Andrew Kirby Architects - AK.A

29/11/2025

Natural building materials have always been a central value at Andrew Kirby Architects Ltd. Although not exclusively, as we work to clients briefs and requirements, but when it’s what a client wants, it delights the design and construction process and comes easy to us.

This embraced natural materials with timber frame and woodfibre systems, but also an incredible earth and straw thermal / trombe wall slicing through the centre of the home at a level change. This is now rendered in clay ready for final finishing. One side of it is the wall to a walk in shower room. I can’t wait to see that and if I’m honest, quite jealous!

The humble architect journey continues and when I reflect on it, I’m really glad I’ve stuck to a series of principles and values that have helped make buildings I’m really proud of, despite a world of uncertainty on nett zero.

30/01/2025

Somerset Council has boosted plans by two West Country practices for a major new neighbourhood in Frome.

23/01/2025

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/23/frome-residents-win-five-year-battle-for-community-led-housing-project?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0Fz2JAYirjFCmejGwc5K_k_jYpyHhKqKAJ7dwEaXYY-1EnVQqb-DUQA1o_aem_VLt5871dAlFALuaC-4kJRQ

This is an incredible achievement for our client after a long fought campaign to win this very important site for Frome.

AK Architects worked with Mayday Saxonvale as lead architect and consultant to develop an alternative masterplan for the redevelopment of this central brownfield site, to demonstrate the benefit of a community driven scheme, over that of a generic profit based development that was being pushed onto the community.

We have been working on community ownership development models for over 20 years now and this result represents the pinnacle of our work to date.

The results speak for themselves with our scheme now the only viable scheme to take forward for the site. Here’s to the future of community ownership.

Mayday Saxonvale scheme is given the go-ahead after an extraordinary meeting of Somerset council executive

04/10/2024

We are really proud to have worked with DRA for the new Dartington outdoor pool planning application. Another great example of community work in the area for the health and wellbeing of communities.

Planning for the pool at Meadowbrook is open for consultation!

It will really help if our supporters comment on the plans with your reasons for supporting the redevelopment of the pool!

South Hams District Council
Planning reference 2408/24/FUL
https://southhams.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/2408/24/FUL

19/10/2023

We are delighted for our valued and determined clients Mayday Saxonvale for achieving this landmark position for the Saxonvale Site, Frome. Andrew Kirby Architects Ltd worked with Mayday for an alternative, community led vision and subsequent planning permission for this important town centre site.

This process was coupled with a judicial review against an inappropriate developer led planning permission, which has now been quashed, leaving only our scheme to take forward for the site.

This is a huge moment and message for the power of communities campaigning and working hard to deliver on their needs and values, over the profit driven principles of mainstream developers.

We are very proud to have set our practice values around supporting and facilitating community led development and are excited about the next steps of this important project.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-67133419?fbclid=IwAR2f5pCfdsWnH_6rkPxyG7tKpD5iyoC8oSVqsNA76MikeSxsof0VivGAqbI

A developer says it will seek fresh planning permission for the Saxonvale site after the judge's ruling.

07/08/2023

Adults: “Why don’t kids play outside anymore, like we used to do?”

The outside we have created for them:

20/06/2023

An extraordinary campaign by local residents led to the transformation of our 13-acre site.

13/06/2023

EXCITING UPDATE!

This Friday 16 June at 7pm @ Seven Stars Ballroom

TCDS in partnership with Andrew Kirby Architects - AK.A will be updating the community on:

• The groundbreaking ATMOS project
• The Pre-Application for planning.
• The New Planning Application submitted by Fastglobe.

Seats are limited. Register to attend via the link below. 🙏
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWvVsOxpVwTerS27ILbssb8ZxH2kurJSXwwUKVz8j1-UfykQ/viewform

Please share and get the word out.

09/06/2023

Exciting progress at AK Andrew Kirby Architects - AK.A

17/03/2023

I completely share David Chipperfield' view on talent. Good architecture and development comes more from drive, belief and values. This is how I run my office. There is no lead talent, and given my background, nothing intimidates me.

In this interview, Pritzker Architecture Prize-winner David Chipperfield explains how his determination makes up for a lack of talent.