Since our formation in 1992, Gale and Snowden have become leaders in environmentally-conscious design, consistently accepting only those briefs that meet the principles of sustainable architecture. We are recognised – and are award winners – for our innovation and quality of output. We pride ourselves on the excellence of our working relationships with clients. Our services are, as you would expect, tailor-made for each individual project to achieve high calibre architecture within the budget we’ve agreed at outset. As acknowledged specialists in ecological construction, Gale & Snowden architects work anywhere in the country: we have two offices in the south-west and also regularly lead projects in London and elsewhere around the UK.

Working with the client

For successful design, it is essential that the client’s needs are clearly understood. At the inception, we encourage a full and candid discussion between architect and client. That continues subsequently with the design team and contractor to ensure complete clarity around the brief and to check that all feasible options have been sufficiently considered. With an initial brief established, we will suggest a number of design alternatives for review with the client, allowing the brief to be tested against criteria such as cost, site conditions and planning issues.

Design options will then be evolved until a definitive solution has been identified. As the project goes forward, more detailed designs will be produced, all with the client’s close involvement.

That close collaboration continues throughout the design and building process and includes extensive post-construction support, including guidance on achieving low environmental impact through to buildings maintenance and cleaning.

Partnering

Although we are fully experienced in running projects with a variety of building contractors, Gale & Snowden prefer, where possible, a partnering basis. This means that the client, contractor and design team work together from the outset. We have successfully used partnering contracts, including PPC 2000, on a number of our projects.

Design team

Gale & Snowden have developed a network of key professionals including quantity surveyors, structural engineers, services engineers and lighting and other specialists. Working whenever we can with largely the same group of professionals over time helps ensure not only that our own team keeps abreast of all relevant environmental design matters but also that best value can be achieved for the client.

Craftspeople

With clients’ interests in mind, we have also established quality working relationships with teams of well-proven craftsmen and women such as cabinetmakers, joiners, heating installers and electricians.