Services
Feasibility study & Concept design
You need to know your project is feasible before we can take it forward. A feasibility study sounds technical and formal, but it’s fun, as it involves exploring your vision and ideas, and contributing my own. I draw on my years of design and building experience to create a concept design that meets your brief and goes beyond your expectations, wherever practicable. My study will be based on a measured site survey, and a clear understanding of your requirements, the site constraints, local planning guidance, the surrounding environment, and budget costings. I produce plans with sketches, and models where necessary. You will have a range of options including the most environmentally sustainable solutions and different layouts to illustrate space planning. By considering all the potential planning and legal implications as part of this feasibility and concept design work I also ensure that the planning stage goes more smoothly.
Feasibility Study & Conecpt Design
You need to know your project is feasible before we can take it forward. A feasibility study sounds technical and formal, but it’s fun, as it involves exploring your vision and ideas, and contributing my own. I draw on my years of design and building experience to create a concept design that meets your brief and goes beyond your expectations, wherever practicable. My study will be based on a measured site survey, and a clear understanding of your requirements, the site constraints, local planning guidance, the surrounding environment, and budget costings. I produce plans with sketches, and models where necessary. You will have a range of options including the most environmentally sustainable solutions and different layouts to illustrate space planning.By considering all the potential planning and legal implications as part of this feasibility and concept design work I also ensure that the planning stage goes more smoothly.
Planning
Once we know your development is viable and we have an agreed design, we move to the planning phase. ‘Planning application’ is a generic term covering many different types of applications. In some cases a pre-planning application to the local planning authority is advisable. The council’s planning department appraise your plan in principle and give feedback that can inform a future application for planning consent. More often though, we can go straight to the application. I prepare design drawings of both the existing building and the proposed development along with block and location plans.
Depending on the site and complexity of the project, we may also need to submit a design and access statement, and commission supporting reports from other professionals such as a structural engineer, party wall surveyor, drainage consultant, etc. A planning application is usually determined within a statutory eight-week period. Certain home improvements – including smaller extensions – may not need a full planning application if they qualify as a ‘permitted development’, but various conditions apply. Detailed drawings will still be required to show that the proposed development complies with Building Regulations and obtain a ‘Certificate of Lawfulness’.
Technical Design
When you have obtained planning consent, I develop technical drawings and specifications to show how the various elements of the development are to be constructed. These are submitted for approval either by the District Building Surveyor (at the local council’s Building Control department) or by a Private Approved Inspector. Builders can also price the works accurately based on these drawings and specifications. I will collaborate with your preferred builder, or manage the tendering process for you (see below). I can also introduce you to reliable contractors I’ve worked with before, and to clients who can describe how they performed on their projects.
Construction
When the works get underway, I will review progress and the quality of workmanship, and answer any questions you or the contractor may have. I have long experience of working with builders and dealing with the unexpected challenges that can arise on any project, especially where existing buildings are being remodelled. It is essential to ensure that the works are undertaken as specified by the working drawings to comply with Building Control, achieve high build quality, and, above all, deliver our design vision for your project.
Delivery Options
What’s the best way to deliver your project and achieve your vision? Some clients just commission the design – including drawings for planning and building control – and procure other services separately. But there are various ways to organise your project you should consider, especially if you don’t have the time or expertise to be a hands-on project manager.
Design & Build
Many contractors offer a design and build service. Either they have an in-house designer who undertakes the concept and technical design elements, or they use an external architect. As overall responsibility rests with the builder, it is essential that they and their partners are competent, and the works are carefully managed. I work with several builders in this way – producing feasibility studies, spatial arrangement plans, drawings for planning and building control through to technical design.
My role also involves ‘value engineering’ – identifying ways to make the build easier and the project more cost-effective. Not just to minimise the construction cost, but also designing in longevity and reducing ongoing maintenance costs to provide best long-term value for money. This approach means that the builder and architect work closely together to the benefit of the project. The client has one main point of contact and one price, assuming the builder also takes care of all other professional services required.
