Why Use Us

Our practice is fully committed to an ongoing dialogue between clients and ourselves to establish, maintain and improve links, goals and awareness for the benefit of the end result as satisfied client and a successful building.

Though we are a strongly design focused practice we have always held a belief that design adds value rather than cost. Our client relationships are almost all well established with the majority returning to work with us for subsequent projects. We involve our clients fully in the design process and value their input.

We are committed to effective, adaptive and useable design.

Clients:

Clients are to be valued and maintained through product satisfaction. They are to be involved in all aspects of the design and construction process. Clients are to be encouraged to formulate and challenge through discussion and example a strong and active brief for their project. Clients are to expect and to have delivered a strong architectural response to their project aspirations. Clients are to be encouraged to widen their core values when necessary through debate and example.

Ideology:

Design should add quality and value to experience and not necessarily cost. The design is the shared responsibility of designer and client/user. The product should enhance the lives of the onlooker and specifically those of the users. Design quality and input is not dependant on contact size or value. The designer has a responsibility to the wider environment as well as the client. The Practice should promote and educate good and sustainable design. The design solution is the response to the brief, the site and the user and not to dogma.

Services:

We have the team to give Client confidence in his Consultant. We have a proven track record of projects to demonstrate our merit. Every project is important to us. We have the ability to react and adapt our available workforce to suit the project. We strive to ensure that Clients continue using us because of their satisfaction with our product Through continued analysis and review we strive to improve

Address and CSDP architects design team
CSDP, Cattell Skinner Design Partnership. The Studio, 15 Tudor Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3SY

Keith Cattell Dip.Arch RIBA - Director keith@csdparchitecture.com
Keith has over 30 years of professional experience in architecture. His design expertise and flair are well recognised in all types of projects. Particular involvement in educational and residential/urban design schemes though well versed in almost every architectural requirement the client may suggest.

Steve Skinner Dip.Arch RIBA - Director steve@csdparchitecture.com
Qualified for over 28 years Steve combines his architectural design work with day to day practice management requirements. He is involved in residential and commercial work for the practice.

Phil Andrews - Associate Director/Senior Technologist phil@csdparchitecture.com
Phil maintains the practice technical standards and knowledge base as well as being the senior technical coordinator in the team. He has worked with Keith and Steve for over 30 years and has considerable experience in both the private residential and the social housing fields of work.

Dan Town - Associate Director/Technologist dan@csdparchitecture.com
Dan is the main technical contact for many clients in the educational sector as well as working with many of our private residential sector clients.. He shares the IT coordinating role in the office with Steve.

Sarah Lees Dip.Arch - Project Architect sarah@csdparchitecture.com
As project architect for many schemes clients will find Sarah to be a great ally in the processing of their projects from design through to completion.

Victoria Seager - Office Manager/PA to the Directors Victoria@csdparchitecture.com
Victoria’s twin roles as Office Manager and Personal assistant to the Directors make her an important point of contact for many clients. She uses any spare time to coordinate the costings and accounting processes for csdp ltd.

Kerstin Frank - Clerical Receptionist / Studio Graphics Coordinator Kerstin@csdparchitecture.com
Moving between a support administrative role and production of graphical output and computer generated images Kerstin provides a valuable multi-faceted role in the practice.

Daniel McCarthy - Architectural Technologist Daniel@csdparchitecture.com
Daniel works with the directors to help realise the designs into detailed drawings and the finished built scheme. He will work on both the planning and technical sides of your project.

Hilary Nixon - Architectural Assistant Hilary@csdparchitecture.com
Hilary is training as an architect and brings her skills in presentation and design to the office.

CSDP News

csdp ltd renews its award as an Investor in People
October 2008
The team at csdp ltd have had their hard work and skills recognized again by the awarding of a further Investor in People award following a day of review and assessment. Having first achieved the award in 2005 this latest review saw the company judged against the updated 2008 criteria and it passed in all ten quality indicators. The assessor welcomed the inclusive nature of the vision strategy of the management towards its team members and commended the obvious recognition by the directors of the value of continuing personal training and improvement by all in the office.

