Thomas Studio News

“You cannot simply put something new into a place. You have to absorb what is around you, what exists on the land, and then use that knowledge.”

Tadao Ando

Popular Articles

  • Rural Land for Sale England: The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Buying Self-Build Plots in the Countryside

    Rural Land for Sale England: The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Buying Self-Build Plots in the Countryside

    Rural Land for Sale England – A Complete Guide to Finding and Buying Self-Build Plots in the Countryside Estimated reading time: 10 minutes Key Takeaways Rural England offers increasing opportunities for self-build projects in picturesque settings. Understanding the self-build movement is crucial for aspiring builders. Finding suitable land involves multiple strategies, including registering with local…

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  • Planning Permission Countryside Home: A Comprehensive Guide to Building in Open Countryside England

    Planning Permission Countryside Home: A Comprehensive Guide to Building in Open Countryside England

    Planning Permission Countryside Home: What You Need to Know Before Building in Open Countryside (England) Estimated reading time: 12 minutes Key Takeaways Building a home in the English countryside requires careful navigation of stricter planning permissions compared to urban areas. Understanding settlement boundaries and the legal framework is crucial for successful planning applications. Paragraph 84e…

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  • How to Get Planning Permission on Land: Your Step-by-Step Guide for England and Wales

    How to Get Planning Permission on Land: Your Step-by-Step Guide for England and Wales

    How to Get Planning Permission on Land: Your Step-by-Step Guide for England and Wales Estimated reading time: 10 minutes Key Takeaways Understanding planning permission is crucial for land development in England and Wales. Approximately 75% of planning permissions are approved with proper application. Knowing when you need planning permission and preparing a solid application boosts…

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  • How to write a brief for your architect

    How to write a brief for your architect

    We believe great buildings can only come from a great brief! If you are planning a self-build project and you are considering hiring an architect to help you realise your dream home, it is going to be important to getting the briefing process right. At Thomas Studio we have prepared a FREE guide to help…

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How to write a brief for your architect

We believe great buildings can only come from a great brief! If you are planning a self-build project and you are considering hiring an architect to help you realise your dream home, it is going to be important to getting

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Self build house in open countryside

About the project This dream self build house in open countryside is a triumph, as planning laws make it all but impossible to gain approval. However, the ‘all-but impossible’ – is at the cutting edge of the self build opportunity,

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Can I get planning permission in my garden?

10 Tips How to Get Planning Permission in Your Garden - Expert Guide 2025 Architect Garry Thomas sets out his 10 top tips for how to get planning permission in your garden, based on over 15 years of successful garden

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Can You Convert a Dutch Barn into a House?

Can You Convert a Dutch Barn into a House? Many people looking to live in the countryside dream of converting an agricultural building — and Dutch barns often catch the eye. But can you convert a Dutch barn into a

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Dutch Barn Conversion in Herefordshire

Dutch Barn Conversion in Herefordshire - Kimbolton This Dutch barn conversion in Herefordshire represents a pivotal project at Thomas Studio - a successful Dutch barn conversion that established our reputation as a leading specialist in this field. Architect Garry Thomas

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Dutch Barn Conversion For Duchy of Lancaster

Dutch Barn Conversion for Duchy of Lancaster Thomas Studio was commissioned by the Duchy of Lancaster to unlock the planning potential of a 1920s Dutch barn located at Forest Road Farm in Draycott in the Clay, East Staffordshire. This prestigious

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How to Self-Build a Home in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Self-Build a Home in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide Estimated reading time: 13 minutes Key Takeaways Self-building a home in the UK offers flexibility, cost savings, and the opportunity for a bespoke design. Challenges include finding land, navigating

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How to Self-Build a Home in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Self-Build a Home in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide Estimated reading time: 12 minutes Key Takeaways Building your own home in the UK offers creative freedom and potential cost savings compared to buying from developers. Understanding each step—from finding

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