Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The award-winning Llanelli-based firm of architects, the Lewis Partnership, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. And the firm, which already operates throughout South Wales, is looking for further expansion in its anniversary year. “This is a wonderful milestone for us here at the Lewis Partnership,” said managing director Philip Lewis (pictured above), the son of company founder Wynford Lewis. “We pride ourselves on being a business where quality counts. That philosophy has stood us in good stead for the last 20 years – and we sincerely hope it will continue to do so for the next 20. “Our roots are very firmly here in Llanelli, but our portfolio of work extends over a far wider area - South, West and Mid Wales, with many of our projects located in Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys.” The Lewis Partnership currently has eight staff (2 Architects, 3 technologists and 3 administrators) based in Park Crescent near Llanelli Leisure Centre. Mr Lewis...

The South Wales Evening Post newspaper asked the award-winning Lewis Architects to give their views on the conversion and renovation of chapels and churches. To put it in context, the Post were running a special ‘planning focus’ feature on the issue. The comments were used in the following story. See link to the story on the South Wales Evening Post website - http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/FEATURE-Historic-church-buildings-changed-homes/story-20767161-detail/story.html Obviously, for editorial purposes, a few words were edited out of our submitted comments. The full Lewis Partnership statement for the newspaper is below - Philip Lewis, seated, managing director of the Lewis Partnership, and Wynford Lewis, chairman of the Lewis Partnership. Award-winning architects the Lewis Partnership know all about the challenges of converting and renovating chapels and churches. “It’s a task which requires a high degree of sensitivity and a great deal of imagination,” said Philip...

Philip Lewis, managing director of the award-winning architectural firm the Lewis Partnership, of South Wales, said - “Cooperation and partnerships are the words which crop up again and again as we look forward to 2013. Increasingly, we are finding benefits from partnerships and alliances with construction firms and consultancies. “There is a big drive to produce eco-friendly, sustainable and environmentally-friendly buildings. If you can show evidence that you can work in tandem with other businesses to produce such buildings then your chances of securing more work are greatly improved. “We are now finding that local authorities are building up alliances which offer greater economy of scale and value for money for the taxpayer. “For example, the Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea City councils are forging their own new framework organisation to pick key contractors. “Securing places on local authority frameworks can be crucial. Investment in the right management an...

A £2million redevelopment has turned a former social centre in Llanelli into the first ‘Centre of Economic Inclusion’ (CEI) in Wales. The newly-opened Coleshill Centre aims to improve the lives and outcomes of disabled and disadvantaged people, by building an enterprise-based community which will provide a wide-range of opportunities. The ground-breaking venture will promote economic and social inclusion; provide support, training, employment, development and community opportunities for disabled, vulnerable, disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people. At the same time it will encourage social and economic development and work together with other groups and organisations who share the same goals. The refurbishment was handled by Llanelli-based architects the Lewis Partnership. Jon Hobden, Senior Development Manager for the Coleshill project: “The centre will continue to provide social, networking and peer support but, in addition, is providing training facilities, such as IT, ca...

The go-ahead firm of Llanelli architects, the Lewis Partnership Ltd, has played a key role in the Next Steps project– a unique competition to find a new building apprentice for Carmarthenshire. The Next Steps project has seen six youngs boys competing against each other to win an apprenticeship with Gwendraeth-based building firm Lloyd & Gravell Ltd. The competition winner was Thornton Boswell, of Felinfoel, Llanelli, who recently picked up his GCSE results from Bryngwyn School. While competing for the coveted job, the six boys worked together as a team to complete a project that would benefit the community and leave a lasting legacy. The project was to create a safari themed sensory garden at Llanelli’s Heol Goffa School to benefit children with special needs. The project was designed by the Lewis Parnership. Managing director Philip Lewis said: “The courtyard design included a sensory space, new equipment, a sand pit, a quiet retreat and a water feature. The sensory garden incl...

Award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd are playing a key role in the restoration of one of Llanelli’s most historic landmarks. Llanelli Town Hall is being refurbished and upgraded by Carmarthenshire Council. “As one of Llanelli’s favourite buildings, it is in need of some TLC, some tender, loving care,” said the Lewis Partnership Ltd’s managing director Philip Lewis. “As an older building, care must be taken to ensure it is properly maintained and our plan will tackle the usual routine problems which come with older buildings and prepare the Town Hall for a bright future. “The Town Hall is very much a cherished building in Llanelli and, as a town-based firm of architects, operating from headquarters just around the corner from the building, we are delighted to be helping with this work.” The Town Hall came into being after the old Local Board of Health first suggested the idea back in 1892. William Griffiths, Estate Agent of Thomas Street, Llanelli, provided t...

