Rooms
under
the
SKY
'Rooms under
the Sky'
~ offers architectural & making services
to help you realise your project.
My name is Douglas Ardern.
I am an architect & maker based near Landshipping, in Pembrokeshire
and I have been working on mostly residential projects for some 30 years.
I design - & can now make - thoughtful buildings and interiors that not only provide shelter and support everyday activities, but also consider how the facades line spaces outside them, making rooms under the sky.
My recent, and ongoing, research has been into environmentally sustainable methods of building and ways of living - whereby my partner and I have undertaken a One Planet Development.
As such I can offer ideas of how to fulfil your project using recycled and natural materials that won't cost the earth.
I have also worked for other architectural practices where I led teams on a
RIBA award winning hotel
and a Stirling Prize winning housing project.
News
'One Planet Development Water Shed' - Construction commences
~
'One Planet Development Solar Shed' - Construction commences
~
'One Planet Development Compost Toilet' - Construction commences
~
'One Planet Development Studio' - Re-construction commences
~
'Pembrokeshire ~ One Planet Development Scheme' - Planning permission received
~
'Vale of Glamorgan ~ Garden Studio' - planning permission received
Portfolio
Experience
2026
Rooms Under the Sky
~ Pembrokeshire
Architect & Maker (Sole Trader)
'Rooms Under the Sky' is my thesis and practice to promote sustainable means of living in symbiosis with the natural elements of the planet.
1998 - 1999
Lund Hagem Arkiterkter
Architects Assistant
Nine projects were worked on during the year,
including my first project as the lead architect :
Villa Børresen ~ a private house extension
(studio & breakfast room), garage conversion,
layout redistribution & full house refurbishment
in Oslo, Norway
1992 - 1998
Edinburgh College of Art / Heriot-Watt University
BArch Hons First Class , DipArch , ARB
During this time I took part in a 6 month exchange with : 'Rhode Island School of Design'
~ part of Brown University
Full ARB qualification gained at :
The Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture & Design
London Metropolitan University in 2008-2009
2018 - 2026
'Cae Calon'
One Planet Development
Owner
My partner and I took on a commitment to reduce our impact on the planet to that of an equal share with the rest of the population.
The project involves community outreach,
building low impact structures
and land management by way of growing food
+ produce and by way of re-wilding.​
2013
Prince of Wales
Ideal Home Show House
Young Designer Competition
I led a team including Jamie Wallace and
Ruaridh Inverarity to design a house and apartment
over a shop ~ entitled 'Future Traditional'.
Our winning entry was constructed in Earls Court
forming the centre piece for the 2013 Ideal Home Show.
2009
Rome Scholarship
in Landscape Architecture
I was awarded a scholarship to study Italian Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the British School at Rome. The study culminated in a Mostra (Group Show) in December 2010 entitled :
‘The Things I did and the Money I spent’
for which I made an installation piece entitled: ‘Rooms Under the Sky’​
2002 - 2014
MaccreanorLavington Architects
Associate
During this time I worked on the Olympic Legacy Masterplan and led teams on an RIBA award wining hotel in London called 'H10 Waterloo' and 'Accordia' ~ the Stirling Prize winning housing project in Cambridge
2002
Bambus Arkitekter
Director
Andreas Poulsen, Marcus Pran and myself
set up a practice in Oslo, Norway
where I worked on projects including
a house extension, a house addition and
an apartment redistribution and refurbishment.
The practice continues today as 'DRIV Arkitekter'
2000 - 2002
Harper Mackay Architects
Architects Assistant
During this time I worked on many office development projects ~ refurbishments and new-builds including
'Soho Court', a major mixed use development including
offices, shops, restaurants, private & affordable housing
Great Windmill St., & Denman St., London
1995 - 1996
Architects Assistant
I worked on 8 projects during my year out including Private Service Apartments, Brouwersgracht, Amsterdam, the Netherlands