We are here to guide you through the entire design and construction process.
A thorough and collaborative design process is key to a successful project. We are committed to arriving at the best possible built solution for our client, and this is achieved through a series of stages from pre-design through to project completion with excellent communication at every step.
By carefully listening to our clients’ needs, exploring and presenting design ideas, and testing these out against the budget, we ensure that the design is fully aligned with the brief, and that the end result achieves optimum value for the client.
Feasibility Review
If you are in the initial stages of considering to build, we can assist you with your decision by providing you with a low-commitment feasibility consultation and review at a fixed fee.
This analysis involves conducting background research into relevant planning / zoning restrictions related to your site, along with an analysis of the site to determine constraints and opportunities, and a broad estimation of cost.
This document is a useful tool for our Clients as it provides them with an overview of potential options for their site / project based on due diligence, before deciding whether to proceed further.
1. Establishing the Brief and Site Analysis
Developing a clear brief is the starting point for transforming the client’s aspirations and requirements into built form.
We begin this process by discussing a broad range of topics with our client – visions of how spaces will be used, any aesthetic preferences or specific design features, materials and finishes, budget, timing and defining the lifestyle needs of the client.
During the pre-design phase, we will conduct a thorough site analysis and gather planning and council information along with consultant advice where relevant to determine what consents will be required.
2. Schematic Design
The next step is where we translate the client brief and the opportunities identified in the site analysis into a sketch design.
This involves testing out and reworking various ideas with the client until the preferred solution is formulated, with consideration to the shape, form, spatial relationships. Materials, colours, and finishes may also be addressed at this stage.
The concept design is presented to the client through sketches of proposed layout plans, elevations, relevant sections, and 3D imagery.
At the end of this stage an Elemental Estimate of Cost can be established by a quantity surveyor or builder, and a resource consent (if required), may be applied for.
3. Resource Consent
The requirement for a Resource Consent will be determined during the earlier stages of the design process.
This service involves preparing the application with all relevant plans, diagrams, analyses, studies and reports necessary for the submission; a written Assessment of Effects on the Environment; coordination with Specialist Consultants where required; preparation of additional drawings and documentation to comply with additional authority requirements and/or neighbours’ sign off; council lodgement, and responding to council queries.
4. Developed Design
The approved design is further developed to produce a set of documents that identify and coordinate all the elements of the building, including structural elements, building services, materials and finishes, while finalizing the space planning and form of the building.
Developed design drawings would typically consist of resolved site and floor plans, sections, and elevations; digital renders of the external form and interiors which clearly illustrate the materiality and qualities of light, and how the building sits in its landscape; as well as coordinated structural and services drawings. Schedules of materials, finishes and fittings would be provided to the client also for review and approval.
During this phase, we will hold meetings with the required consultants which may include a planner for consent purposes. We recommend that a quantity surveyor is engaged at this stage to obtain a comprehensive cost analysis and ascertain the estimated building costs. This is in turn reconciled with the budget to ensure that the project is financially viable without compromise on quality.
5. Detailed Design and Documentation
This final stage of documentation develops the design into detailed construction drawings and specifications that will allow a building consent to be applied for and for the tendering and negotiation of a building contract to be undertaken.
The set of working drawings we produce include plans, sections, elevations, construction details and schedules of materials, finishes and fittings, along with Specifications. The drawings shall be fully coordinated with the work of other specialist consultants.
The final set of Construction Drawings shall include sufficient detail to enable an application for Building Consent to be made, tendering and negotiation of a building contract to be undertaken, and construction work to commence.
6. Tendering and Negotiations
As an additional service this stage of the process involves selecting a preferred Contractor for the works, which may be undertaken following one of two methods – Tender or Negotiation.
In both instances, we assist the client in determining the preferred tender or negotiation process and prepare documentation for either method.
A tendered contract would typically involve assessing and analysing suitable contractors, responding to enquiries from the tenderers, checking tender compliance, assessing the tenders, and preparing a tender report with recommendation of the main contractor for Client acceptance.
A Negotiated contract would involve determining the preferred negotiation process, issuing relevant documents to the prospective building contractor to describe the scope of works, arranging and coordination negotiations and enquiries, assessing submissions to establish contract price and final project scope, and preparing a report with recommendations for Client acceptance.
7. Contract Administration and Observation
We offer our clients this additional service, the scope of which would be confirmed towards the end of Contract Documentation. Services would typically involve:
- Administering the building contract under its terms
- Reporting regularly to the Client regarding time, cost and progress of the project
- Scheduling and recording of minutes from regular site meetings
- Reviewing shop drawings and submissions by the building contractor
- Providing additional drawings, details or clarifications where required
- Administering instructions for Variation requests and orders, and site instructions
- Assessing and determining progress claims, issuing progress certificates
- Ensuring prices are fair and reasonable.
- Instructing the building contractor regarding incomplete work and rectification of any defects
- Inspecting and approving Practical Completion
- During the Defects Liability Period, instructing the building contractor in regard to incomplete work and/or rectification of defects.
- Inspecting and approving Final Completion