Csdp ltd launched 1 August 2008

After 21 years in practice as the well respected Cattell Skinner Design Partnership Keith Cattell and Steve Skinner launched the new practice name and identity as csdp ltd on 1st August 2008. This firm of architects based in the cathedral city of Canterbury has achieved a regional name as providers of strongly design led yet client attractive architectural projects across a wide spectrum including education, residential development, social housing and conservation.

Keith and Steve have become the directors of the new company and have welcomed established staff members Phil Andrews and Dan Town as associate directors in the firm which will continue to be based in their recently purpose converted studio in Canterbury.

During the continuing smooth transition of the business clients will notice the new logo and branding and importantly the new e mail addresses using the csdparchitecture.com suffix. The office continues as a recognized RIBA charted practice and has Investor in People status.

For more information contact: steve@csdparchitecture.com

Csdp ltd to host Artists Open House

One of the aims of the directors for their newly converted offices was to open up the building to local artists and to host architectural and artistic events. Csdp ltd is pleased to announce that it is hosting one of the artists’ open houses for the 2008 Canterbury Festival featuring works by Nigel Rhodes, Chris de Garay, Jay de Garay, Kerstin Frank and Keith cattell. These multi discipline works will be on show for the three weekends of the Festival 11/12th – 18/19th – 25/26th October 2008 from 11am-5pm. Come and look at The Studio 15 Tudor Road Canterbury CT1 3SY Trail maps for the Canterbury Artists will be available from Tourist Information Centre, Sun Street or Chromos Art Galleries.
For more information contact: Kerstin@csdparchitecture.com

Csdp ltd launch new web site

As part of the rebranding of the architectural practice Csdp ltd have launched their new web site at www.csdparchitecture.com. Illustrating a portfolio of work it will offer an opportunity to both future and existing clients alike to see the expertise available from Csdp ltd. The practice has worked with Matt Andrews local firm pixsion to produce a visually strong yet operationally simple web site that encapsulates the design ethos of the directors and staff.
For more information contact: office@csdparchitecture.com and to see the work of Matt Andrews visit www.pixsion.co.uk

Csdp ltd sponsor music festival

Those of you who visited 2008’s excellent and nationally reviewed Lounge on the Farm Music Festival may not have realized that local architects Csdp ltd co-sponsored the Further stage which provided not only an excellent set of bands but also the Festival’s only straw bale café. The stage even hosted Csdp ltd’s own Philipp Hall in his band Amber Room on the Saturday afternoon. The Practice is pleased to have helped the organizers with the provision of an even better tented stage than last year and wish Lounge on the Farm continued success.

CSDP commercial projects
Business Units Dover Budget £265,000 2007
As part of the ongoing work for Astor College of the Arts these workshops have been designed to enable new entrepreneurs to have the chance to start up their businesses with the expertise and assistance of the College. Designed and project managed by the practice they represent a bright new future for the occupiers and an example of design led value for money by the architects. These units are one of three buildings on the campus by csdp.

Bistro Vietnam Canterbury Budget £80,000 2004
When the successful restaurateur owners of Bistro Vietnam wanted to expand their business the architects were brought in to convert a derelict warehouse in the centre of Canterbury. Creating two floors of dining with new kitchens and staff facilities on a minimal budget the design also provided a small external dining area and a distinctive entrance.

Reads Restaurant Faversham 2006 Budget – undisclosed.
We have been pleased to work with nationally renowned restaurateurs David and Rona Pitchford of Reads Restaurant for over 20 years. Extending their original premises – a former Spar shop! – and then helping them expand into Macknade Manor – a beautiful period property in its own grounds close to Canterbury. The house required considerable renovations and alterations to carefully install new kitchens, restaurant and private dining rooms to the highest standard befitting the quality of the food. As an additional requirement the owners also wanted to offer their guests the opportunity to stay and to explore the menu further so six bedrooms with ensuites were accommodated on the first floor creating Reads Restaurant with Rooms.
Since the successful reopening the practice has designed an additional 25 bedrooms in converted and new buildings within the grounds as well as accommodation for the owners in a converted barn.