Project Management & Delivery of Project
For clients who don’t have the time or confidence to manage a project themselves, this role can be assigned to the builder, a building surveyor or other construction professional, such as the architect. I provide this as part of a ‘all encompassing’ service to clients, coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the project – from the initial concept to completion. The many advantages include:
Design integrity
As your designer, I am best placed to understand the project concept and ensure that it is delivered in every detail.
Value for money
With responsibility for procuring all services and materials as well as selecting the building contractor, I can draw on a network of trusted providers, test the market, and negotiate the most competitive terms, reducing the overall cost of your project.
Quality control
From experience, I know where problems tend to arise during construction or with different materials, so I can ensure the quality of build and finish meets the highest standards.
Time savings
With overall control, I can plan and sequence each element of the project, and then oversee progress, so your project can be delivered as quickly as practicable and on time.
Reassurance
Not only do you avoid the day-to-day hassle and anxiety of managing your project, you have the comfort of knowing that your best interests are being protected by an experienced expert.
Adding Value & Re-imagining Your Home
When life changes, you can change your existing home to match your needs. It’s often a more fitting and valuable solution than selling up and moving. It may be that you need space to work from home. Or you want to future-proof your property and add value by exploiting renewable energy and more sustainable materials. Perhaps, you are rattling around in a large property that’s expensive to maintain, and want to release equity by sub- dividing it and selling a flat or annex. There are creative ways to achieve these aims, which may or may not involve building an extension, even within the constraints of a conservation area.
Grade Listed & Conservation Constraints
My experience shows that even properties that are Grade Listed can be adapted to take on a new life. This can even mean dividing a family town house over 3-4 floors in a conservation area, for example, to form separate dwellings. I achieved this for a writer who loved her garden and local community, and didn’t want to sell up to downsize after her children had moved out. I turned this floor into her forever home, with no staircases to climb, less cleaning and maintenance – and the financial comfort that comes from realising the enhanced value of a fine home for another family on the upper floors.
Hard Landscaping
Some clients tend to overlook the impact that a rear or side extension will have on the external space. For others, ‘bringing the garden in’ to a new open-plan kitchen or other remodelled part of the home is a priority. In either case, thought needs to be given to ensuring that the surrounding space – and especially hard landscaping – complements the interior, and vice versa. Achieving this harmony should be part of the overall design vision.
Re-modelling & Modernisation
You don’t necessarily have to build new to add value and space. As an experienced architect, I can appraise your property and identify the scope for making it work better for you. This may be by improving the spatial configuration, utilising wasted space, or minimising the footprint of an extension where this is justified. In this way you can still achieve the home you desire but at a far lower cost. This is just an outline summary of my services. Contact me if you have any queries, or request an initial consultation.
Planning
Once we know your development is viable and we have an agreed design, we move to the planning phase. ‘Planning application’ is a generic term covering many different types of application. In some cases a pre-planning application to the local planning authority is advisable. The council’s planning department appraise your plan in principle and give feedback that can inform a future application for planning consent. More often though, we can go straight to the application. I prepare design drawings of both the existing building and the proposed development along with block and location plans.
Depending on the site and complexity of the project, we may also need to submit a design and access statement, and commission supporting reports from other professionals such as a structural engineer, party wall surveyor, drainage consultant, etc. A planning application is usually determined within a statutory eight-week period. Certain home improvements – including smaller extensions – may not need a full planning application if they qualify as a ‘permitted development’, but various conditions apply. Detailed drawings will still be required to show that the proposed development complies with Building Regulations and obtain a ‘Certificate of Lawfulness’.
Technical Design
When you have obtained planning consent, I develop technical drawings and specifications to show how the various elements of the development are to be constructed. These are submitted for approval either by the District Building Surveyor (at the local council’s Building Control department) or by a Private Approved Inspector. Builders can also price the works accurately based on these drawings and specifications. I will collaborate with your preferred builder, or manage the tendering process for you (see
below). I can also introduce you to reliable contractors I’ve worked with before, and to clients who can describe how they performed on their projects.
