Project Surveys | Carmarthenshire | Conversions, Listed & Residential Renovations and New Build

Making the Most of Summer: Surveys, Stunning Scenery & Exciting Projects in Carmarthenshire

There is something special about working in Carmarthenshire, especially when the sun is shining. Lately, I have been out and about taking full advantage of this glorious weather while carrying out a series of project surveys — and I have to say, it is one of the real perks of the job!

From rolling countryside to charming rural villages, the landscapes here never fail to inspire. It is a constant reminder of how fortunate I am to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world.

Tools of the Trade: Simple Essentials and the Power of First Impressions

 

While some aspects of architectural practice have evolved with technology, there is a comfort — and a real effectiveness — in the simplicity of the tools I have relied on since my very first day as a trainee.

Clipboard, paper, a handful of different coloured pens, measuring tapes, a good camera — and now, a trusty laser measure. These might sound basic, but together they form a kit that has never let me down — bar the odd flat battery!

 

The laser measure has certainly streamlined things (especially for those tricky, hard-to-reach corners), but I still think it is important not to rely on it entirely. A strong sense of spatial awareness and a feel for the building itself are just as important — perhaps more so.

 

There is something quite special about the process of carrying out a building survey. It is not just about measuring up; it is about understanding the structure, its quirks, its possibilities. I often find that as I move through the space — clipboard in hand — I am already sketching out ideas in my mind. It is a hands-on, intuitive process that allows room for design thinking to develop naturally.

In fact, those early conversations with a client — when they first start to share their thoughts and ambitions — often plant the seeds for the design. By the time I am walking through the property, I am already considering how those ideas might come to life and feeling the excitement by visualising the finished project.

It is this blend of simplicity, attentiveness, and imagination that makes surveying one of my favourite parts of the job — a quiet and grounding moment before the creativity of the design process takes full flight.

Back in the studio, it has been all systems go for the last couple of years and at the moment there is a diverse and exciting mix of projects currently on the go — everything from listed building renovations and barn conversions to home extensions and brand-new builds. Each one presents its own unique challenges and creative opportunities, making it a busy but hugely rewarding time at CM Architectural.

If you are thinking about your own project — whether it is a renovation, conversion, or a new build — now is the perfect time to start planning ahead to aim to start building next year.

 

We’d love to hear your ideas and help bring them to life.

Get in touch — let’s create something amazing together.

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Project Focus | Braiswick, Essex | Private Client New Build

 

From Sketch to Structure: A Thoughtfully Designed New Home

CMArchitectural is pleased to showcase the completion of a bespoke new-build home in Braiswick, Essex, designed for a private client seeking a residence that would sit sympathetically between their period family farmhouse and a nearby contemporary development.

This project began with a simple but meaningful gesture: a sketched floor plan drawn on graph paper by the client, full of potential. Working closely with the client, that vision was transformed into a fully realised home—one that balances modern comfort with contextual sensitivity, offering a seamless transition between the historic and the new.

🏡 Thoughtful Design, Inside and Out

The resulting home features a spacious interior layout tailored to the client’s lifestyle, with an emphasis on flow, light, and flexibility. The garden design was equally important—planned to complement both the new building and its surrounding landscape, creating a space that feels cohesive and considered from every angle.

Throughout the project, working as CMArchitectural for PJB Architects, Charlotte and Keith jointly coordinated with multiple consultants to ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance were maintained. From initial concept through to completion, this home stands as a testament to collaborative, client-focused design.

🤝 A Valued Collaboration

This project was completed in collaboration with PJB Architects, with whom CMArchitectural shared a long and rewarding working relationship. Though PJB Architects is no longer operating, their contribution to projects like this one remains deeply appreciated and very fondly remembered.

✨ Turning Vision into Reality

BRAISWICK is a great example of what is possible when thoughtful planning, meaningful collaboration, and client vision come together. It was a joy to bring this project to life.

