Reviews

From the start you approached the assignment with a level of creativity and originality, as well as an understanding of how we wanted to live as a family, not shown by any of the many other architects we spoke to. Throughout you have demonstrated exemplary attention to detail, patience and a clear enjoyment in what you do. We started with a run down, dark, claustrophobic house and have ended up with a property truly worthy of its setting in the most beautiful countryside I know. CM

West yard farm (another VES project) inspired our own project, merging the old and new together. Eilir took initial oversight for the scheme and its direction including the required bat loft! Ian, ably assisted by Chris completed all the planning and full scheme details including the impressively helpful 3D iPad model to visualise the whole scheme. Results are impressive and we are delighted with it and the reality matches the concept brilliantly, another exceptional job by the VES team. JE

We used van Ellen and Sheryn as we had been impressed by a project they had completed on Dartmoor. We worked alongside both Eilir and Ian and both were very approachable, experienced and informal....which we liked. They listened to our brief and appreciated that we had a budget. Our project was complicated as we wanted to retain the Georgian frontage of the building and demolish the rear, adding a contemporary barn like structure. They were always available and professional throughout.. It's reassuring to know they are just down the road should we need advice or clarification during the build process. We would certainly recommend them. SC

From the start you approached the assignment with a level of creativity and originality, as well as an understanding of how we wanted to live as a family, not shown by any of the many other architects we spoke to. Throughout you have demonstrated exemplary attention to detail, patience and a clear enjoyment in what you do. We started with a run down, dark, claustrophobic house and have ended up with a property truly worthy of its setting in the most beautiful countryside I know. CM

I have known and worked with van Ellen + Sheryn for more than a decade, both as a contractor and customer. We have worked together on several projects, including two of my own self-builds. My faith and confidence in them continues and I would always be happy to use, work for, or recommend the firm. SR

First class service! We chose van Ellen & Sheryn after seeing examples of the work in the area. Ian Phillips worked hard to understand our needs and preferences before coming up with his exciting design, which we loved. They guided us through all aspects of the project, from getting planning permission (within Dartmoor National Park!), through to appointing a builder. They managed all aspects of the project and we are delighted with the final result. They provided much more than just a design service. I cannot recommend them highly enough. ND

Van Ellen & Sheryn are an excellent architectural team, they designed an award winning contemporary house for us in Devon. Eilir and Ian are very creative and proactive people and I would definitely use them again and always recommend them to other people. MH

We bought this house in 2016 and approached Van Ellen Sheryn because we wanted to extend the living room. The drawings for the new room were stunning. However, when the builders began work, they discovered wet rot throughout the house. Eventually, it was decided that the house would need to be demolished and rebuilt. VES dealt with all the necessary paperwork, applied for the original planning permission, the permission to demolish the building, then the new planning permission. They kept us informed at every step of the way, and they redesigned the internal space of the house. We were extremely pleased with the way that VES reimagined both the internal layout and the outside terracing. Work began on the house in October 2018 and was completed in October 2019. My husband passed away in April 2019, so never got to see the finished house. VES and the wonderful builders (Kesterbrook) could not have been kinder – in fact, when I took over the house upon completion, the builders presented me with an oak plaque to remember Roy, which is now fixed to the external apex of the living room, which faces Burgh Island. I can highly recommend Van Ellen Sheryn, not only for the beautiful design of the house, but also for their attention to detail and monthly progress reports (which was an additional service). Everyone who has visited the house is blown away by the imaginative use of space and light. VES have ensured that from the moment you enter the house, the views are spectacular. It is now a much loved family holiday home and we look forward to being able to use it again once pandemic restrictions are eased. SP

Fortunately we don't have to search the country too hard for inspiring design. A property i feel fits this bill is Hidden House in Ashburton. Not only is the building clever in its fabrication, but perhaps even more so in its execution - something of utmost importance when plans for the new build had to ensure there was no impact on the neighbour's countryside views. JC

We were completely new to anything like this; We’ve never even used an architect before. We met many, most of whom were based closer but it was perfectly obvious to both of us that Eilir and his team were the ones we wanted to use. They far outclassed everyone else we met. We loved their work and felt our aesthetic was similar. Plus we felt we’d get on as people. And be able to lean on them when things got stressful as they inevitably will do! We are yet to begin the build but have done the design and got planning approval, undoubtedly thanks to Van Ellen & Sheryn. They contributed so much to getting the design through planning, really working with the council to ensure it would get approval. It is quite a brave design for a barn so we hadn’t expected it to be so smooth but Van Ellen & Sheryn managed to achieve our mutual ambition for the project, whilst at the same time satisfying any potential concerns the council might have. Beautiful, interesting, sympathetic design generated by lovely, talented people who have given us lots of time and attention when we ask for it. And they have great knowledge - and taste. From my experience so far, they are a class act. JB

van Ellen + Sheryn have a consistent and thorough approach to the design of individual properties as well as place making. The projects we have undertaken with them have expertly balanced our brief with relevant contemporary design that is highly marketable. Their design lead approach, along with excellent interpersonal skills, pays dividends when presenting proposals to both Local Authorities and the public at consultation events. GF

We have commissioned van Ellen & Sheryn to design a new purpose built cookery school building in Ashburton which was opened in 2010 along with subsequent extensions to the building in more recent years. As a customer facing business we welcome thousands of people from around the world to spend large amounts of time (up to 6 months) within our building, so it is imperative that it is welcoming and attractive from the outside and a light and enjoyable space to work in. van Ellen & Sheryn showed an excellent understanding of the brief and gave us multiple, well-visualised concepts to help us focus towards a finished concept and plans. We are sited within Dartmoor Park conservation area which brings with it special considerations of materials and design, and much time was saved by having architects experienced of working within these parameters. There were no issues gaining planning permission. The finished build is exactly as visualised and designed by the architects - an outstanding building to look at and work in that makes the most of the site within which it sits and is a delight to work in. Several years later the business needed to expand and we commissioned van Ellen & Sheryn for the extensions. This was a tricky brief, adding on two new dining rooms to the existing facade and had the potential of spoiling the strength of the original design. Their design has actually strengthened the impact of the facade of the building which is quite an achievement. I would recommend van Ellen & Sheryn architects for projects of all sizes. They are a modern architect studio, small enough to care about all their projects, but experienced enough to cope with projects of all sizes. I feel they offer extremely good value. The work they have executed for us is contemporary yet looks better as time moves on - the sign of a great architect. DO

Broadhempston Village Hall was completed in December 2015 and is now an outstanding feature of our vibrant rural community. Our CIO's project panel chose VE&S out of a number of interested architects and our choice was entirely justified. The architect's brief was fulfilled with imagination, precision of design and to budget. We now have a carbon-neutral hall which serves the community extremely well and we would not hesitate to recommend the VE&S team for its responsiveness, the quality of its work, the value for money (important to our charity where every penny counts!) and just the great pleasure of working with them. PS

We have been clients of van Ellen + Sheryn since their early days and have always found them a pleasure to work with. We are still with van Ellen + Sheryn partly because they are excellent architects but also because we get a highly personalised service. We are consistently looked after by the right person and our requests are dealt with swiftly DS

In 2013 I built a new home for my family in Totnes. This was based on plans and design produced by Eilir Sheryn. He assisted me throughout the design, planning and build process and I would commend him to anyone with a building project in mind. I found his genuine interest and willingness to help in all aspects of the project to be especially helpful along with other members of the VES team all of whom who I found to be both professional and personable. SR