The RIBA 'Architect in The House' charity fundraising scheme has been extended until the 25th July.Local Architects practice based in Plymouth and Exmouth in Devon  ‘Jonathan Braddick – Chartered Architect Devon’ has signed up to take part in Architect in the House, the joint charitable initiative by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Shelter.

 
Homeowners can receive a one hour consultation with an RIBA Chartered Architect (such as Jonathan Braddick) for a suggested donation of £40 to Shelter. Whether it’s inspiration for a study, an extra bedroom, or just better living space you need, a Chartered RIBA Architect can offer creativity and professional advice that will help bring your ideas to life.

Jonathan Braddick – Chartered Architect Devon said:

‘I urge anyone in Devon who is thinking of undertaking work on their home to use an architect who has signed up for Architect in the House. We can help people unleash the potential of their homes while helping those with more significant housing problems.’

Shelter estimates that more than 650,000 households in Britain are overcrowded, affecting over 1 million children in England alone. The donation will go towards Shelter’s work to help all those living in conditions that have a devastating effect on family life and children’s safety, health and education.

Architect in the House is an innovative scheme run by Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Homeowners are matched with a local RIBA/RIAS/RSUA Chartered Architect who has donated an hour of their time for a design consultation. In exchange, the homeowner can make a suggested donation of £40 to Shelter.

In the UK today:

over one million children are growing up in overcrowded homes in England more than 1.8 million households are on social housing waiting lists in England  in 2010, 36,600 homes in the UK were repossessed.

Shelter works tirelessly with the people worst affected by the housing crisis, helping them find and keep a home that’s decent, secure and permanent. Our services are needed now more than ever.

Where Your Money Goes

The money you donate goes towards Shelter’s work with families in housing need. One in seven children in Britain lives in housing that’s run-down, overcrowded, or temporary. Shelter supports them and fights to protect their education, health and wellbeing. A donation of £40 could pay for a helpline adviser to give emergency housing advice to a family fleeing domestic violence.

How to Register

You can register from 16 April 2012 until 6pm on 11 July 2012. Simply enter your details, and wait for your confirmation email. Once you’re matched with an architect, we’ll email you their contact details so you can get in touch.

Your Consultation

Contact your architect to arrange a consultation before 30 November 2012.

As well as design ideas, RIBA/RIAS/RSUA Chartered Architects can also advise on planning, fittings and lighting, give energy-saving and environmental advice, and manage builders.

After the consultation, you can decide if you would like to continue to work with your Architect on a commission basis.

Donations

Client donation form - England (PDF, 348Kb)

We suggest that you make a £40 donation to Shelter, however this is not a fee and it’s up to you how much you give.

You can donate online using our secure payment page. If you do this before your consultation, please print out the confirmation email and show this to your architect.

You can also donate by cheque, either sent directly to Shelter or handed to your architect after your consultation.

If you pay by cheque, please make it payable to ‘Shelter’ and return it with the Architect in the House donation form for your country.

However you donate, please select the Gift Aid option as this means Shelter can claim back the tax on your donation, increasing its value by almost a third at no extra cost to you.

How Your Donation Helps

Your donation will go towards Shelter’s work with children and families in desperate housing need.

£40 could pay for a helpline adviser to give emergency housing advice to a family fleeing domestic violence.

£50 helps pay for a Shelter caseworker to attend court to prevent a family being unlawfully evicted.

£75 means Shelter can pay for ongoing support and practical help for a homeless family settling into a new home.

Celebrity And Media Support

George Clarke, Architect and presenter of TV’s Restoration Man, is supporting Architect in the House 2012. George, who is also an ambassador for Shelter, says:

‘The current state of the housing market means that more and more first-time buyers are investing in properties that need renovation. At the same time, those already on the property ladder are looking at ways to improve their home by adding extra bedrooms or creating more space.

‘Whatever the project, architects can help to release your property’s potential by offering invaluable advice on everything from structural design to fixtures and fittings. Architect in the House is a great way to make the most of their expert advice while raising money for Shelter at the same time. As a Shelter ambassador I’ve seen first-hand how the money raised by this scheme helps people in desperate housing need.’

Sarah Beeny, the television presenter best known for her no-nonsense property advice, supported Architect in the House 2011.Sarah said:

‘It offers the chance for a fresh pair of eyes to look at your property and come up with suggestions that you hadn’t thought of. And it’s for a worthy cause: Shelter is a great charity that helps those at the very blunt end of homelessness in the country’.