What we do
and
How we do it

Before we begin designing, we look to fully understand what you’re looking to achieve with your project. This is one of the key building blocks of a successful project and it is in these first conversations that we will begin to develop your brief.

During this time, identifying what you didn’t realise you needed is where we excel. We listen very carefully and ask the right questions to ensure it is a simple, exciting and enjoyable part of the process. A site visit also takes place at this point, for us to get to grips with the context of your project.

Once the brief has been set up and agreed upon with you, our team starts designing by considering the opportunities and constraints of the site through a detailed contextual analysis.

From these findings, we will then begin sketching our initial concepts, always driven by the brief and the analysis undertaken. We will be closely in touch with you during this phase, running ideas past you and developing them further accordingly to meet your aspirations.

Once we have examined our initial feasibility studies together with you, we will then delve deeper into the design, refining and rationalising it to present a more complete image to you. We rigorously test our ideas using 3D digital models, so that you can better visualise your project and see it come to life on screen.

When a final design has been agreed upon, we will coordinate with the necessary consultants to put together a package of information to submit for planning application. A lot of focus is placed on our in-depth Design Documents that ensure that your project has the best chance of succeeding in the planning application phase, and we always welcome your input in these.

In some instances, this stage also involves a pre-application process to gauge the opinions of the local council on the proposed scheme.

As the project begins to develop from the initial concept, we will start working closely with structural engineers and other technical consultants to take the design from a concept into a buildable reality.

We will take you through this process as we develop detailed drawings of the building, covering everything; from the materials used in the project to visualising the spaces of your new home and developing interior mood boards. This process allows you to envisage the finishing details and helps bring your aspiration into focus.

During this phase, we will also address any planning conditions set by the local authority that may require discharging before works commence on site.

During this stage, we will translate the approved design into a series of drawings, schedules and documents. This allows for the project to be priced up accurately, and for the contractor to have a clear idea of how exactly to construct the design and build it to a budget.

We collaborate closely with our team of consultants during this stage, working to produce a comprehensive and detailed package of information that will meet all of the requirements of your brief. This stage can be quite time-consuming, but our expertise and understanding of the building process allows us to get the most out of this stage and ensure that the critical stages that follow go smoothly.

At the start of this stage, we will also look to understand which procurement route best suits your project and we will guide you through the pricing, negotiation and contract processes.

Now is the time for your dream to become reality and for your building to come alive!

We will remain involved throughout this process, helping you with any remaining decisions and assisting the contractor with any queries they may have. We will also regularly attend the site to monitor the progress and quality of the work, to ensure your vision is becoming reality in the way we expect.

We can also perform a series of additional roles during this stage, such as Contract Administration. This can be discussed before the works begin on site to ensure you have the full and relevant team in place.

At this point, the building works are done, but our work continues. There can be a period of minor defects in the first 6-12 months of a building being finished, and we will be on hand to monitor and advise, and to facilitate an open dialogue between you and the contractor.

After everything has been resolved and the Final Certificate of Construction has been issued, the project is finished!

We hope you’re enjoying your new home!

Designing is our passion and we take great pride in our work, so it’s important for us to check in with you on how the building is performing and how the space we designed together is being used.

We love to photograph our completed projects and, with your support, we look to celebrate our design by submitting the finished article for awards and publication opportunities. If, of course, you agree. This can help to inspire others and help instil you with pride in what we have achieved together.