Barr architects - Cambridge

Linda Hunter

Barr Architects designed and supervised the construction of a house for my mother, who wanted to downsize to a smaller home. With Nathan's advice, she decided to build this in the garden of her existing home, enabling her to stay in the area of Cambridge where she already lived.

Throughout the entire process from initial thoughts and designs, through planning, choosing a builder and then the actual build and finish itself, Barr Architects were amazingly helpful and supportive. Nathan visited the site almost every day and was always available for consultations, extra ideas and generally going above and beyond what would be expected for the role. He explained things very clearly and any necessary variations or alterations were communicated well. His design ideas were excellent, my mother's wishes were completely taken on board and she is absolutely delighted with her new home.

Would highly recommend!

Anna Wilson

We commissioned Barr Architects to renovate a semi-detached 1920s house in Cambridge.

We enjoyed worked closely with them on the preliminary designs - we felt our needs were taken on board well and were very impressed with how quickly a final plan was put through the planning process and a building contractor was appointed.

Nathan Barr has an extensive knowledge and experience of materials, building techniques and suppliers and was always very helpful and keen to offer advice.

With Barr Architects' expertise we transformed a dull, pokey house into an individual, light, spacious and stylish home that we are really proud to live in.

Amanda Grunfeld

I have used the services of Nathan Barr, one of the two principal architects of Barr Architects quite often when looking at houses in Cambridge to buy. He has an intuitive sense of structure like that of a chartered surveyor, an unsurpassed knowledge of housing stock in Cambridge and a rapid sense of what might be achievable with a building to adapt it or not to ones needs. Along with that a keen sense of probable prices necessary to put into effect the necessary building works to achieve the conversion. Working with Nathan is a demanding process as he expects that one be brutally honest in defining ones needs both present and future in terms of the habitable spaces one wants. He also educates one into identifying ones preferred ‘memorable spaces’ and identifying too the aesthetic one truly wants. For him, architectural form can only arise from reflection as to ones needs and so the process in doing so is often a very illuminating one. So much so that in my case, despite having visited four or five properties together thus far I have recognised through his rigorous tutorage that none have been suitable as yet. To visit Nathan’s new offices or indeed house will illustrate the kind of architect he is. He thinks ‘ out of the box’ , is very pragmatic and promotes buildings that allow for an on-going organic growth. Moreover, for many years while in London and in tandem with his architectural studies he ran a successful landscape design and construction business. Before that he was a farmer in Israel. His knowledge and empathy with plants and planting is reflected in his buildings which sit in beautiful gardens and are designed to create beautiful surrounds. His wife and the other principal partner has long been a senior partner and project manager for an internationally celebrated firm of London architects. During her time she has managed large scale projects and her thoroughness and great attention to detail compliments beautifully her husband’s intuitive sense of architecture and his passionate pragmatism. With Barr Architects, this husband and wife team can offer a service that will deliver expert advice from the concept and feasibility stage through to completion.

Ranbir Singh

Great!!

Having no previous building experience we are very lucky to have come across Bar Architects. They have been very easy to work with and straightforward in their approach, and have walked us through hand in hand from the initial ideas stage all the way through the final build.

The whole process has been made very easy, with lots of information given to keep us in the picture and let us know what the next step was. We recommend them without hesitation.

Damian Gillie

An extremely competent and imaginative architectural practice, to be thoroughly applauded!!

Giorgio Macola

John Clark