Construction
When the works get underway, I will review progress and the quality of workmanship, andanswer any questions you or the contractor may have. I have long experience of working with builders and dealing with the unexpected challenges that can arise on any project, especially where existing buildings are being remodelled. It is essential to ensure that the works are undertaken as specified by the working drawings to comply with Building Control, achieve high build quality, and, above all, deliver our design vision for your project.
Design & Build
Many contractors offer a design and build service. Either they have an in-house designer who undertakes the concept and technical design elements, or they use an external architect. As overall responsibility rests with the builder, it is essential that they and their partners are competent, and the works are carefully managed. I work with several builders in this way – producing feasibility studies, spatial arrangement plans, drawings for planning and building control through to technical design.
My role also involves ‘value engineering’ – identifying ways to make the build easier and the project more cost-effective. Not just to minimise the construction cost, but also designing in longevity and reducing ongoing maintenance costs to provide best long-term value for money. This approach means that the builder and architect work closely together to the benefit of the project. The client has one main point of contact and one price, assuming the builder also takes care of all other professional services required.
Project Management & Delivery of Project
For clients who don’t have the time or confidence to manage a project themselves, this role can be assigned to the builder, a building surveyor or other construction professional, such as the architect. I provide this as part of a ‘all encompassing’ service to clients, coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the project – from the initial concept to completion. The many advantages include:
Design integrity
As your designer, I am best placed to understand the project concept and ensure that it is delivered in every detail.
Value for money
With responsibility for procuring all services and materials as well as selecting the building contractor, I can draw on a network of trusted providers, test the market, and negotiate the most competitive terms, reducing the overall cost of your project.
Quality control
From experience, I know where problems tend to arise during construction or with different materials, so I can ensure the quality of build and finish meets the highest standards.
Time savings
With overall control, I can plan and sequence each element of the project, and then oversee progress, so your project can be delivered as quickly as practicable and on time.
Reassurance
Not only do you avoid the day-to-day hassle and anxiety of managing your project, you have the comfort of knowing that your best interests are being protected by an experienced expert.
Adding Value & Re-imagining Your Home
When life changes, you can change your existing home to match your needs. It’s often a more fitting and valuable solution than selling up and moving. It may be that you need space to work from home. Or you want to future-proof your property and add value by exploiting renewable energy and more sustainable materials. Perhaps, you are rattling around in a large property that’s expensive to maintain, and want to release equity by sub- dividing it and selling a flat or annex. There are creative ways to achieve these aims, which may or may not involve building an extension, even within the constraints of a conservation area.
Grade Listed & Conservation Constraints
My experience shows that even properties that are Grade Listed can be adapted to take on a new life. This can even mean dividing a family town house over 3-4 floors in a conservation area, for example, to form separate dwellings. I achieved this for a writer who loved her garden and local community, and didn’t want to sell up to downsize after her children had moved out. I turned this floor into her forever home, with no staircases to climb, less cleaning and maintenance – and the financial comfort that comes from realising the enhanced value of a fine home for another family on the upper floors.
Hard Landscaping
Some clients tend to overlook the impact that a rear or side extension will have on the external space. For others, ‘bringing the garden in’ to a new open-plan kitchen or other remodelled part of the home is a priority. In either case, thought needs to be given to ensuring that the surrounding space – and especially hard landscaping – complements the interior, and vice versa. Achieving this harmony should be part of the overall design vision.
Re-modelling & Modernisation
You don’t necessarily have to build new to add value and space. As an experienced architect, I can appraise your property and identify the scope for making it work better for you. This may be by improving the spatial configuration, utilising wasted space, or minimising the footprint of an extension where this is justified. In this way you can still achieve the home you desire but at a far lower cost. This is just an outline summary of my services. Contact me if you have any queries, or request an initial consultation.