Our Architectural Design Process

As this is one of your biggest financial and emotional investments, our company is committed to listening very carefully to you. Your home or work environment impacts significantly on your well-being and because we are acutely aware of this, we undertake our task very seriously.

We treat the project as 'yours' and offer suggestions.  It runs at your speed.

Stage 1 – Design Discussion:

A simple phone call or email to us will provide you with a lot of information at no cost.  Just call, and we can discuss your current thinking, dreams, and ideas.  We usually like to look at the site to 'read' it for its attributes and opportunities. 

Stage 2 – Vision:

Once we have a clear understanding of your goals and your site, we are able to begin the creative exploration of a range of solutions for your project.  You will receive a written fee proposal, split into several stages, the main ones being sketch stage and working drawing stage. 

Our Fee structure is based on the degree of complexity and council requirements.  Is the site flat or sloping? Do you require a single or two story home? Is the home near the sea?  These items all affect how much time we need to put into the project, which relates back to our fees.   A contract is signed.   

Stage 3 – Concept plans:

We start out by looking at your wish list, and put together several scheme plans, which includes Site, Floor Plans, Elevations, 3D sketches of possible design solutions.  We can only do this after talking to you.  A soil report is obtained if not already held.  It pays early on to solve all the unknowns.  Most of the time this stage is a relatively quick exercise of about a month.

From here we start narrowing down (refining) the best options based on budget, site, and the overall look and feel desired for the project.  Other factors come into account such as council Zoning (density, height control plane) , Local Planning Issues.

We like to obtain Cost Estimates as soon as possible to put your mind at ease. 

Some of the steps at this stage include investigating site services - sewer, stormwater disposal, material selections based on wind zone and durability requirements, looking up existing council records for the property (if any) and obtaining district plan requirements from the council.

There is ample opportunity at most stages to incorporate your ideas into the final design. 

Stage 4 – Refinement of plans:

From the confirmed concept plan, you will set your budget for the project.  We then prepare all the full working drawings and documentation for tenders and council permits/consents.

This involves creating plans in greater detail that the builder can build with such as cross sections and elevations, as well as specific details for each cladding junction point.   There are about 200 steps we tick off at this stage in our internal processes, the main ones being Engineer structural design (if any), preferred builder construction techniques (by this stage we usually have a good idea of which builder will probably get the job - they all have their own preferences. ), survey information, (peg locations, site slope and stability),  bracing calculations, deck and stair design, thermal efficiency calculations (required by council), fire and sound reports (if req.), stormwater and sewer design by approved engineer for council  (if rural site). 

Architectural Design

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Stage 5  – Documentation:

From the working drawings all documentation is prepared ready for the council.  This includes the permit application form and specification documentation.  This is important as it defines the minimum standards that all contractors must perform to when undertaking their subtrade.

Stage 6  – Realisation & Project Management:

We find most clients prefer us to liase with council to obtain the necessary consents, and during the build process.  This makes sense as we know their systems - why should you learn and waste time?.  For most extensive renovations this is recommended as it is sometimes required to modify the final plans based on new information at hand which is not known about until after the deconstruction of the existing building has commenced.

We act on your behalf as independent advisors and can help with tenders, assisting in the selection of a builder, and contract administration.  

The success of your project relies on continued involvement throughout the building process.