Design

Design is a collaborative and iterative process. Successful design develops from a full understanding of the clients’ needs, consideration of the form of the existing building and site and detailed knowledge of any relevant planning constraints.

Projects develop in stages. As the process moves forward, the design considers in increasing detail how the building is influenced by the clients’ needs and aspirations. The project drawings will reflect this and show increasing levels of detail at the various stages from the first concept drawings through planning drawings to detailed Building Regulations and construction drawings.

Starting with an initial design consultation, our approach develops the design over several key stages, collaborating with our clients and specialist planning team to create thoughtful, elegant and efficient buildings.

Gathering information

Key to the success of any project is starting with a full understanding of the clients’ needs and the existing building and site.

• Project brief: The design process usually starts with a consultation where we aim to understand our clients’ needs and aspirations for the project. This will form the basis of the project brief. The project brief informs the design as it develops.
• Site/building survey and “existing” drawings: It is essential to have accurate and detailed information about the existing building and site to inform the design process. Drawings of any existing buildings form the basis for the design process and all subsequent stages of the project. They will also be required as part of any planning application. It is therefore important that a measured survey the existing building and site is carried-out and existing drawings prepared as early as possible in the process.

Concept design

As a project progresses the design will develop, increasing in detail at each stage until it fully encapsulates the clients’ needs and aspirations for the project. Working from the Project Brief, Concept Design sketches will be prepared. The Concept Design shows potential ways to meet the project brief and is the starting point for client feedback. This process takes account of key factors such as:

• the client’s needs and aspirations for the project
• the project budget
• the physical constraints of the building and site (such as drains, overlooking windows etc.)
• any planning constraints
• whether the proposals require planning permission
• whether the brief could be met utilizing Permitted Development Rights so a full planning application would not be needed.

A lot of key decisions will need to be made during the design stage of any project. The Concept Design sketches are an essential starting point in exploring ways to unlock the potential of the project and a useful opportunity to consider potential different options for the design.

Client feedback

Feedback from the client on the concept design sketches is essential in guiding the development of the design and will inform the next stage of the design process.

Final design proposal

Informed by client feedback and developed from the concept design, the Final Design Proposal is an essential milestone in the design process. It will include floor plans, building elevations and sections in sufficient detail to clearly communicate the proposed design. Early in the design process planning requirements are carefully considered in collaboration with our expert planning team to ensure that as well as meeting the clients’ needs and aspirations the design has the best chance of success at planning application stage.

Final design sign off

Following a final design review where the proposals are checked against the project brief, any necessary amendments will be made so that the project design can be finalized, agreed and signed off by the client. This is the final and key stage of the design process resulting in an agreed design proposal which will form the basis of any planning application and all future stages of the project.