Alice & Peter Carey

We were exploring options with regards renovation or new build after deciding to move back to my original home place after many years living and working in Dublin. We enquired about local architects and Vivian Cummins came highly recommended. Once we engaged with Vivian we knew we had made the right choice. Our initial concerns about not being listened to, having the architect be over prescriptive or having to compromise (we were watching too many architect shows on tv!) were all allayed after our first meeting. Vivian listened intently as we both put forward our own ideas, wish lists and indeed what we did not want. The pertinent questions posed by Vivian at our first and subsequent meetings were thought provoking, allowing us refine our own list of ‘must haves’ while all the time we felt in control of the decisions being taken. In the end we decided on a barn restoration, which, without Vivian’s vision, conservation expertise and sympathetic artistry when it comes to old buildings, we would never have even considered possible.

Despite the usual limitations and restrictions associated with listed buildings, Vivian created a wonderful design, maximising every opportunity afforded by the original structure of the building. He guided us through the whole planning application roadmap, the myriad of documents required by the County Council and even accompanied us to meetings with the Council, which made the entire process much less daunting for us. In addition to the design process, we retained Vivian as Project Manager for the project. We were kept up to date on each and every development and there were regular meetings facilitated between the Building Contractor and ourselves to ensure the project was kept on schedule and within budget. Vivian’s attention to detail, accessibility and genuine interest in achieving the best possible outcome for the client made all the difference in our restoration project. The result is an amazing home which we both absolutely love…Thank you!