Appointing an architect can seem daunting if you haven’t worked with one before. The below explanatory text has been provided to give insight into our services and how the design process might proceed.
We're always happy to speak with you to better understand your aspirations for your project and the type of architectural service you may need.
If you have an upcoming project you would like to discuss then please feel free to reach out to us using the details provided on our contact page.
We like to be involved in projects from the very first discussions to the moment it is handed to you on completion of construction as this allows us to maintain a high level of design and construction quality, and it is how we feel we add the most value. In addition, It is always pleasing to witness those first conversations and sketch designs come to fruition.
Whilst not every project requires a full suite of design services, we are typically able to offer the following services:
- Concept design options
- Detailed design
- Interior design, including finishes, fixed fittings and sanitaryware
- Joinery and kitchen design concept and drawings
- 3D visualisations
- Construction drawings and specifications
- Planning applications
- Building Control applications
- Construction monitoring
The beginning of the project will be a period in which we collaboratively develop the brief based on the conversations we have with you about your ambitions and a site visit to better understand the property.
Once we have understood your needs we will produce sketch floor plan options that interpret your brief in different ways. These options will give you the ability to consider which proposal best suits your aspirations.
Once we have approval from you of your chosen design concept we progress into the next design stage. Here more detailed drawing information is produced, and key materials are discussed and chosen, and detailed 3D visualisations will be produced to better help you understand the proposals. The number of 3D visualisations is usually dependent on the size of the proposals.
During this stage, dependent on the project and its size / complexity, additional consultants may be required to detail certain aspects of the design. It is typical for a Structural Engineer to be required in most projects, and other consultants may be required also. While The consultants will be directly appointed by you, we will assist in reaching out and briefing them to help source quotations from them for you to consider before their appointment.
Further to their appointment we will lead the design coordination process and direct them to achieve the design vision.
Once the design is sufficiently detailed a drawing package and the necessary documents will be prepared for submission to the Local Authority for planning approval.
The completion of the previous stage allows the Technical Design to be developed in conjunction with the consultant team. This process produces the construction information and provides a high level of detail for you and the tendering contractors.
We will meet with you to discuss material, glazing, fittings (eg, lighting, sanitaryware etc) options to agree a specification for these items.
The information collated at the culmination of this design stage will typically take the form of construction drawings and specification documents, where all the above will be clearly itemised for you and to enable accurate pricing by the tendering contractors.
Once the Tender Information is ready we can assist you in finding suitable contractors to tender the work to. Once the list of contractors is agreed we will send the Tender Information to them to obtain a price for the work.
During the tendering process you will typically be able to meet the contractors and receive a tender return (quote) from them for the work you wish to carry out.
We can assist you in evaluating the contractors’ tender returns to inform your decision for your chosen contractor.
The construction phase is the period where all the hard work, discussions and decisions made in the previous stages start to take shape. We will be able to assist you in monitoring the work and reporting any issues to you and the contractor. We will also be able to assist with any queries that may arise during the construction process.
We like to be involved in projects from the very first discussions to the moment it is handed to you on completion of construction as this allows us to maintain a high level of design and construction quality, and as it is always pleasing to see our design come to fruition.
However, we understand that your needs may not require us to be involved at all stages, or may not require certain aspects of our design service.
We are happy to tailor our fee to match the design service you need from us and our involvement. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any upcoming projects via our contact page.