The Lewis Partnership firm of architects has secured its first contract with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the RNLI. The firm will be designing an extension to the Horton and Port Eynon lifeboat station on Gower. Lewis Partnership managing director Philip Lewis said: “We are delighted to be working with the RNLI on this project. “I am sure we are all great admirers of the sterling work of the RNLI. We are delighted to be associated with the charity and helping to provide this extension to the Horton station.” Weblink - http://rnli.org and http://rnli.org/findmynearest/station/Pages/Horton-and-Port-Eynon-Lifeboat-Station.aspx http://www.lewispartnership.co.uk/

Award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have won a prestigious contract to design new homes for Pembrokeshire Housing Association. The contract is for 25 new homes at Orchard Court, Johnston, near Milford Haven. The homes will be built by South Haven Construction. Lewis Partnership managing director Philip Lewis said: “We are delighted to be working with Pembrokeshire Housing on this project. “The scheme is valued at more than £2million and is yet another example of how we have been able to develop our business further west into Pembrokeshire.” Weblink - http://www.southhaven.co.uk/ and http://www.pembs-ha.co.uk/

One of Carmarthenshire’s leading tourist attractions is being improved thanks to South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd. Aberglasney House and Gardens in the picturesque Tywi Valley is a landmark heritage garden attraction pulling in tens of thousands of tourists each year. “The Aberglasney Restoration Trust asked us to look at renovating and refurbishing what is one of the most historic houses in Carmarthenshire,” said the Lewis Partnership Ltd’s managing director Philip Lewis. “Obviously, our plan had to be sensitive to the history of the site with preservation of the key historical elements of the house crucially important. “The refurbishment, estimated to cost nearly £500,000, will take in the entrance hallway to the house, the audio-visual room and include toilets. “John Weaver Construction, of Swansea, have been contracted to carry out the works.” Weblink - http://www.johnweaver.co.uk/ and http://www.aberglasney.org/ See previous post- http://sirgarblog.blogspot...

Llanelli-based architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd are playing a key role in the refurbishment of one of Llanelli’s landmark buildings. Ty Elwyn – the local government building named after one of Llanelli’s favourite sons, Lord Elwyn Jones – is getting an internal makeover. “As a leading firm of South Wales architects based just around the corner from Ty Elwyn, we are delighted to be working with Carmarthenshire Council on this project,” said Lewis Partnership Ltd managing director Phil Lewis, pictured above. “Some careful planning and logistical expertise has been needed to make sure that the refurbishment can go ahead with minimal disruption to the important work that goes on in Ty Elwyn, which is obviously one of Carmarthenshire Council’s key administration sites. “The refurbishment works will take in all five floors of the building and the project is valued at more than £1 million. “The building dates back to the early 1980s and the refurbishment will give it a new lease of life...

Award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd are helping Llanelli Tennis and Squash Club serve up new facilities. The club has applied for a £300,000 grant to upgrade its clubhouse and facilities. Club chairman Mark Westcott hopes planning permission and grant money for the project will be in place by November. Work could then start by February or March. Mr Westcott said: “It is still difficult to put a definitive timescale on it. We are still in the early stages.” Based at world famous Stradey Park, the volunteer-run club runs tennis coaching programmes and mini, junior and adult teams. Lewis Partnership managing director Philip Lewis said: “The project is still in its early stages but we have been involved in a very successful consultation event at the club. “The Andy Murray victory in the USA Open and in the Olympics means there is a surge of interest in tennis. Hopefully, the Llanelli Tennis and Squash Club can build upon that new enthusiasm for the sport. We ...

A round-up of some news items from Llanelli architects the Lewis Partnership . . . Work on the transformation of the old Royal Oak pub on the campus of St Michael’s School, Llanelli, is starting this week. Work on the extension to doctor’s surgery in Nantgaredig being completed this week. Previous stories on website - http://www.lewispartnership.co.uk/extension-to-nantgaredig-surgery-starts-to-take-shape/  Our presentation of designs to Llanelli Tennis Club went down well last week. New changing rooms and other improvements on the horizon for club. A big welcome to Daniel Phillips, 22, who is studying architectural technology at Bristol University. Daniel has joined us for 24 weeks. Daniel is from Tycoch in Swansea and has already completed the first two years of his university studies. Bro Myrddin Housing Association have asked us to design four homes in Cae Bryn Drain in Carmarthen. We are working with Bro Myrddin Housing Association on a three-bedroomed disabled person...

The Lewis Partnership architects of Llanelli were featured in a full page business spotlight in the Llanelli Star newspaper. The spotlight featured all the latest news about the company. Here is a copy of the page -  Llanelli Star full page feature Here is a link to the full-size pdf of the page - Full page pdf Llanelli Star feature

St Michael’s private and independent school is expanding to build a new boarding house wing. And the architect in charge of the project is former pupil Philip Lewis, managing director of the Lewis Partnership Ltd, of Llanelli. The first stage of the plan is for a 40-bed boarding house and new kitchen and dining facilities for the school. Mr Lewis said: “I have fond memories of being a pupil at ‘St Mike’s’, so being able to play a significant role in its future development is a very proud moment for me. “The team here at the Lewis Partnership has been working very closely with St Michael’s to produce a design which passes that test with the leadership team at the school. “It is great to see the builders moving in on site and work progressing at some speed.” Weblink - http://www.stmikes.co.uk/ http://www.lewispartnership.co.uk/st-michaels-school-llanelli-new-boarding-house/

