Stephen Whettem, Architect Chartered Architect BSc (Hons) Dip.Arch, RIBA

Career Profile

Stephen Whettem is a chartered architect, trained in the UK at The Bartlett School of Architecture of University College London and the Plymouth School of Architecture. He has wide experience as an architect in the West Country, London, Europe and the Middle East where, over a five year period, he worked on projects for the royal family of the United Arab Emirates and clients based in Beirut.

Following relocation to the West Country in the late 1980s, Stephen set up a design-led architectural practice in Tavistock which, over the last 27 years, has focused on championing contemporary, sustainable architecture within the local context. Stephen Whettem Architects has a proven commitment to principles of sustainability and the use of natural materials, while contributing to the development of a distinctive contemporary regional architecture. The practice portfolio covers all sectors from private residential schemes to larger commercial developments, performing arts and community facilities, workplace and healthcare schemes, churches and schools. Workplace design projects include a sawmill and centre for promotion of sustainable forestry, local authority offices, private offices, a business park promoting sustainable construction and working practices, a brewery extension and RNLI facilities. He has undertaken numerous feasibility studies and masterplanning in an urban context.

Stephen has many years’ experience in heritage and conservation architecture working directly with English Heritage, the National Trust and private individuals. Projects include both restoration works and contemporary interventions on structures ranging from medieval abbey remains to fortified 15th-century houses and agricultural, industrial and mining heritage buildings.

Stephen Whettem Architects has a particular interest, and proven track record, in delivering community and arts projects where innovation meets functionality to provide practical yet life-enhancing design. As well as involvement with the Eden Project in Cornwall, the practice has worked on The Wharf Arts Centre and the Kingdon House Community Project in Tavistock, the Cornwall & West Devon Hard Rock Mining World Heritage Site visitor building and several local community centres including those for the West Devon villages of Lifton, Meldon and Clearbrook (awarded flagship status by The Millennium Commission, for design quality). Tavyside Health Centre, built in 2012, brought together the services of two existing doctors’ surgeries, a children’s centre and a pharmacy to provide a state of the art healthcare facility for the town of Tavistock. Residential projects include multiple housing, mixed use and bespoke commercial developments in both urban and rural contexts as well as innovative living space solutions for private clients.

With over 600 completed commissions, Stephen has extensive knowledge of detailed design, team leadership, project management and local authority procedures; many projects are within conservation and National Park areas with their specialised and local statutory requirements. He is involved at every stage of a project, from concept to completion.

Stephen Whettem Architects RIBA The Works, 3 Dolvin Road Tavistock, Devon PL19 9EA Tel: 01822 617530 www.sw-architects.co.uk

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Recent Key West Country Projects Include: Public Buildings

Construction of new theatre building at The Eden Project, Cornwall. Refurbishment of Grade 2 listed canal wharf buildings to Community Arts Centre, The Wharf, Tavistock. Construction of new health centre and children’s centre, Tavyside Health Centre, Tavistock, Devon. Refurbishment of redundant Grade 2* listed Methodist Chapel, Calstock, to use as performance space and publishing house for the southwest funded by The Arts Council of England. Special commendation for design excellence from Cornish Buildings Group &Winner of Caradon Design Award 2001. Refurbishment of Palace Theatre, Torbay to use as theatre and arts centre for Torbay Council. Drake Veterinary Practice, Yelverton, purpose-built small animal practice. New Methodist Churches for Elburton, Plympton and the Tamar Valley, Cornwall. Refurbishment of Tavistock Methodist Church including new meeting hall. Courtyard Function Room at The Bedford Hotel, Tavistock. Devon Building Control Partnership Best Vernacular Project 2010, Southwest LABC Building Excellence Awards Finalist Best Small Commercial Development 2010. New Yacht Club on banks of River Tamar at Cargreen, Cornwall. New Girls Boarding Accommodation, Arts Teaching Rooms, Science Teaching and Laboratories for Mount House School, Tavistock. Redevelopment of The Crown Centre, Russell Street, Tavistock:18 Apartments and one Retail Unit. LABC Built In Quality Award: Best conversion Finalist 2008. The Works, Tavistock, purpose-built architects’ office

for Stephen Whettem Architects and not-for-profit art gallery for use by the local community. Devon Building Control Partnership Runner-up Built in Quality Awards 2007 Commercial/Community category.

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Private Buildings

Restoration and repair of Grade 2* listed planned farm buildings for English Heritage at Kilworthy Farm, Tavistock. New photographic archive building adjacent Grade 2* C15th manor house and Photographic Gallery & Museum feasibility study for David Bailey. New sustainable architecture farmhouse at organic chicken and blueberry farm, Burrington, North Devon. Restoration and repair of Grade 2 listed farmhouse at Haye Farm, Ludbrook, Ivybridge, Devon.

Coombe Mill Farmhouse, Saltash, Cornwall. Winner Caradon Design Awards Best Residential Scheme & Best Overall Scheme 2005; Cornish Buildings Group Overall Award for a new building 2004.

Bellever, Whitchurch. Finalist SW LABC Building Excellence Awards Best Small New Housing Development 2014

Current Projects include: Alterations to Grade 1 Listed manor house, including construction of stable courtyard and repairs to farm buildings and 16

th century

gatehouse at Bradstone, Devon. Conversion of town centre Arts & Crafts building, Kingdon House, to community centre to accommodate Citizens Advice Bureau and other local user groups incl. art, dance and music clubs. Construction of community centre for the village of Lifton, West Devon. Major redevelopment of The Wharf Arts Centre, Tavistock. Construction of new sustainable office building, Tavistock.

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