The Studio Canterbury Office Conversion 2006 Value £120,000
Restoration, adaptation and conversion of Victorian workshop to for architects studios in a Conservation Area. A derelict property brought back into use by the architects for their own use. The state of the building required a complete stripping out of the structure and rebuilding of the roof and large roof lantern. Adaptation of the roof structure enabled the careful insertion of a mezzanine floor creating a well lit first floor drawing studio with meeting spaces, administration and a small public gallery on the ground floor. Occupied in May 2006 this building represents an increased office space and an ongoing commitment in the Wincheap area of Canterbury by the architects, being the third property used by csdp in the area.
Typical of many projects by csdp this conversion illustrates the added value to an investment property that can be achieved by sensitive design.

Various Projects

The practice has designed many commercial and retail units for a wide range of customers from car showrooms for Lotus, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Audi, Rover, Land Rover to shops for Benetton and The Tube amongst others. Offices, Retail Park and Industrial units have been completed for Barretts Digital World, Travis Perkins, Tile and Stone Magic, City Plumbing Supplies, BenchMarx, Gymboray, AXA Insurance, Denne Construction and Hornby.
The restaurant and tourist trade has also supplied many projects including Canterbury City Council Tourist Offices, The Garden Hotel Boughton, Rowton Castle Hotel Shropshire, The Shed Cantina and Kudos restaurants, both in Canterbury.

CSDP architectural residential projects

Tonford Manor Canterbury Budget: undisclosed 2003

This impressive historic moated house had outbuildings attached to the elevation which the architects, Canterbury City Council Conservation Department and English Heritage agreed should be removed to enhance this elevation. The original window opening to the principal elevation were restored and a new conservatory sited attached to the annexe elevation.
New outbuildings/garages were located to the rear of the site and utilised an existing track alongside the moat for access. The buildings were arranged to provide a service courtyard which is screened from general view, this being an improvement on the current situation. The outbuildings were modest in size and traditional in appearance with clay tiled roofs and weatherboard cladding to the walls with a battered brick plinth, which echoed the fortified character of the house in this location.
The front entrance door was reinstated without any external lobby and an oak feature door introduced into the southwest elevation where a former opening was been bricked up.
English Heritage inspected the site and our had to meet their exacting aspirations. and considered they were acceptable in principal. The ruinous walls and gateway were surveyed and a programme of works for their protection, put in hand in conjunction with of Donald Insall Associates.
Of particular interest is the green stained weatherboarding which contrasts with the flint walls and the excellent workmanship by the contractor. New joinery was detailed by the architects to complement the lime mortar brickwork. All in all this represents a successful marrying of historic and sympathetic modern architectural design for which the architects are well known.

Priory Rd Ramsgate Budget: £2million 2005

Linked to the conversion of the former Ramsgate Hospital adjacent this scheme for a well respected Kent developer formed a major boost to the status of the re-emerging quality of Ramsgate. Providing houses and apartments around the older buildings the scheme created its own novel and attractive urban grain of 2 and 3 storey buildings plus a feature taller unit to the street.
A unique housing type was created to allow the close proximity of individual properties without compromising security and privacy. Parking was kept to contained courts enabling a majority of properties to be accessed along landscaped paths.

Hospital Conversion Ramsgate Budget: £1.8million 2005

An imaginative renovation and reuse of redundant hospital buildings in the costal town of Ramsgate, this residential scheme links with the Priory Road new housing also by csdp ltd which was carefully inserted in the grounds around the old buildings. Formed over two and three floors with dramatic use of previously unused roof spaces each apartment is unique. The upper floors contain glazed roofslopes giving seaward views from mezzanines formed within the old roof timbers. A further unique feature of the site for the architects was the restoration of a Second World War Memorial on the front of the building. Many original features of the buildings were incorporated by Martin and Randle the developers into the finished scheme which was nominated for a Kent Design Award in 2006.