Take a look at this – a new home the Lewis Partnership architects have just completed in Fronwen, Graig, Burry Port. As a leading firm of architects, they pay as much attention to smaller projects as they do to large school and university builds. They undertake a wide range of extensions and alterations to houses and bungalows, no matter how big or small, including sun lounge extensions, family rooms, garage conversions to habitable rooms and many more. For example, here’s a list of some of their recent projects - Pencoed Road, Burry Port – Sun Lounge extension to existing dwelling house and detached detached sauna. 19 Gwelfor, Penygraig, Llanelli – New bedroom, bathroom and conservatory Oak Tree Lodge, Saundersfoot – Sun Lounge extension and double garage. 30 Glynhir Road, Llandybie – Two storey extension to dwelling house. 19 Lon Brydwen, Gorseinon – Detached Sun-Room extension to dwelling. Garreg Lwyd – Alterations and extension to dwelling. Rhodfa’r Capel – Conversion of gara...

The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd. have announced the promotion of David Ward to Technical Director. The Llanelli-based firm has a growing portfolio of work projects in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. “David’s elevation to technical director from associate director adds further weight to an already experienced team at the Lewis Partnership,” said managing director Philip Lewis. “He is a key player in the continued development of the team at the Lewis Partnership and all his colleagues are delighted he has now been elevated to the position of technical director.” Born and brought up in Ammanford, David is married with two sons, with his family home now being in the Tycroes area. He was educated at Amman Valley Comprehensive School and The University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd. David joined what was then the firm of Wynford and Philip Lewis, Architects and Surveyors, in 1997 as an Architectural Technician, while continuing to read for his ...

The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have just been awarded two prestigious ‘benchmark’ international standards awards. To gain the awards, the firm had to undergo a rigorous five-day audit of their practices and procedures. “It was hard work, but well worth it in the end,” said managing director Philip Lewis. The firm has been awarded ISO 14001 and has had its long-established ISO 9001 accreditation renewed. The awards focus on quality management and environmental management. Mr Lewis said: “As a firm of architects we have a reputation in the community and the ISO awards help to show people how seriously we take things like quality management and environmental management. “These are not just ‘tick box’ awards. The demands of each award are very strict and there is a high level of scrutiny on what the company does and how it works. “Quality is very much ‘front of mind’ for what we do as a firm of architects and we are delighted to find that our audit...

The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have announced the promotion of Rachel Thomas to finance director. Rachel has been working for the Lewis Partnership since September 2005 and is an experienced Sage accountant. “Rachel was already playing a key role in the development of the Lewis Partnership,” said managing director Philip Lewis. “She is a key member of our team and all her colleagues are delighted she has now been elevated to the position of finance director.” Born and brought up in Llanelli, Rachel’s family home is now in Penllergaer, Swansea. Married with two daughters, aged nine and seven, she was educated at St Michael’s School, Bryn, and Graig Comprehensive School in Llanelli. She started her financial career with Lloyds TSB Bank. She worked as a student officer, account manager and assistant to the manager of the Pontarddulais Branch before moving to join the Lewis Partnership. Rachel said: “It is wonderful to work for such a well-respected fi...

The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have been reappointed consultant architects to Llanelli Town Council. The Llanelli-based firm has accepted a five-year role with the local authority. “We are delighted to be chosen by Llanelli Town Council for the role,” said managing director Philip Lewis. “The Lewis Partnership is a firm with a strong commitment to the community in Llanelli. “We have a strong track record of working with the town council (and with other local authorities in South Wales) and we look forward to a successful relationship with the Llanelli authority. “As consultant architects, we will be responsible for the design of future town council projects. We will work closely with the council to ensure that the authority gets the best possible value for money in any new work.” Mr Lewis added: “We are a strong team at the Lewis Partnership using the very latest high-tech Autocad computer-aided design to complete projects. “We believe passionatel...

The award-winning Lewis Partnership is playing a key role in the £2million refurbishment of Llanelli’s Coleshill Social Centre.  The centre is being transformed into an innovative ‘one stop shop’ for disabled and disadvantaged people. “This is a very exciting project for Llanelli and we are very proud to be associated with it,” said Philip Lewis, managing director of the Lewis Partnership. “As the architects for the project, we are closely involved with delivering the vision for the centre. “When it is complete, it will be called a ‘centre for economic inclusion’. “But that only goes a part of the way to describing the work which will go on there, “It will play a huge part in helping disabled and disadvantaged people to live independent lives.” Building work is progressing swiftly at the site on the edge of Llanelli’s People’s Park and should be completed by the end of May. Mr Lewis added: “This is a very innovative project for Llanelli involving all sorts of partnerships and ...