Testimonials
Stewart & Fiona, Stamford Road
Their clever design and attention to detail added significantly to the value of the finished property and we could never have achieved this on our own.
We used Paul Testa Architecture to help us remodel a tired 1930’s house with lots of small dark rooms into a stunning bright and airy modern home.
Their vision was fantastic, adding a full height front extension to bring the stairs out of the central footprint, creating extra space and bringing light to the previously dark front spaces. This created a full height entrance hall and helped give us two extra rooms in a previously small attic space.
Internally, they tied all the spaces together with clever design features giving us a house where every space is used and the house is quite literally a joy to live in!
Jo & Gail, The Hen House
Paul Testa Architecture immediately understood our motivation and vision, and his experience of sustainable build led us to decide Passivhaus design was the route for us.
One of the most enjoyable and creative parts of the project was the design-phase, which was a truly collaborative, iterative process. Paul wasn’t in the slightest precious, and never played the ‘but I’m the Architect card’! He was also very patient as we went through the various pros and cons of flat roof versus pitched, wood burner or not etc, listening to our ideas and trying to steer us to the right solution for us and the site, rather than for him.
Mark & Clare, Cinder Bridge
Paul Testa Architecture were there to help us throughout our project, from the very first draft of the plans right through to completion.
Their bold vision for our ideas enabled us to see beyond the limits of the original site towards the end result, which is a beautifully rendered space for living in.
Always helpful, reassuring and supportive Paul and his team were a key part of our renovation and if we ever undertake another project where we need an architect, they will be the first people we speak to.
Terry Huggett, Terry Huggett Developments, Mexborough
I can honestly say working with Paul and his team is truly fabulous.
I’ve worked with Paul on a number of occasions and his approach on delivering a quality, sustainable build is second to none. He is pragmatic and skilled when detailing a very complex airtight build solution, this makes for ease of installation on site and in turn makes for a better home for his clients.
His designs are beautiful and practical and the detailed working information is clear and comprehensive. I can highly recommend Paul Testa and his team of highly skilled architects.
John and Jean, Sycamore Hall
We have already recommended PTA without qualification to other people looking for architects and designers, and will continue to do so.
When we relocated from London to the Sheffield area, our aim was a future-proofed sustainable retirement home – full of light, warm, economic and easy to live in. On the basis of PTA’s website and meeting Paul, we had no hesitation in engaging them to design and project manage the work on a bungalow with stunning views of the Peak District, but in need of refurbishment and remodelling. We are now in a house that more than meets our aims and exceeds our expectations, and we are very happy.
Throughout the work, we had a close and very positive working relationship with PTA, which was genuinely two-way.
PTA’s knowledge and expertise were essential in delivering the final result. Maximising the light and views, use of space, making the building warm, healthy and a pleasure to live in. The spaces both inside and out are designed to both look good and make movement and access very easy now and in the future. We were also fortunate to have a good builder, Terry Huggett Developments, working closely with PTA as project manager.
Much of the good design is summed up in the living room main window and box seat – economically enlarging an existing window space, and transforming it into one of the centre pieces of the building, both visually and functionally. Young and old are drawn to it, they love it.
PTA’s contribution was not just about the big issues of thermal efficiency; it is a well-designed space, a warm and healthy building that is also future-proofed.
They were very helpful in navigating us through the different stages of the build – design, tender, contract, completion. They also dealt with the planning permission process for a building that was in a Conservation Zone, and a few hundred metres from the National Park boundary. They helped in the process of cutting some costs, without compromising any of the essentials, when the initial tenders came in over our budget. They suggested possible options and this including calculating the effect on thermal efficiency of each potential cut, which was invaluable in the decision process.
During the works, we were not physically close to the site but we remained in good contact throughout the different stages, in addition to the regular site meetings PTA organised. We always found them very approachable, helpful and responsive.
PTA’s collaborative approach was not just with us or Terry Huggett Developments. They work with like-minded professionals in the S1 Design Collective, who provided our structural engineer and garden/landscape designer. A very good, additional service.
From our own experience, we can fully vouchsafe for the information on the PTA website about their values and approach, design ethos and their services – they are and do what they say. Most importantly, they have been essential in helping to deliver for us our new home, which more than speaks for itself and is the best possible recommendation.
