Q&A with Keith, Site Manager at Altoria Homes

With over four decades of experience and deep Northumbrian roots, Keith oversees each Altoria Homes development to ensure every bungalow meets our exacting standards.

In this Q&A, he reveals how we balance luxury finishes, energy-efficient features, and sustainable practices, working closely with suppliers and buyers to create lifelong homes that are as kind to the environment as they are comfortable to live in.

1. What inspired you to join Altoria Homes? What aspects of the company and its mission resonate with you personally?

I admired Alan and Vicky’s passion for building bespoke, high-quality bungalows in Northumberland. We are all aware of the significant demand for such homes, and with my forty plus years of experience in site management, along with my roots as a local Northumbrian, their mission resonated with me. I wanted to be part of building solid, bespoke life-long homes within my community.

As Site Manager, my role involves overseeing the management and operation of our construction sites. This includes navigating the pre-construction phase, where I engage with suppliers and contractors to review specifications and materials, as well as handling the daily operations of a construction site.

2. Can you describe the materials and finishes used in the bungalows at West Thirston, and how do they contribute to the overall luxury feel of the homes?

The materials utilised at West Thirston are of the highest quality. Externally, each bungalow features Tyne Valley Buff stone sourced from a quarry in Northumberland, complemented by Cambrian roof slate to ensure that each home sits seamlessly into its surroundings.

Internally, we incorporate premium materials such as quartz worktops, integrated Neff appliances, Villeroy and Boch bathroom fixtures, Porcelanosa tiles, and oak doors as standard.

When combined, these elements create a home that is just as luxurious on the inside as it appears on the outside.

3. What specific features are included in the bungalows that enhance energy efficiency and sustainability?

Stepping back from the final finishings I previously discussed, the essence of this home has been crafted to be not only visually appealing but also fundamentally sustainable. At Altoria Homes, our mission is to create life-long homes that withstand the test of time, and sustainability is achieved in various ways at West Thirston.

First, we use high-quality insulation that complies with the latest regulations, ensuring your home retains warmth for extended periods.

Additionally, we have integrated cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies, including air source heat pumps, underfloor heating, and electric vehicle chargers.

These systems work together to significantly reduce your energy costs while enhancing your comfort at home and minimising your environmental footprint.

4. How does Altoria Homes ensure that the construction process minimises environmental impact while maintaining high-quality standards?

At Altoria Homes, we are committed to making continuous improvements in our environmental practices as a local developer.

We work to minimise our environmental impact by collaborating with our suppliers and contractors early in the construction phase. This allows us to discuss materials that help reduce our carbon footprint and decrease waste.

We are proud to have recently formed a partnership with Green Acres, a local business focused on carbon off-setting in Northumberland. So far, we have planted 150 trees to offset the carbon emissions generated during the construction phase at West Thirston.

5. What steps are taken during the construction process to guarantee that each bungalow meets the luxury standards expected by buyers?

It is my responsibility to supervise the construction process for each development, ensuring that every phase, from the groundworks to handover, is executed to the highest standard and meets the requirements of each buyer.

We take great pride in our exceptional customer service. We provide a clear outline of the process from purchase to handover, along with the complete specifications for each new home. We encourage every buyer to visit their property at various stages to witness the progress of their new build and to appreciate the quality that goes into each home.

6. Can you share how your team collaborates with suppliers to source sustainable materials for the bungalows?

Once a development receives approval, we invest considerable time in the pre-construction phase with our potential suppliers to discuss available, sustainable, and efficient materials. This process can be time-consuming and often impacts the subsequent trades. Consequently, much of the bungalow design is a collaborative effort, involving weeks of discussions to ensure that the home is durable and efficient, from the foundation stage all the way to the final touches.

7. What challenges do you face in balancing luxury home construction with sustainable practices, and how do you overcome them?

At times, choosing sustainable options can be more expensive, and as a development company, we face the challenge of investing in environmentally friendly solutions which is why taking a collaborative approach with our suppliers from the initial stages of a build is imperative.  We allow ourselves the time to thoroughly evaluate each material we use to ensure it meets all our criteria. 

As a local developer, our reputation is extremely important to us and so we ensure every home we build is of the highest quality and as sustainable as possible for both current and future generations.