New Year, new opportunity?

Current Vacancy: we are currently looking for Architects and Architectural Technicians/Technologists.

Candidates at various points in their career progression are welcome, with enthusiasm and a willingness to adapt quickly to new practices.

Stone + Partners are a busy practice located in the centre of Taunton, offering attractive salary and good career development.  We have an opportunity for a talented individual with a sound knowledge of construction, design flair and Autocad/Revit experience to contribute to our friendly team. 

Contact: taunton@stone-partners.co.uk with CV details and brief portfolio of recent work. Please include availability for interviews. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

A new lease of life

This project in Bridgwater for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust was recently handed over. We worked closely with Wrencon Ltd to give this listed building a new lease of life, providing community services along with staff working areas..

We’ve moved!

From our old offices at Billetfield, we have now relocated as planned to Viney Court, in Victoria Street, Taunton, from where we are continuing to advise our clients on all aspects of design and construction including site acquisition; planning; project management; listed buildings, conservation and restoration, much as we have since 1908.

Moving with the times

Designing workspaces to help organisations adapt to their changed requirements has long been a valued service provided by Stone + Partners. Highlighted by post-pandemic changes to patterns of working, many people now understand how important it is that where we work is aligned with how we work, which requires flexibility and change.

Next month Stone + Partners will be demonstrating this by relocating our offices to Viney Court, in Victoria Street, Taunton – moving into a building developed by Summerfield Developments Ltd (with a little help from us) back in 2009.  Making the most of a change in priorities for the owners of our current offices at Saxum House, we have decided to take our own advice and re-design our workspace to suit how we work now and in the future.  

The fit-out works at Viney Court will be completed in the next few days. We can’t wait to move in and open this new phase in the progress of Stone + Partners.

Back to school…

Stone + Partners are delighted to share these new images of the brand new Sixth Form Centre and Library which will be open to students at Taunton School from September.

The former upper and lower dining rooms have been transformed into a modern sixth form study centre with study pods, a social space and gender neutral toilets, and the newly relocated Carrington Library.

Décor in the refurbished sixth form centre has been designed with the help of Year 11 and Year 12 students.

This exciting project is part of the wider campus development plan, which includes new a state-of-the art international school and improved sports facilities.

Nick gets his hands dirty

Director Nick Ratcliff loves a challenge, and recently took part in a Race for Life Pretty Muddy at Bristol, raising money for Cancer Research UK.  Despite the sunshine, there had been enough rainfall earlier to provoke plenty of slippery mayhem, and Nick, his wife Julie and daughter Emily were suitably filthy and exhilarated by the time the 5k muddy run was completed.

In a word to their sponsors they said, ‘We would like to thank each and every one of you for your donations which have amounted to a whopping £238! A great amount towards beating cancer!’

Rumours that Stone + Partners staff are now considering similar efforts cannot be confirmed – but neither have they been denied! Watch this space…

Something to celebrate!

Clients and colleagues past and present joined family and friends to wish former directors Jon and Lynn Upsher well as they began their retirement last month. Jon shared reminiscences and stories amassed over the decades and described his satisfaction at having successfully steered Stone + Partners through some challenging times, so as to now be able to hand a thriving practice on to Nick Ratcliff.  Nick expressed the thoughts of all present when he thanked Jon for his outstanding commitment and service, and wished both Jon and Lynn a long and very happy retirement.

After all the difficulties of the past two years it was excellent to meet face to face with so many who have been involved with Stone + Partners in the past, and to renew the personal connections which are such a key aspect of our collaboration with our colleagues and our service to our clients.  As Director Nick Ratcliff puts it: ‘Good buildings result from people working well together, sharing a commitment to a common goal. Strong personal relationships remain fundamental to who we are as Stone + Partners.’

Under new management

After an association of 35 years with Stone + Partners, and at the helm for the past four years, Jon Upsher has now retired as Director.  His dedication and service throughout the pandemic has been paramount in the continuation of Stone + Partners and its legacy.  We therefore want to take this opportunity to wish Jon a long, happy, and satisfying retirement and thank him for his incredible service and dedication over the years.

Nick Ratcliff, who has been Senior Architect at Stone + Partners since 2019, after a career of more than 20 years in the industry, is now Director and is leading Stone + Partners into this new and exciting chapter of the practice’s development.

Stone + Partners have always taken pride in their prompt and personalised approach to every client.  This will continue with projects, both ongoing and new and our dedicated team will continue to fulfil your brief to its full potential with Nick now at the helm.

Our Taunton office is now fully open

Throughout the pandemic our staff have worked safely and efficiently at home and in the office, serving our clients.  The office is now open from 9am to 5pm if you need to drop in to see us.

If you want to enquire about a possible project, please send an email outlining your project and location and we will be in touch with you as soon as we can.

Our clients are important to us and rest assured our service and commitment remain paramount!

Latest News – Our Office is Open

Throughout the recent outbreak of Covid-19  our staff have worked safely and efficiently at home and will continue to do so for the next few weeks.  The office is now open with slightly reduced hours so please make sure we are here if you need to pop in!

If you want to enquire about a possible project, please send an email outlining your project and location and we will be in touch with you as soon as we can.

Our clients are important to us and rest assured our service and commitment is paramount!