Guys Court Kings Hill Budget: £2.4millions 2004

Guys Court represents another RAF connection for csdp ltd being sited on the former West Malling wartime airfiled and named after Guy Gibson of Dambusters fame. The sixteen apartments were designed to echo the influences of the adjacent airfield control tower and officers accommodation, whilst acting as the link between the residential village of Kings Hill and its neighbouring office park. Additionally the site was opposite the local authority offices and planning department. Sited on a major access and roundabout the architects sought to maintain as many of the surrounding trees as possible and utilised the open areas that had been formed by earlier accommodation to give the residents a green view through the woods and to soften the effect of the traffic. Designed in a winged plan and rendered with striking green copper gable ends there are two apartments to each wing reducing to two penthouses with large terraces on the third floor with views to the distant North Downs.
Internally a curving stair and foyer winds around the central lift and to the rear light white steel balconies maintain the original theme of the design.

Clarks Barn Faversham Budget: Undisclosed 1997

One of a number of barn conversions undertaken by the practice this thatched structure was carefully restored and converted to residential use in the Kent countryside. Design details included the use of louvred windows of the same size slats as the weather boarding with secondary glazing behind to provide thermal integrity. As the number of openings was limited by the Conservation Officer hidden windows were introduced into the boarding by forming insulated shutters which open up the rooms to the countryside but do not detract from the historic character of the structure.

CSDP architectural residential projects continued

Cobden Place Canterbury Budget: Ongoing 2004 – 2008

An ongoing project in the heart of Canterbury’s Conservation Area and opposite the famous “crooked” Kings School shop this was the first stage of a major urban infill and renovation project. It included renovation of parts of the Borough and Kings Street frontage listed buildings as well as careful removal of later decaying outbuildings and garages at the rear of the site. A new mews has been formed accommodating apartments and houses to replace the lock up garages. All of this has been done in a modern and sympathetic modern vernacular style common to many of the schemes undertaken by the architects in the locality. A further stage of the scheme for the rest of the site can be seen in our Concepts portfolio which completes the corner following demolition of the redundant public conveniences.

New House Canterbury Budget: Undisclosed 2006

Though most passers by leaving Canterbury would notice this dramatic new addition to the street many would not realise that the adjacent Victorian house also forms part of the property and neither would they expect the dramatic interior formed by opening up all floors into one central atrium. Designed as a home for the developer / owners this house actually is only one half of the scheme which will include the infilling of the gap to the neighbour forming additional aprtments to that building. Clad in terracotta coloured boards and ranged over four floors this is a home with a difference. Stairs and balconies cross the atrium to access bedrooms and living spaces as well as a roof top terrace enabling views of the Cathedral.

Extension to former Rectory Sittingbourne Budget: £140,000 2007

Integral with a major internal refurbishment scheme by the clients London-based interior designer the architects reformed a number of rooms and added a large family room and shower overlooking the walled garden to the rear of this listed former rectory. The curved rear wall of the house was used as the starting point to form a new space for the children from an old store and this was complimented with a shower and kitchenette together with a new study. The extension sits behind existing high walls and hedges and provides a welcome addition to the accommodation for the family. Though in keeping with the style

Alterations to Mystole House Canterbury Budget £100,000 2007

Updating a listed building requires care and this project is a good example of the work being to such a high standard that from the exterior it may be hard to see what has been done. A garage had been inserted in the front façade of the wing of this grand house and it was the architects task to return the space to habitable use. Additionally alterations internally had divided into two a room which we retored finding in the process a fine fireplace which was adapted for the kichen Aga. Other internal alterations were undertaken to update this home for the owners.

CSDP architects practice concept projects

Eastmead Avenue Ashford Budget £3.8millions 2006 - current

An example both of csdp ltd social housing experience and the complexity of many problematic sites currently available. This former industrial site lies within an area of the town that is close to the centre and International Station but currently run down. Additionally it edges the Ashford Flood Risk Area which has entailed detailed negotiations with the Environment Agency and the Local Authority.
Working with the West Kent Housing Association the architects have designed a 3 and 4 storey scheme of 41 apartments for rent and shared ownership with parking and some on site offices and live work units.
The scheme will meet Housing Association space standards; sustainable homes code level 3 and 10% renewable energy requirements and provide an attractive proposal of affordable homes close to the centre of the town.

