5 Steps: The Process of Architectural Process
I know that building a new house or renovating your home can seem daunting and complicated. So I've produced this guide to show you what happens at each stage, with simple steps to demystify the architectural process from start to finish
Step 1: THE BRIEF
Step 2: PRE-DESIGN
Step 3: CONCEPT DESIGN
Step 4: DEVELOPED DESIGN
Step 5: WORKING DRAWINGS
Step 1: THE BRIEF
This is where you get to tell me what you want! And if you’re not sure, I'll help you work it out. I'll talk about what you like and together we’ll determine objectives, design intention, budget and timing. Then we’ll produce a fee proposal - how much it will cost - based on the brief.
What I do:
• Help you clarify your ideas by sending you a Home Brief form to complete
• Write a brief outlining your ideas, what you want to achieve and get it approved by you
• Tell you what is achievable with your budget
What you do:
• Fill in Context Architect’s Home Brief form
• Tell me what you love - show me pictures of other houses you like and go onto houzz.com or Pinterest to identify styles and ideas you admire
• Think about your preferred aesthetic (modern, traditional, or eco for example)
• What’s your budget?
• Consider your time frame.
Step 2: PRE-DESIGN
What I do:
• Check accuracy of existing plans and measure
• Obtain property information and check planning rules for any constraints (e.g. height or boundary)
• Get the certificate of title or deposited plan and LIM
• Get topographical, geotechnical and existing services surveys if required
• Gather information on site levels, soil, services location, sun and wind data, vegetation etc.
• Determine if resource consent is required.
What you do:
• Supply any existing property information you have: plans, Land Information Memorandum (LIM), easements and covenants on the site, certificate of title and consultant reports.
Step 3: CONCEPT DESIGN
What I do:
• Present site layout and floor plans
• Work up into sketches, layout plans, perspectives and elevations to show the overall scale and feeling of the house
• If required develop a 3D model to better show how spaces work
• It usually take several meetings to refine the concept design.
What you do:
• Be available for meetings to discuss the concept design
• When you are happy, sign the design off so we can go to the next stage - costing and detailed design.
Step 4: DEVELOPED DESIGN
Now we develop the design to the point where the project is real and you could build a house from the plans we create.
What I do:
• Provide floor plans, elevations, sections to scale, and sketches of critical details
• Prepare finishes schedules including color schemes and materials
• Present a 3D computer model showing the relationship to the site, sun and views and between interior spaces
• Show fittings and furniture layouts for each space
What you do: • Review the 3D model and tweak the final design
• Review critical detailing • Discuss landscaping ideas. • Agree on finishes, colour scheme, bathroom and kitchen fittings, etc
• Assign a consultant to give you a fee proposals (for example structural engineer) • Agree on your procurement method (how you are going to engage someone to build it, for example tender or negotiated tender)
Step 5: WORKING DRAWINGS
The construction drawings forms the basis of a contract between you and the building contractor.
What I do: • Agree whether an updated QS estimate is needed before I start on the working drawings • Prepare detailed construction drawings (also called working drawings) based on this approved developed design • Prepare a written specification covering the type and quality of materials, processes and labor expected.
What you do: • Decide if you would like an updated cost estimate based on the final developed design before going ahead to construction with working drawings.
