A new venture that aims to promote the best of Welsh design and take the guesswork out of planning building projects has been launched.
The Architectural Briefing Company (ABC) is the brainchild of Jan Milsom, the man behind the painstaking restoration of Sea View, Dylan Thomas’ former home in Laugharne.
Jan hopes that ABC will help to raise standards of design and construction as well as making it easier for people with no experience of building projects to plan improvements to their homes or business premises.
Along the way, he hopes to raise a lot of money for charity as for every client ABC takes on, the company will make a donation to housing and homelessness charity Shelter Cymru.
The idea behind the venture is that ABC will work with clients to draw up a detailed brief of the building or design work required. This brief is then sent to a selection of architects or design professionals, who will put forward proposals and an outline of costs.
The client can then make an informed decision about which professional they feel is best suited to carry out their project. The service is free to clients – ABC will take a commission from the successful design team appointed.
Jan explains:
“Even small building projects can cost thousands of pounds, so you want to be sure that you’re getting the best person for the job, but very few people have the time or background knowledge to assess all the different design and planning options out there.
“ABC will bring together some of the best architects and designers in Wales, especially small, independent firms, to ensure that whatever kind of building project you have in mind, you will have all the information you need to make the right choice.”
Jan has previously been involved in the Architect in the House scheme, which raises money for Shelter across the UK, and this prompted the connection with Shelter Cymru.
“Shelter Cymru is very much a Welsh charity and as someone who is very proud of their Welsh heritage, I am keen to support their work. I share their view that everyone has the right not to be homeless and I hope that ABC can help their work to improve housing and prevent homelessness in Wales.”
Andrew Jones, fundraising manager at Shelter Cymru, said: “This is a really exciting project and we were thrilled when Jan approached us. We believe that it takes more than bricks and mortar to make a home and Jan’s obvious passion for good quality, sustainable buildings fits well with our vision that everyone in Wales should have the right to a decent home.”
Last year, Shelter Cymru helped around 15,000 people with housing problems and prevented homelessness in 90 per cent of relevant cases.