Community Centre Edenbridge Budget: circa £2millions 2008

Edenbridge Community Centre is a facility for the town replacing former school buildings adapted for community use which have reached the end of their viable life. Acting for Kent County Council the architects have developed the scheme with the users, townspeople, stakeholders and the London Planning Practice over three years prior to making a planning application in 2007. Containing a new hall, Art and youth rooms, cafeteria, kitchens, offices and a Faith Room sited around open space and 40 new homes, 35% of which will be affordable – rented and shared ownership. All of this on land which has the added complication of being with the Green Belt.

Eco Housing Hartlip Budget: Undisclosed 2007

The architects have been involved with environmentally friendly design since 1980 with their first passive solar house. Currently they are designing this partially underground eco house in Kent on a rural site in a small hamlet. The scheme is set below current ground levels and only small hummocks of grass, two greenhouses and some ventilation rooflights will be visible from the access. The scheme opens onto lower courtyards and will contain reed bed waste drainage systems and solar panels for heating water. The aim is to make the property as self sufficient in energy use as possible for the owners.

Queens Arms Yard Margate Budget: £2.1millions 2007-2008

An urban regeneration mixed use scheme for Thanet district Council and Others in the Old Town in Margate comprising 24 apartments, Retail Studios and a Bistro. This proposal will provide an infilling of new businesses and residential accommodation in the upcoming Artists Quarter close to the new Turner Contemporary Gallery. Commissioned by the Local Authority and working with the Conservation Officer the architects have produced a vibrant modern scheme within the Old Town. Currently csdp ltd are working on two other nearby sites.

Apartments Cliff Street Ramsgate Budget: Undisclosed 2007

Another scheme in Ramsgate which has pushed the design and density, this time to six floors within a dramatic curved metal roof. Using computer modeling to illustrate the suitability of the proposal in the street scene, the architects were able to obtain the support of the planners and Conservation Officer for this contemporary design amongst older properties and unbuilt approved neighbouring sites.

The Rendezvous Margate Budget: £30millions 2008

Situated adjacent to the proposed Turner Contemporary Gallery on the sea front in Margate the Rendezvous site saw the architects shortlisted to the final two designs by Kent County Council and Thanet district Council. A complex urban regeneration scheme to act as a funding catalyst for the gallery this proposal was designed on behalf of Crest Nicholson and Land Regeneration UK containing hotel, retail and leisure, apartments, yacht store, promenades and new civic open spaces. Breaking up the accommodation; relating it to the sea and the Old Town the architects created a new viewing platform and public urban park on top of the multi deck car park below the cliff face from which the public could take advantage of the views over the Bay made famous by J M Turner.

Kings Street Canterbury Budget £1million 2008

This site is the third part of the Cobden Place development which can be seen in our Residential Portfolio. The completion of the site will see the infilling between the Borough and the corner of Kings Street in Canterbury on the site of the old public conveniences. Involving negotiations with the Conservation department of Canterbury City Council and the Department of Transport to stop up the access and allow building on the historic building line. The massing of the proposal was dictated by photographic evidence of long since demolished properties on the site.

Architects practice in Canterbury - Educational projects and school design Canterbury Road Primary School Budget: £495,000 2007

A single storey addition of three classrooms and ancillary accommodation to this central town primary school. It provided needed expansion space for the school in a colourful building with covered external play area, resource area and toilets.

St Peter’s in Thanet C.E. School Broadstairs Budget: £280,000 2007

Within the central courtyard of this school the architects have inserted a new IT room and library. Two smaller courtyards have been provided in this well mannered extension overlooked by the new rooms.

Newington Junior School Thanet Budget: £899,000 2007

One of a number of projects undertaken for Kent County Council at Newington Junior School in Ramsgate including a new Children’s Centre; School Amalgamation and new classrooms and ancillary accommodation.

Part of a scheme for modernization of the school facilities and provision of a separate pre- school nursery building.

Refectory and Classrooms Maidstone Grammar School Budget £2millions 2005

Replacing an old canteen has provided the school with an up to date refectory and kitchens alongside a new 3 storey classroom IT and Arts Block on their site in the centre of Kent’s County Town. A striking, angular terracotta coloured refectory complete with mezzanine level for the upper school sits alongside the quadrant shaped roofed classroom building.

