Hyde + Hyde Architects

These guys deliver! They also go above and beyond. If you want cutting edge contemporary architecture, a high level of originality while still delivering to your own brief they can do it. Funnily enough the best piece of space they created for us was not any kind of grand gesture but a simple dining room/living/ working space where the proportions are just so right that it is great to just be there. Very energising.

I contacted Kristian and Kay back in 2011, once I came across their website I knew at once they were the architects I wanted to design my new home. After a visit to my existing home and discussions about what designs were wanted, they went away and came up with a fantastic design. They sorted all building regulations and planning details and produced a full set of construction drawings, and then overseen the building works As the build has in effect been a self build so has taken longer, they have been more than helpful with any queries and called to site whenever needed. Although the house is not quite finished, the design has brought some fantastic comments from everyone who has visited, well done to you both and your team.

The architectural services provided by Hyde and Hyde took the project from initial concept, through planning approval, building regulations and construction drawings. The construction was managed on site by a separate team led by an experienced Project Manager engaged directly by the home owner. The building is of modest size of around 180 sm, over three storeys including a basement for storage and the significant mechanical and electrical services. Hyde and Hyde were able to take on board our outline and slightly “cutting edge” concepts for our home and in a very sensitive environmental area on the south Gower coast produce a design acceptable to strict planning constraints; which whilst unique at the time in the area, has become the accepted architectural style for several new builds since then. It is great to live in a home that complete strangers and neighbours regularly compliment us on and has won several Welsh and UK prestigious architectural awards and nominations including the 2015 RIBA National Award, one of 39 UK buildings listed including those subsequently nominated for the Stirling Prize for Architecture short list. This publicity has led to several requests to appear on primetime TV, although we have not always agreed to these for privacy considerations. Whilst the wider recognition of our house has been very welcome, albeit somewhat humbling in the context of other buildings with which we have been associated, this is to some extent insignificant compared with how the house works as a home. Now in our fifth year living here it is very clear that Hyde and Hyde have designed a home that goes well beyond our original expectations, creating an extremely efficient space which completely meets the requirements of our day to day lifestyle.

We initially approached Hyde and Hyde for our project as we loved their unique, contemporary designs. Once we met them we knew they were the team we wanted to work with as they totally understood what we wanted and approached the house design around how we lived our lives. We were concerned about planning, particularly as the house is located on the Gower peninsula, but they expertly navigated the process and got us our dream. They added a dimension of design detail that I would never have imagined and ensured that their vision was delivered for us by our teams onsite. Hyde and Hyde challenged us throughout the design process, with lots of debate, but we are delighted with the outcome and absolutely love our new home that wouldn't have been created without their amazing work.