📍 Location: Braiswick

📂 Type: Private Residential New Build

📎 Status: Completed

Project Focus | Cellar 62 at The Angel | Listed Building Consent

New Beginnings for a Historic Building: Cellar 62 Opens Its Doors (in the 'old' Angel Inn)

CMArchitectural is proud to share the successful transformation of a cherished Llandeilo landmark—Cellar 62 at The Angel Inn has officially opened and is already proving to be a popular destination. 🍷

This milestone follows the granting of listed building consent for sensitive and respectful works to the former Angel Inn, a historic property rich in local heritage. The building has now been thoughtfully reimagined and divided into two distinct spaces, setting the stage for new independent businesses to thrive in the heart of the town.

✨ Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future

The project was carried out with the support of Carmarthenshire County Council, reflecting a growing emphasis on the adaptive reuse of historic buildings—breathing new life into familiar places while safeguarding their architectural character. Inside Cellar 62, great care has been taken to maintain the original warmth and charm that once defined The Angel, creating an atmosphere that feels both authentic and inviting.

A special acknowledgment goes to Paul and Tracey, whose craftsmanship and detailing in the early years of The Angel were fully honoured in this latest chapter. Their original work served as inspiration and foundation, with the design team ensuring a seamless blend between the historic and the new.

🥂 A Welcoming Return

Since opening, Cellar 62 has quickly become a local favourite, offering a vibrant yet nostalgic setting reminiscent of the ‘old’ Angel. The result is more than just a new business—it's a community space reborn, where history and hospitality meet.

This project stands as a testament to what careful design and deep local understanding can achieve: regeneration without erasure—where the future is shaped in harmony with the past.

📍 Location: Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

📂 Type: Listed Building Application

📎 Status: Completed & Open to the Public

Project Focus | Cwmllynfell | Development Outline Planning

 Outline Planning Permission Granted ✔

CMArchitectural is pleased to announce that outline planning permission has been granted by Neath Port Talbot Council for the development of five detached homes in Cwmllynfell.

This approval marks a significant milestone in what has been a carefully managed and collaborative planning process. The site, a parcel of underused land left behind from a previous development, is now set to be revitalized with a new, thoughtfully planned residential scheme, complementing those nearby.

🌳 A Design Rooted in Place

The proposed layout of the homes was shaped with great care to integrate seamlessly into the existing landscape. Mature trees on the site were retained and respected throughout the design process, and comprehensive ecological studies were undertaken to ensure environmental considerations remained central to the development.

To support the future of the site and surrounding community, contribution agreements have also been put in place—helping to reinforce local infrastructure and community benefit.

🏡 Revitalising Land, Respecting Community

This development has been designed in principle to enhance and contribute to the existing community in Cwmllynfell. By turning previously overlooked land into a place for new beginnings, the project represents responsible, context-sensitive growth that honours both the natural environment and the needs of the people who live nearby.

CMArchitectural looks forward to s
eeing this site progress in the coming stages, and to continuing their work in creating spaces that are meaningful, sustainable, and well-connected to their surroundings.

📍 Location: Cwmllynfell, Neath Port Talbot

📂 Type: Residential Development (5 Detached Homes)

📎 Status: Outline Planning Approved

Project Focus | Seven Sisters | Residential Extension

Planning Permission Granted: A Garden-Focused Home Extension near Neath Port Talbot

I am very pleased to share that CMArchitectural have recently secured planning permission from Neath Port Talbot Council for a thoughtful and transformative two-storey extension in Seven Sisters for a young couple. The design process has been as much about the connection to their garden and nature as it has been about creating the much needed extra space.

The original home, though set on an extensive plot and wonderfully close to woodland, offered great potential but lacked a true connection to the setting—something incredibly important to the couple, both of whom are passionate gardeners. This extension changes that.

The design adds a comfortable and functional living space on the ground floor that will open directly to the garden, creating a seamless link between indoors and out. Above, a new bedroom provides the extra room they need as they grow into their home.

While the site benefits from space and seclusion, the design was approached with the same care and attention we would for any location. Material choices and ecological sensitivity were a key part of the process—ensuring the extension sits gently in its environment while enhancing the overall character of the home.

It is always rewarding to help turn a vision into reality—especially when it strengthens the relationship between people and the landscape around them. 

I am thrilled to move this project forward and can't wait to see this new space come to life. 

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