CSA Architects

Latest News

Spring 2008

Spring 2008:

Csa architects have settled into their new offices in Truro, and celebrated the one year anniversary of the move, in February. The new facility has proved to be very successful for the company; with ample visitor car parking being convenient for client's and design team meetings. Investing in state of the art technology, the company has invested in an interactive digital white board, for interactive presentations with clients and consultants alike. This has also proved to be a very useful tool for internal design reviews and CPD seminars. Since relocating to Truro, the company has reinforced it's position as one of the largest architectural practices in Cornwall. Successful recruitment, combined with attractive and accessible new offices has attracted new clients, seeking to take advantage of csa's exceptional customer service and bespoke approach to site specific architectural design; the true essence of architecture.

Environmental/Sustainable Architectural Awareness:

The practice has further established it's position as one of the pioneering architectural firms pursuing and promoting environmental building designs. The concept of a small housing development, incorporating a building designed to Code 6 level, from the recently adapted Code for Sustainable Homes, replacing EcoHomes. This top level design and specification won favour with the local planning authority, sailing through the planning process, gaining approval within a 7 week period. Csa's commitment to sustainable architecture was recognised by the Chartered Institute of Building, who asked the company to present a talk to their members at the National Maritime Museum, Falmouth, in January. Justin Dodge, Jeremy Bradley and Susan Wieck talked about key topics including Sustainable Planning, with specific reference to the new National and Regional Planning Policy documents, Waste Management & Recycling, as well as Environmental Building design, focusing on the Code for Sustainable Homes.
In addition to a number of high profile environmental residential schemes, the company is also involved with the concept design and planning applications for two major commercial office developments, designed to achieve an "Excellent" BREEAM rating. The company has also recently achieved an "Excellent" BREEAM rating for a new industrial unit with associated offices in Falmouth, the first of it's kind in Cornwall, proving that not only residential developments are striving to achieve the best practice sustainable design principles. Csa are also involved with a pioneering project to design and build a new biogas plant in central Cornwall, waste to energy, which will produce enough electricity to power 1,500 homes and free heat for up to 300 nearby homes.

Planning for the Future:

With the formation of "One Cornwall", the new unitary authority for the county, planned for April 2009, csa have been seconded to provide assistance, as part of a steering group, representing the private sector, to assist with the formation of the new planning & development services. As such, this expert local knowledge is proving invaluable to existing and new clients to prepare planning applications, for determination, prior to April 09. In addition, csa have strong links with housing associations and developers, to deliver affordable housing. 2008 has seen plans within csa offices for more than 500 affordable dwellings, promoting the companies diverse capabilities. This has proved imperative for the development of all residential schemes, given the ever-changing policies adopted by local authorities, promoted by central government. Again, csa have been invited to be part of a steering committee for the delivery of affordable housing in Cornwall, which further promotes the company's links and capabilities for mixed use developments within the county.

csa-social:
With the successful creation of the csa cup, 5 a-side football tournament, the 2nd bi-annual cup, held at Cornwall College, was a great success, with competition for places, 12 teams competed on the night, with the event being won, again, by Carrick District Council, the defending champions. Csa, improved on their previous position, of finishing last, by finishing 9th! However, the enjoyment of the event prompted csa to enter a weekly league, 6 a-side, the team joined the Truro "Premiership" which proved a little too tough, seeing the team relegated into the "Championship" although a quarter final in the cup was the highlight of the season.
The csa social committee arranged a tour of Skinner's Brewery in Truro, for a relaxed evening, and have many more event planned for the year.
Jeremy Bradley founded the "Cornwall Young Architect's Network" (CYAN) to encourage all architects/technicians in the industry to get together, based around sociable event. Starting in August 2007, with "Ultimate Frisbee" on Perranporth Beach, the event and membership has gone from strength to strength, with over 40 members from most local practices attending, meetings once a month have been very successful. The group have also been involved in Badminton, Laser combat, climbing, 10 pin bowling and, most recently, fencing.