William Bates Chartered Architect
Who am I?
William Bates is a RIBA certified Chartered Architect Practice, established in 1984. I specialise in domestic architecture with a portfolio that includes new bespoke houses and flats, and the extension, alteration and conversion of existing properties, both modern and traditional, including Listed buildings.
I have also designed several retail, commercial, leisure and religious buildings and extensions.
Since 1992, I have also offered Architect Expert Witness services, to provide impartial evidence and opinion in connection with building disputes, particularly those involving alleged professional negligence.
My Approach
I believe in a personalised collaborative process that places your requirements and your vision at the forefront. I pride myself on my commitment to delivering quality design solutions tailored to client needs. Whether you are a seasoned developer or embarking on a building project for the first time, it will be my role to guide you through the process from ideas inception to build completion. If you simply require design drawings for seeking planning permission, that's fine and I can be involved with your project as much, or as little, as you wish.
How?
Good design has to combine aesthetic values of creating inspiring spaces with functional considerations, such as keeping the water out. This is at the forefront of my design work.
My expert witness work involves an independent assessment of the work of architects and other design professionals to determine whether their performance is in accordance with current standards.
My Portfolio
Welcome to my portfolio. Here you’ll find a selection of my work. Explore my projects to learn more about what I do.
Recognition
Client Satisfaction
Happy Clients
Over my career, I have achieved a 95% client satisfaction rate through dedicated service and tailored design solutions that meet unique needs. Clients appreciate the prompt personal attention they receive regarding their projects, the design flair that I bring, and my attention to detail. Some of the favourable comments received from clients (client names withheld for privacy reasons):
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"Thank you ever so much for all your valuable advice & guidance with this process.......it is not as straight forward as it would seem."
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"Thank you for all your excellent work in designing and obtaining the planning approval. "
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"It was especially wonderful to be at home over the Christmas period, savouring all the new space: I doubt that pleasure will ever wear off."
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"That's fantastic news. I expect the lack of conditions is because of your brilliant detail in the plan and your specification of sympathetic materials. Hopefully we made it easy for them to say yes. Thanks for all your help so far."
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"We are so pleased with what you have done. It is very thorough and everything appears to be as requested. Thank you so much for all the hard work involved."
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"Thank you for all your help."
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"Many thanks for everything."
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"Thank you again for all your assistance"
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"Will, great - full steam ahead!"
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"We are continuing to enjoy the kitchen, particularly when sunlight is pouring in through the rooflights."
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"Many thanks for your continuing hard work on our behalf."
Expert Services
Legal Insight
I have provided expert witness services on numerous construction disputes since 1992. I have been able to assist legal cases concerning architectural matters, particularly where professional negligence is claimed, with both integrity and professionalism. I have been appointed both as a party expert witness and as a single joint witness. I am a member of the Academy of Experts and The Society of Expert Witnesses and I have recently been appointed to assist the Architects Registration Board (ARB) in their consideration of claims made against architects. I have appeared at both formal and informal hearings and mediations and I have High Court (Technology and Construction Court) experience. Solicitors tend to be more reserved with their approbation, but some of the comments I have received from solicitors and their clients are particularly gratifying:
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"We wanted to say thank you for such a fantastic piece of work. We really do appreciate the effort you have put into this."
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"I just wanted to say that at this point the fantastic report you did for me, and so far, you have been one of the few people that sees what the neighbour did."
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"The case has now been closed by us, as our offer has now been paid in full by him. He also paid us your fees in full. "
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"Thank you so much for sending this through. I’d say that was pretty conclusive! We hugely appreciate your support. "
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"Many thanks again for all your help with this. I’ll be in touch again shortly but please let me know if you have any queries in the meantime."
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"Your input has been invaluable to date."
Skill Set
Problem Solving
I have developed a skill-set that comprises design and technical abilities to find effective and high quality architectural solutions to a diverse range of building problems and to be able to express those strategies, clearly and precisely, by word, graphics and drawings to people at all levels, from barristers and CEO's of global companies to trainee site operatives.