Testimonials
The Gray House
PDM Architecture has created for us a contemporary family living and working space beyond our expectations. With its contemporary design built in a sensitive area (within a Conservation Area and overlooked by a Grade I listed building), the house has provoked debate, controversy and support from all sides of the community. The brief was to design an open plan family house that would meet our changing needs over many years to come. It needed to have loads of light and enough space for children and adults alike.
To further add to his challenge, we wanted as many environmental and sustainable design and build features as possible. We had a very tight budget and a plot with existing tin roofed buildings built from a mix of block-work, cob and stone all of which had to be integrated into the final design.
Designing and building a house requires a successful two-way client/architect relationship. PDM Design offered really useful advice and techniques to help us identify and communicate our needs and design preferences. The design, (including clear plans and a model), and the application submission demonstrated great professionalism and understanding of the bureaucratic framework that is our planning process.
Devon Contract Waste
Phil has looked after all our projects over the last 20 years most of which are substantial including our new project in Exeter, which is just awesome. My design idea in my head that Phil translated to exactly what I envisaged but far better.
He will tell you things about what things cost that you won’t want to hear but I promise you he is always right however he always finds alternatives in terms of finishes that look great but won’t scare you so much.
He totally understands the environment he works with on each project and has a great flare for out there design if you are feeling creative and brave.
I always enjoy working with Phil on projects even if he tells me costs I don’t want to hear either but frustratingly he’s always right..
— Simon @ Devon Contract Waste
Fore Street
For us working with pdm was an extremely collaborative process, which is what we were hoping for in an architect. Phil refused to be cowed by the stifling conventions of the latter day “vernacular”. Working within the confines set by the local “Preservation Society”, he was able to make bold design statements which made reference to the nautical history of the town. But he was also able to do this without creating crass hackneyed motifs.
We had a fairly clear idea on how we wanted to proceed and at each turn Phil would steer us in a creative and functional direction that produced wonderful results. Each decision Phil made adhered to the core concept of creating space and light from a small and dark starting point. Phil has a tremendous sense of materials and works hard to ensure that the integrity of his design is enhanced with judicious and intelligent use of wood, glass and stainless steel. We were on a very constrained budget and at no point did Phil take advantage of this. He always stuck to the original brief and was tireless in ensuring that we achieved the greatest artistic impact from ingenious detailing.
We hope that when we are in a position to do it, Phil will be given full creative license to design and build our dream home.
The Strand
The brief was to renovate a Grade I listed house sited within a high profile conservation area whilst adding to the living space in a contemporary way - creating excitement from the juxtaposition of old and new. PDM Architecture succeeded.
The ideas incorporated into the design, the use of materials and light have a huge impact on anyone entering the building - and they were able to retain the atmosphere of my home. I would always recommend Philip for adventurous and sensitive projects.
What I hadn't appreciated before we started was how invaluable Philip would be in his astute and professional management of the building team, our neighbours, the suppliers and the local authorities - not to mention the Customer! I look forward to the possibility of working with them again.
Manor Lodge
The house is fantastic and we are really happy with it. Gadds have turned out to be a really good builder and we have an excellent relationship with them which is pretty amazing considering that Andrew Gadd, the eponymous owner, very sadly passed away last year so his no 2 has had to step into the breach and rescue things.
What we are planning to do, assuming that all restrictions are lifted on 19th July, is to have a tea party and tour of the premises for all the people that have had an involvement in the project - a sort of Mad Builder’s party where everyone can see inside at how their efforts have helped to create the building and also network with each other. Obviously, you are on our list to invite and I hope you will be able to join us.
It is a truly stunning house.
What I am sure would amuse you is the reaction of people on the golf course who haven’t seen the property before. We frequently see golfers staring open mouthed at the property, pointing to various features & then taking photographs. Many of the golfers now call it the Poirot home!
Haldon View
My wife and I engaged Phil from pdm architecture to design and help project manage the transformation of our ugly 1960s house, poorly extended in the early 80s into a fabulous modern home which draws much praise from all who visit, especially those who saw it in its former guise.
He deftly harnessed our vision into a deliverable, achievable and affordable project, which remained within budget. He cleverly dismissed our initial scheme as too expensive and perhaps unnecessary and his subsequent suggestions were intelligent and some might say, inspired. He was most effective in his ability to inject discipline into the construction phase, ensuring that all “emergent” additional work was fully costed and controlled, and kept within the overall project budget. He was also superb in acting as a communication conduit between us as customers and the lead builder and his subcontractors. He brought much needed structure and professionalism to the project in this approach.
We would recommend him as an architect of vision, a man of considerable tact and humour, and also as a skilful negotiator and project manager.
Ross Albon CBE and Sally Albon.
Exe Dene
When we bought a maisonette in a listed Georgian building, we liked the river view from the balcony and the dilapidated oculus at the end of a corridor. The rest of the apartment was dark, drab and sad - the result of a poor 1962 conversion that had never been upgraded.
With his creativity, professional knowledge and sensitive understanding of period buildings, Phil’s vision transformed a mishmash of cramped, depressing rooms into a newly-functional contemporary home. He relocated the stairs, brought pointless corridors back into use and gifted us light and space in every room. Upstairs, where there had previously been a narrow, shoulder-high crawlway linking the bedrooms, there’s now a new, spacious landing with room to breathe.
Phil ticked all the boxes. He listened to our requirements and ideas and translated them into reality in a way we could never have imagined. He gave us honest and practical advice throughout, found the perfect builder for the job and travelled alongside us throughout the project. We could not have asked for a better architect. Thank you sooo much, Phil!
Gill & Alan.