Summer 2026 Newsletter
— 03 July 2026
Summer heat wave! This used to be headline speculation, now it is our reality. Great if you are on holiday and can cool down, but can be tough for the rest of us.
As architects, we are conscious of heat building up within the built environment and understand how design can be used to improve the quality of our spaces, delivering buildings that are comfortable throughout the year.
We hope you have a joyful summer ahead, providing time to reflect on the importance of your built environment, and your needs. If you have plans to start a new project, do get in touch to discuss how we could help create a peaceful and comfortable environment.
On the Drawing Board
Over the last few months, we have been working on an exciting mix of projects across all the various RIBA work stages.
We have been sketching concept designs for reimagining an existing boat house in Summertown, Oxford, to provide space for a home gym and study area. In the Cotswold we have been crafting designs for a double storey addition to a standout home, the design enhances unrivalled views the house enjoys across rolling hills and rural villages. These are two projects that we are looking forward to advancing on, by submitting planning applications to the local authority for statutory approval. RIBA Stage 3.
Planning (RIBA Stage 3)
We have a number of significant projects within the planning system currently and are using all of our knowledge, skills and network to encourage successful decisions to be made for them all in the not-too-distant future. Its challenging, but we push hard for positive results. Do get in touch if you need experienced assistance navigating the planning system.
Technical Design (RIBA Stage 4)
Over the past few months we have begun, and in some cases completed, RIBA Stage 4 Construction Drawing packages on a number of lovely projects across the Cotswolds, Oxford and London.
RIBA Stage 4 is such an important stage of the design journey for various reasons, but one of them is that the quality of any building always lies within the detail, which is designed into the scheme at this phase and set for the lifetime of the building. For example, those level thresholds, which are often introduced to doors at the junction between the inside and the outside may look simple, but they don’t design and drain themselves! We enjoy detail designing, and the follow up that ensures the design our clients invested in is delivered on site for them to enjoy.
Sometimes, we find our creative design solutions can get value engineered out, if left unchecked during the construction stage. By collaborating closely with all the construction teams, we work hard to ensure any compromise in design is balanced, as there is a risk the value of the building is devalued.
On Site (RIBA Stage 5)
We provide additional services to our clients, such as Contract Administration, Lead Designers, Project Management, Building Regulation and Health & Safety Principal Designer, enabling us to be involved with a project from inception to completion. Making the design and build journey as smooth as possible.
We of course enjoy this involvement at all stages of the design for a variety of reasons but foremost is that it enables us to share in the project journey alongside our clients, and ensures that the investment in design is realised on site.
Site Progress
The construction journey can be long and involved, and it is always exciting as a project nears completion.
Our project in Hertfordshire, a Grade II listed house refurbishment and extension project, is nearing completion and our clients are enjoying discovering the exciting layers of detail within their fully upgraded house.
The journey from drawings to built reality is involved and we like to be there each step of the way for our clients, visiting site up to two times a month to perform various duties, helping to ensure our clients get what they invested in, within the designs.
Practice Thoughts
We strive to be better each day and continually push all aspect of our practice, some aspects are more noticeable than others and it is with great pleasure that we recently upgraded our visual identity to better reflect William Green Architects, which we hope you like.
To coincide with this rebrand we have published two brochures for our clients, collaborators and project owners, detailing our offer and services. The ‘About Us’ brochure is an overview of William Green Architects, discussing the skills, services and sector involvement on offer at the practice. The ‘Home Making’ brochure is tailored to showcase our skills and extensive experience within the high end residential sector.
Please do forward these brochures to all that may benefit from our services, as we continually strive to grow the quality of our offering.