Leading design company, Alexander James Interiors (AJI), responsible for dressing show homes in the Home Counties and London region, has branched out into architectural specification.

Within weeks of launching this new service to housebuilders, property developers and private clients, interiors and flooring consultants, Alexander James has projects underway for property with a gross value of £45 million.

The immediate influx of business suggests a strong demand for architectural specification and indicates that AJI is highly regarded within the housebuilding community.

Architectural specification is a stage or more before interior design, and involves the identification and coordination of every fitment and finish that is required in a new home or refurbishment project, from coving and cornice selection, flooring material, stone, tile and ceramic choices and the positioning of electrical circuitry and sockets.


Alexander James, managing director, Robert Walker, said: "Lighting and electrics are hugely important in a new home. This has become an increasingly specialist area and a high value new property can typically incorporate a mix of digital dimming and mood lighting, multi-source multi-room audio and video, interactive touch screen and remote dial up telephone for heating, lighting and curtain control.

"Our housebuilder and private clients are seeing an influx of new products coming to the market in a mesmerising range of designs and the challenge is to select the appropriate mix and put it all together with style and professionalism. Kitchen and bathroom design is particularly important and these two elements can be an immediate switch-on or off for housebuyers.

"Purchasers have high expectations and housebuilders need to be confident that their property projects that are now at the planning stage will all be precisely what the new house buyer wants in six months time."

(JM)