Notes from
the drawing board.
Field notes, planning explainers and the occasional opinion, written between site visits. Long-form on the work itself, shorter pieces on materials, planning policy, retrofit and the quieter parts of designing a house.
Recent notes.
Shared Drains: Who's Responsible, and What It Means for Your Extension
Who is responsible for a shared drain? Since 2011, most shared drains and the pipe beyond your boundary belong to the water company. Diagrams explain how it works for detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, and how to design an extension around one.
Minimum ceiling height for a loft conversion or roof extension, and the ridge height it demands
How much headroom does a loft conversion need? The ceiling height worth aiming for, the ridge height it takes to get there, and what else decides whether an attic will convert. Jake White Architecture, Sussex and Surrey.
Architect or Architectural Technologist: which one do you need for your extension?
For an extension, you can choose between an Architect or a Chartered Architectural Technologist. The law asks for competent design, not a particular title. The practical difference, explained.
What is a Principal Designer, and do I need one for my home extension?
Two Principal Designer roles, when each applies to a domestic extension or loft conversion, and what happens if no one is appointed.
The Architecture of Micro-Automation: Why Seconds Matter
How micro-automation compounds into transformational efficiency. A Python tool for automatic filename date management, built with vibe coding principles.
Finalist · Chartered Architectural Technologist of the Year 2024
Jake White MCIAT named finalist for the Chartered Architectural Technologist of the Year Award 2024.