PCA project ‘Highly Commended’ at national awards

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by Sophia Darke

PCA is pleased to announce that The Farmers Arms was ‘Highly Commended’ at the LABC Grand Finals.

The project had already won the Best Small Commercial Project at the regional LABC awards and was highly commended at the RICS Awards, South West.

We worked alongside Anthony Branfield Carpentry & Building Ltd, Jonathan Rhind Architects, MXB Devon Operations Ltd, Hannah Lohan Interiors, Michael Grubb Studio and Rathbone Partnership to rescue this dilapidated village pub bought by tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Bebo, Michael Birch.

PCA celebrates 40th anniversary

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by Sophia Darke

PCA Consulting Engineers is celebrating its 40th year as a firm of structural, conservation and civil engineers.

Established in 1979 by Paul Carpenter, the Kingsbridge-based independent business has grown in both size and reputation to provide a friendly, considered and highly professional service.

Now under the leadership of directors Andrew Horton, Ross Carpenter and Sophia Darke, PCA works mainly in the South West with the region’s leading contractors and architects assisting with both commercial and residential projects of all sizes.

Among PCA’s most notable recent projects has been the conservation work for National Trust properties St Michael’s’ Mount, Killerton House and Greenway alongside new-build projects such as the award-winning Dar Gwenen, in Cornwall, and the luxury riverside development, The Yealm.

Andrew said: “I have been with PCA for 22 years and am proud to work for a firm that has stood the test of time for four decades and continues to strive for the best possible outcomes for our clients.

“PCA has won numerous awards during this time but has also nurtured the careers of many young engineers and technicians.”

PCA currently offers the services of eight engineers and three technicians supported by finance director Sophia and an administration team.

Andrew added: “The engineering side of construction may not always be the most obvious element of any building or conservation project, but our comprehensive advice and our pragmatic solutions ensure these projects are entirely fit for purpose, while meeting the design requirements of the client and their architect. This work ethic has served us well for 40 years and hope it will serve us just as well for another 40!”

Cold weather working

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by Andrew Horton

With November shaping up to be the coldest since 2010 and the Met Office already predicting the coldest winter for 50 years, it is worth noting the constraints of cold weather working.

While locally we rarely experience prolonged periods of freezing temperatures, it is important that specifiers and contractors are fully aware of cold weather working.

This may include protecting newly-laid concrete from frost, avoiding laying masonry units in falling temperatures (below or likely to fall below 2°C) or using suitable materials for site-mixed concrete. Temperatures should be checked throughout the day on a thermometer.

Although the temptation is to pop your hard hat on top of your woolly hat, remember that this may compromise the fit of the hat. Manufacturer-approved head warmers are available that can safely be worn under a hard hat, so you still get a good fit for your safety helmet without compromising its effectiveness.

If in doubt, please do give us a call and PCA can advise as necessary and ensure any structural works are not affected by cold weather.

PCA backs KRFC Scrummies Lunch 2019

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by Sophia Darke

PCA is backing Kingsbridge Rugby Football Club’s Scrummies Lunch 2019.

The event will take place from 12pm on Saturday, October 5th, and is an opportunity for women to come and enjoy a drink or two and a lovely lunch followed by a game of 1st team rugby at High House (KO 3pm).

Tickets are £17.50 and include a drink on arrival and the buffet lunch. Funds raised from the day will be split between the club and St Luke’s Hospice.

Please support this event if you can. It’s a good opportunity to introduce a few friends to the joys of rugby!

Contact me via the Scrummies Facebook page to express your interest or contact me on 07989 989622.

 

 

PCA director ties the knot

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by Sophia Darke

Andy Horton and bride Becs Evans tie the knotCongratulations to PCA director Andrew Horton who married his lovely bride Becs Evans at St Mary the Virgin Church in Diptford at the weekend.

Both Salcombe Rowing Club gig rowers, Andy and Becs were honoured with a guard of honour of fellow rowers holding the club’s ceremonial oars.

The couple then celebrated their big day with more than 90 family and friends at East Soar Outdoor Experience.

A big congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Horton from everyone at PCA.

New entrance and new wall to improve access

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by Andrew Horton

This residential project required a widened entrance and replacement garden wall due to the dilapidated state of the existing masonry wall constructed from random rubble.

The existing narrow entrance to this property was restricted further to a substantially leaning stonework wall, so planning was obtained through architects Andrew Lethbridge Associates to round off the entrance and improve access with a wall suitable to retain the garden.

