Our Services
As a registered architectural practice, we provide comprehensive architectural services from initial feasibility studies and concept designs, through to complete design documentation, tendering and building contract administration.
Each of these services requires its own specific expertise. If you are thinking of overhauling your house’s layout, planning a renovation or building a new home, you may have asked yourself the question: do I need an architect?
Whether you are in Australia or abroad, working with a registered architect is the surest way to have access to the skills and expertise you need to ensure all facets of your project such as aesthetics, time and budget are realised and enriched through a series of interactive and creative activities with the architect in order to achieve the best outcome.
Our Process
1. Pre-Design
Many of our clients have never worked with an architect before, and for many prospective clients that we speak to it is not immediately obvious how to take the first step. For this reason, we offer an initial service, called Pre-Design.
The aim of the Pre-Design service is to give you accurate site information and advice that you can apply as a foundation to move forward with your project. It also aims to start your critical thinking and exploration of your own needs and desires for the project, firstly through a collaborative site discussions and investigations with the architect.
How it works:
- We carry out preliminary site research on the site including Council planning requirements, site and local utility conditions.
- We organise a time to meet with you at your site.
- We discuss your aims for the project, consider possible budget and discuss possible options to move forward with your project.
- We will measure and investigate the building.
- Document accurate existing drawings in digital format to assist you to develop your design vision and directions with accuracy and confidence.
- (Options to create sketch plan based on site discussion and existing drawings.)
The fee for the Pre-Design services starts from $2,000, $1,800 (Special Offer), including GST If you would like to organize a Pre-Design service or learn more about our scope of services and design approach, please feel free to Contact Us.
The Pre-Design is a stand-alone service, so there is no obligation to proceed to our full architectural service. However if you do decide to proceed with further architectural service the Pre-Design service fee is removed.
2. Design
In this stage we will listen to your needs (and create a brief), working with you, until we have absolute clarity in the requirement for your desired outcome then we will explore how these spaces will work in floor plans and 3D views. We will have the exterior of the building developed and the internal spaces co-ordinated ready to submit a Planning Application to council. Once approved for planning, we will document a set of drawings that the builder will require to price and build for your project. Through this stage, every aspect of the project is considered, selected and documented in close consultation with you including all internal finishes, joinery, structure and details. We will also engage a building surveyor to confirm design compliance with current building codes.
Services included in Design stage are:
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Develop preferred concept from Concept Design
Prepare preliminary elevations of exterior form
Prepare digital 3D massing model
Undertake preliminary selection of external materials and finishes
Provide recommendations for the appointment of other specialist consultants
Further detailed review of statutory and regulatory requirements
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Prepare design development documentation and details that describe the design intent
Undertake interior design including selection of proposed materials, fittings, finishes and equipment
Assistance in the appointment of additional consultants as required
Coordination of design with other consultants
Coordinate the preparation of an updated estimate of the Cost of Works with Quantity Surveyor
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Confirm statutory authority requirements
Attend pre-application meeting with Council prior to submission of formal planning application
Prepare architectural drawing package for formal submission
Liaise with the planning consultant regarding the preparation of additional material for formal submission
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Prepare full set of detailed architectural working drawings at appropriate scale for construction
Draw and review joinery and wet areas
Develop/update 3D building model
Coordinate building services as required
Prepare construction details, at appropriate scale, to describe architectural intent
Prepare schedules for fixtures, finishes and equipment
Source samples and write specification
Further detailed coordination of design with structural engineer and energy rating consultant
Prepare/coordinate relevant documents to facilitate issue of the Building Permit
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Assist the client in appointing a building surveyor
Preparation/coordination of documentation for building permit application
Respond to RFIs from the building surveyor and update architectural drawings as required
Manage the building permit process on the client’s behalf until the building permit is attained
3. Delivery
Through delivery, we work closely with construction and technical experts on an ongoing basis. By inspecting construction site regularly, we will ensure that the build process is following the construction documents and design intent. On each visit records will be taken to ensure that progress and the quality of work are acceptable. This way, there are no surprises as we meet each project delivery milestone on time and on budget.
Services included in Delivery stage are:
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Assist the client in determining the preferred tender process (competitive or negotiated)
Prepare tender documents and issue to all tenderers
Respond to enquiries from tenderers
Receive and open the tenders and together with cost consultant assess the tenders
Negotiate with the preferred tenderer if required to obtain an offer acceptable to the client
Prepare reports on tenders and recommendation for client acceptance
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Prepare the contract documents
Arrange for signing and execution of the building contract by the building contractor and owner
Visit the site periodically to observe the general conformance of the construction works with the building contract documents
Review shop drawings and submissions by the building contractor
Provide the building contractor with instructions, supplementary details and clarification of the contract documents
Assess and determine variations and obtain client approvals where required
Assess and determine the building contractor’s progress claims and issue progress certificates
Assess the building contractor’s claims for extensions of time
Instruct the building contractor in regard to incomplete work and rectification of any defects
Assess and determine practical completion and issue the notice of practical completion