Davington County Primary School nr. Faversham Budget: £462,000 2006

Another modernization and extension scheme for a local primary school, this time in Davington near Faversham. Adjoining the Victorian building are new classrooms and a play area clad in yellow stock brick with red features under a roof of red plain tiles and lead coloured slopes. In built are distinctive rooflights that bring additional daylight into the classrooms.

Bredhurst C.P. School nr. Gillingham Budget: £507,000 2004

New classrooms and a hall have been designed for this small primary school.

GRANGE PARK SCHOOL Wrotham Budget £3.8miilions 2008

The proposal is for a replacement school in a crescent shaped with a central ‘street’ that links all aspects of the accommodation generating the sense of a village community with common facilities at one end and teaching home bases at the other end.
The design concept is intended to reconcile both the requirements of the users and the constraints of the site. The single storey building is linear in format with curved facades facing north and south. The curved north face is cut into the site slope and has a mono pitch roof rising out of the ground. The roof is covered with grass and visually merges with the surrounding grassed areas and hedgerows. Predominantly the south facing façade is a translucent wall at both low and high level providing filtered light and sunlight to all the teaching spaces with a minimal number of windows included. The north, convex shaped façade acts as a noise deflector and has been positioned so as to minimise the sound of the M26 traffic whereas the south façade is a light collector with minimal aspect to reduce external visual distraction of the children.

CSDP Architects and Interior Designers based in Canterbury Kent working in the South East and London. Well regarded for their designs in residential, education and social housing development fields csdpltd has recently been formed from Cattell Skinner Design Partnership. Private, Commercial and Local Government clients for many project types.

GOLDWYN COMMUNITY SPECIAL SCHOOL + WORKSHOP GREAT CHART ASHFORD KENT

A Design and Build project with Durtnell this Community Special School is a good example of careful design integrated into the managed construction process.
On a sensitive rural site the building was compactly planned around the central hall mindful of the requirements of staff and pupils to minimise the building envelope. One of a number of Special Schools commissioned by Kent County Council this design adds to the portfolio and expertise of the architects in this field of educational design.
The Head has recognised that there has been a significant fall in reported statistics of mal-behaviour since moving into the new building.
During the build additional separate workshop facilities were planned into the site layout.

Astor College of the Arts Dover Kent

Working closely with the school this project evolved through carefully consideration and balancing of the financial constraints with the client aspirations for kitchen and dining hall plus staff and plant facilities.
Carefully sited between other designs on the site by the architects this project has been constructed to a high standard whilst meeting the budget and timetable. Previously the architects have provided a new classroom and a dance studio for this prominent hillside site overlooking Dover Castle.
The architects designed and managed this project to ensure that it was finished on time and within budget.

New Private House in Whitstable Kent

Recently completed for a local developer and builder this beautiful house sits within the established garden of another property. Making features of the enclosed nature of the site and the clear light of the seaside position it provides the new occupants with a spatial experience unlike many other houses. The clean modern lines of the design and the bespoke furnishings and materials match the quality of the external finishes. Light floods into the central atrium space which is punctuated by the first floor bridge between the bedrooms.

MEDICAL CENTRES + SUGERIES

The architects have designed a number of medical group surgeries in Kent over the past 12 years. Completed schemes can be found in Sheerness, Iwade and Bridge, near Canterbury. They have worked with private Funders and the Health Trusts, as well as the doctors and medical staff of the centres to provide modern and appropriate facilities for rural, village and urban sites.
Currently the practice is seeking planning approval for a extension to facilities in Bridge as well as a long awaited and much needed new Centre for Littlebourne for the same Group Practice.

COMMUNITY BUILDINGS

csdp ltd achieved planning approval for a new Community Centre in Edenbridge Kent after over four years of work. Accompanied by permission for forty dwellings to assist funding this new facility, situated within the Green Belt, will provide a new hall, cafeteria, group and youth rooms as well as a Faith Centre for the local church. This project has been funded by Kent County Council and involved considerable coordination between Sevenoaks District Council, KCC, various stakeholders and the existing users before being brought to a successful conclusion.