Clients Comments: "Rachel is a pleasure to work with. She generates fabulous artistic ideas but always with an eagle eye to the practicalities of the build. Her attention to detail is exceptional, meaning we are delighted with high spec finish on the extension to our family home. Rachel not only designed the building but was there every step of the way us as clients; advising and liaising with material suppliers, engineers and builders to ensure everything went smoothly."

Clients Comments: “Our project, to add a rear extension to our 17th Century stone cottage, has been a labour of love for over 25 years. The cottage, which has been in the family since the mid 1950’s is mid-terraced and located in a conservation area with a typical low roofline and drainage which runs across the back of the property, connecting the cottage with its neighbours. Over the years, and prior to Rachel’s involvement, we had looked at a number of schemes with other professionals, but for various reasons (planning and cost being two of them) we did not take any of them forward.

At an early stage Rachel came up with some initial concept ideas, taking the time to understand what we wanted and what would work for us. Progressing those early concepts into a practical solution was a seamless process - her attention to detail, diligence and consummate skill in determining what would be feasible within the constraints posed by the building and planning process was critical to the project’s success. Rachel’s detailed and high quality CAD drawings aided the process - committing our plans to CAD was a challenge - as those living in an old house will testify, there was not a straight wall in the cottage!

Now that the work is complete, we are delighted with the results. Whilst still retaining the character we love, the building work has transformed both the ground and first floors of the cottage. The new layout cleverly blends the old with the new, providing us with light-filled, relaxing yet practical spaces to enjoy. The garden, which Rachel also helped redesign to complement the extension, provides a wonderful seamless indoor/outdoor space.

Based on our experience we would have no hesitation in recommending Rachel for similar projects”.

Clients Comments: “As the Trustees of an Almshouse Charity we appointed Rachel Luckett as the Architect for a project to replace the external Doors and Windows to the Almshouses in Calverton, Milton Keynes.

The properties are Listed and therefore it was necessary for Rachel to obtain Listed Building Approval, together with the normal Planning and Building Regulation Approvals.

There were particularly difficult discussions and agreements required in relation to the Listed Building Approval, as we required the new glazing to be a double glazed arrangement, which the Local Authority were initially against in basic principle. As the Almshouses are, by definition, for the elderly, it was imperative that this was agreed - Rachel was successful in obtaining all the Approvals in the format which we imposed upon her.

The drawings prepared by Rachel were required to be very detailed, as it was the intention to put them out to Tender to large and small companies.

We found Rachel very personable, suitably formal when required, competent and very easy to deal with.”

Clients Comments: “The key to the success with our building project was that Rachel Luckett proved to be an effective listener which was crucial to achieving our desired goals.  Rachel showed insight and offered positive resolutions to options that we had not considered, for example utilising parts of our current house in the development project.  Not only did she understand our needs, she was respectful of the impact that works undertaken would have on our neighbours which was very important to us.

Rachel provided clarity in her explanation of ideas and she provided us with detailed plans which our contractors found easy to work with.  Hence there was little necessity for us to be involved with the building process.

Rachel helped us to understand the complexities of planning and building regulations and significantly reduced the work that we needed to do in these areas.  This meant that these stages of the project were resolved with minimum effort and fuss.

The end result is that the building work has provided us with a wonderful area to enjoy and relax in and we are very grateful for Rachel’s involvement in this project.”

Clients Comments: “Rachel has worked with me on a complex two part extension and internal knock-through of my conservation area cottage. Her understanding of my needs, and her vision of how to achieve that whilst maintaining the character of the house has been absolutely brilliant. The plans and CAD drawings are of a very high standard and really bring the project to life. She has fantastic attention to detail and great contacts with suppliers, planners and service providers. Highly recommended.”