Starting from Scratch at Opal Tide

Starting from Scratch at Opal Tide

Once completed in October 2012, the Opal Tide property will boast two beautiful en-suite bedrooms, along with a lounge, large open-plan kitchen, utility room, cloakroom and garage. A central feature will be the cantilevered walnut staircase, which will incorporate a wire suspended balustrade.

Sustainable features include efficient boilers, under floor heating and scope for photovoltaic cells on the roof. The main contractor for the project is Jon Matthews.

Situated close to the coast, the development is in close proximity to the surrounding countryside and boasts fantastic views of the islands. A first floor balcony with a glass balustrade and a raised patio at the rear of the building will offer occupants an unrivalled view of the coast.

John Hibbs, PF+A, said: “This was a derelict house that was not serving any purpose and the owners saw an opportunity to develop the home and make it into something beautiful that someone will want to live in.

One of the main challenges we have had to work around is the site’s location on the boundary of an old quarry. Because one of the easterly boundaries has a cliff face, we had to involve a structural engineer to ensure that the quarry wasn’t going to crumble away and the house wouldn’t fall down”.

Jon Matthews added: “The original dig proved particularly challenging, as the ground was all stone. As a result, we had to put more concrete in the footings and incorporate a large amount of steelwork. However, once this issue was resolved the project continued to progress well. It has been a pleasure to work on the project at Opal Tide. We are extremely happy to be working with PF+A to deliver the project, which will create a great property in a fantastic location.

As long as the customer is happy, we’re happy.”

This article first appeared in the April edition of Premier Construction Magazine. The article also featured PF+A projects Les Petites Fontaines, Old Bank Chambers, Opal Tide and La Vinnaire.

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Guelles Lane
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2DD

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contact@pfaarchitecture.com

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Ollie Muston MCIAT

E: ollie.muston@pfaarchitecture.com

T: 01481 712633

Having been educated and grown up in Guernsey and developing a passion for technical design work, information technology and an intrigue for building design and history during his GCSE years, Oliver decided to commence his career in 1999 as an Architectural Technologist with Lovell Ozanne one of the largest architectural practices in the Channel Islands, During those first inspiring 9 years he gained his BTEC HNC qualification increasing his fundamental experience and developing his knowledge base by working on multi-million pound commercial and residential developments including, Mixed Use and Redevelopment Areas (MURA), offices, apartments and industrial units.

Moving to the States of Guernsey’s Property Services Team in 2008, Oliver was able to learn invaluable working skills and practices, increasing his expanding skillset in tendering and contract administration, whilst having the opportunity to work on public buildings and the differing challenges brought about by these types of projects. These projects encompassed education premises, States buildings with high security requirements, projects at the airport and harbours and fully accessible health facilities. Full Accessibility audits for the health facilities became a prominent project for Oliver as his career progressed and he carried out a number of audits and reports for substantial business within the Island.

Now with a total of 21 years’ experience within the industry, his expansive knowledge not only covers all areas of a very vast field, but includes all aspects of a project from inception right through to the final handover of a completed project; which, for Oliver is the most rewarding experience.

Oliver’s exceptional wealth of knowledge has lead him to gain his chartership with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists and was formally invited to become an Interview Assessor for the Institute in 2015, a position limited to only a small number and in which someone can only be invited by the Institute. Oliver completed the necessary assessor training a few months later.

Ever striving to continue growing and expanding his professional knowledge, Oliver is a driven member of PF+A and one of the top in his field. With his professional yet friendly approachable nature he is an individual able to facilitate and communicate to clients, contractors, sub-contractors and other third parties to ensure that a project is always the best it can be. Internally an exceptional trainer to the less experienced members of the team with an ease of teaching methods to ensure an unseamingly level of continuity for their development.

In his spare time Oliver enjoys spending time with his young family of three daughters, experiencing travelling and cultural diversity and of course Guernsey’s beautiful outdoor environment.