Oak-frame architect profile Blast Architects

Blast Architects has ten years of varied experience in designing and constructing both contemporary and traditional oak-framed structures.

Oak Framed House created by Blast Architects

Blast Architects is proud to say it designs and builds beautiful homes.

The practice is Glasgow-based, though works all over the UK.

Blast Architects specialises in the use of applied craft in building. Combined with other trades, carpentry and the thoughtful use of timber in construction form the basis for the work of this practice. Blast’s vision and skill in green-oak architecture empowers clients to realise their dreams of living in beautifully designed and constructed oak-framed buildings. The practice helps people build their dream oak-frame house via an open client-centred design forum.

With over ten years’ experience in this field Blast Architects understands both the benefits and challenges in using unseasoned ‘green’ timber. The practice designs bespoke carpentry buildings tailored to its clients’ needs, using soft, red and hardwoods. In jointing these the design can be very traditional or very contemporary. Blast Architects has built both traditional frames in Devon villages and visionary energy-efficient green-oak pods on Hebridean Islands. Blast fully understands the historical and cultural relevance of green-oak framing and its traditions, but the practice also strives to push boundaries, while leaning on the past for reference.

Blast founder and principal architect Andy McAvoy spent many years studying and conserving utilitarian buildings in both the Hebrides and Cyprus, resulting in a thoughtful and meticulous approach to materials and their application. The practice is therefore well placed in relation to green-oak framing and timber construction within architecture.

Blast has worked on several construction projects combining oak with steel to achieve larger spans, whilst still providing beautiful design solutions. In this way Blast is contributing a great deal to the re-evaluation of the potential of oak framing within contemporary architecture.

Blast Architects has produced many manufacturing drawings for Carpenter Oak & Woodland when it has needed some specialist input and the practice equally looks to Carpenter Oak & Woodland to continue to inform its own practice year on year.

Blast Architects enjoys working on challenging sites and resists imported forms and styles so commonly dominating the landscapes.

Blast sensitively questions the house-building tendencies of the time. Energy efficiency and sustainability have been inherent in the practice’s work since it began and meeting high performance targets is a top priority. Sourcing local timber and supporting an ecological approach to land use and sustainable forestry is a core value underpinning Blast Architects.

The practice promotes new buildings that consider site-based realities and what climatically might be to come. Blast learns from the past to generate new building prototypes and systems that will make gentle and considered marks on the landscape.

Customers’ comments

“Blast Architects has exceeded all our expectations in gaining what we were told was an impossible planning permission! And they have designed us a home and working environment, tailored and responsive to our changing needs. ”Peter Henderson on his new Croft House at Dark Wood Rosneath – Argyll

“Andy has proven to be an inspiration to his clients in being so hands-on and so passionate about his work whilst designing this green-oak cruck-framed house.”Kevin Macleod, Channel 4 Grand Designs, commenting on The Long House at Kilcreggan featured on the programme

“It’s refreshing to work with a practice that will actually get involved in the construction in a hands-on way… they continue to learn whilst constructing and seem to respect the tradesmen.”Gavin Robb – on the first new steel and oak wedges at Little Mill of Clinterty

contact information

Blast Architects

120 Nithsdale Road
Glasgow
G41 5RB

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