PCA worked with local landscaping contractor Andrew Rhymes, of TimberJack, to construct a hollow block, reinforced, concrete wall with a stone face to replicate the existing structure and provide a far improved entrance.

We can help with projects big or small and always keen to work with local contractors and architects to give the client a superbly finished scheme such as this.

Want to extend your bungalow with a first floor?

On
by Ross Carpenter

This bungalow conversion and extension came with a brief for open-plan living within a new first floor.

Drafting software to a dd a first floor to a bungalow Using modern analysis and drafting software, PCA was able to achieve a fantastic open and vaulted space.

Existing foundations and walls needed to be verified for the addition of a first floor and the upper new floor incorporates a fairly slender steel frame with timber infill panels.

The architect’s client is aiming for a ‘passive house’ level of insulation and air tightness, so the integration of new and existing structures has been carefully detailed.

We’re very pleased to be working with JSD Architectural Design on another exciting and rewarding project.

New premises for Selworthy Veterinary Group

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by Ross Carpenter

This existing agricultural building has been converted into a veterinary practice for Selworthy Veterinary Group.

Architects Andrew Lethbridge successfully gained planning approval to convert the redundant steel framed farmer’s shed.

Selworthy Vets beforeThe challenge was designing the new elements of the building, such as the first floor, insulated walls and roof, around the original steel framed structure.

This was all achieved with careful thought and use of different building solutions and additions to the structure.

Selworthy Vets duringLilburn & Elliott Construction was the main contractor on the project, who successfully undertook the building and conversion work to give Selworthy a great building designed around their needs and future growth.

 

PCA has undertaken many building conversion projects over the years, mostly for residential purposes, but also commercial, office use and retail. Working with a local veterinary practice was a learning curve and one which we’re proud off. We wish Selworthy all the best in their new premises.

Award success for PCA projects

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by Sophia Darke

PCA is pleased to announce that two of their projects were winners at the recent LABC Regional Building Excellence Awards.

The award ceremony was attended by 350 guests at the Crowne Plaza Plymouth on May 24.

Dar Gwenen view from aboveThe winner of the Best Individual New Home was Dar Gwenen. We worked with contractors Doyle & Whitley Ltd and Harrison Sutton Architects on this project to build a unique coastal home in Downderry, Cornwall.

The Farmers ArmsMeanwhile, the winner of the Best Small Commercial Project was The Farmers Arms in Woolsery, Devon.

We worked alongside Anthony Branfield Carpentry & Building Ltd, Jonathan Rhind Architects, MXB Devon Operations Ltd, Hannah Lohan Interiors, Michael Grubb Studio and Rathbone Partnership to rescue a dilapidated village pub bought by tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Bebo, Michael Birch.

This project had also been highly commended at the RICS Awards, South West held on May 22.

Dar Gwenen front viewBoth projects will be entered into the LABC Grand Finals, which will take place in London on November 8.

Director Andrew Horton said: “These projects demonstrate the diversity of expertise within PCA. We are equally happy working on a conservation project as we are on a new build. We will keep our fingers crossed for the Grand Finals and extend our congratulations to all the other firms that we worked alongside on Dar Gwenen and The Farmers Arms.”

Projects shortlisted for RICS Awards

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by Sophia Darke

PCA Consulting Engineers is delighted to see projects the firm has worked on being shortlisted for the RICS Awards 2019, South West.

Furzy Close - shortlisted for RICS AwardsRICS Awards recognise excellence in the built environment and showcase the successes of RICS professionals and their impact on local communities. The South West ceremony will be held at the Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre on May 22.

The Farmers Arms in Woolsery, Bideford, has been shortlisted for both the Building Conservation and Tourism & Leisure categories, while Furzy Close in Polzeath, Cornwall, has been selected for the Residential shortlist.

PCA worked with Jonathan Rhind Architects on The Farmers Arms to rescue a dilapidated village pub bought by tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Bebo Michael Birch.

PCA project shortlisted for RICS AwardsMeanwhile, Furzy Close is a contemporary, low energy holiday home, designed by Bodmin-based architects ARCO2.

PCA director Andrew Horton said: “It’s great to see these two very different projects get the recognition they deserve. While one is about conserving an older building to breathe life into the heart of a village, the other is about modernity and eco-living. We look forward to seeing how they do and congratulate the architects and contractors we worked with on both these very successful projects.”

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