FEASIBILITY STUDY
1. Project Feasibility
Before purchasing a property it is enlightening and prudent to commission an Architect to evaluate the architectural potential of a site. A site visit and consultation with council can provide a lot of useful information relevant to any potential building development. There may be restrictive legal covenants or easements, problems with ground stability and/or limited building services, restrictive site shape, contour and orientation, all of which may impact on the ultimate building form, building functionality and the financial feasibility of your project.
CONCEPT DESIGN
2. Concept Design
When we have developed the brief sufficiently, we will progress to concept development. The concept for your project will come to life as we consider the project’s scope, budget and any special requirements. During concept design, your architect is essentially offering a solution, or solutions to the brief. Concepts may be developed through a series of drawings, floor plan and perspective sketches, computer renderings or physical models.
CONCEPT DESIGN
Preliminary Design
3. Preliminary Design
When you have agreed on a concept, we will test the ideas again during the preliminary design stage, and refine the design further. At the end of this stage we would normally obtain an outline budget of costs from a building company or may a engage an Quantity Surveyor to estimate costs. While it is enormously difficult to predict the final cost of a building, the architect and the external specialists they collaborate with are trained to identify all potential costs and will form an estimate based on that knowledge. Be honest about your budget and work with us to find solutions to suit your needs.
DESIGN & Resource CONSENT
4. Development Design & Resource Consent
Developed design is a key phase – at this point you will need to communicate any further needs or requirements as it is the last opportunity to refine the overall nature of the design before project planning commences. Your budget will come into play during the developed design phase. Think about your priorities in terms of time, quality and cost.
DESIGN & Resource CONSENT
Detailed Design
5. Detailed Design
Construction Documentation and Building Consent
When your resource consent approved or near approval, your project will progress to the detailed design phase. At this point we will advance your design to the level of detail that allows a construction contractor to assess the full scope of the project prior to tender. This will include construction details, materials, components, systems and finishes.
Procurement
6. Procurement: Tenders and Contract Documentation
We have an in-depth understanding of the current state of the construction industry and can be an invaluable guide in choosing a quality builder and other contractors to execute your design. We can help with the tendering process and can take your particular needs into consideration when choosing a contractor. Our office carries out the administration of projects including tendering, writing contracts between owner and builderProcurement
Administration & Observation
7. Contract Administration and Project Observation
We are trained to manage contractual and financial transactions during the construction of your building. Projects do change and there are always unforeseen elements that may require contractual consideration – we are well placed to help with such developments. Let us know if you have any particular preferences about the contractual nature of your project or issues with financing.
Additional Drawings - As-Built Docs
8. Additional Detailed Drawings and As-Built Documentation
Further drawings and details may be required during the construction process to assist with the easy flow of work on site. These may include extra drawings to clarify any design changes or complex aspects of the building or its finishes. Council may also request applications for amended building consents (to account for any changes during the construction phase of the project) and/or as built drawings for their records.
Additional Drawings - As-Built Docs
Completion
9. Completion
The Architect team will inspect the project to ascertain that everything has been completed in accordance with the contract and check for defects. Guarantees can be obtained and as-built plans may need to be prepared for some aspects of the job. The Building Consultant will carry out the final inspection on behalf of the Council and a Code of Compliance Certificate should be issued. At this point the final account can be settled with the Contractor and the building handed over to the client.
