Pre-Design Services

• Initial MeetingFollowing an initial chat about your goals, we like to catch up with you in person to discuss your brief in more detail and to see whether our studio is a good fit for your project.
• Planning AnalysisPlanning Analysis Planning is an important consideration for any project given the impact it can have on timelines and costs. Therefore, we undertake an initial analysis of the planning controls to help identify whether a planning permit may be required from local council.
• Fee Proposal Once we have an understanding of your brief, budget and planning controls we can then put together a fee proposal for your consideration.
• Site InvestigationsFollowing approval of our fee proposal, we then arrange the necessary site investigations specific to the project including, for example, facilitating a site measure, arranging a feature survey from a land surveyor and reviewing the planning overlays.
• Existing Conditions Once we have completed our site investigations, the final step in the pre-design stage is to prepare a 3D CAD model of the existing conditions. This model will then form the basis of all subsequent design work.

Concept Design

• Design BriefingDepending on the level of information gathered during our initial meeting, we may schedule another meeting with you before commencing concept work to talk through your brief in more detail.
• Concept DesignThis is where the fun begins! Taking your brief, budget and site information we begin developing a preliminary concept for your review and feedback. Starting with initial ideas and spatial planning, we work with you through to a final design outcome.
• Concept DevelopmentFollowing approval of the preliminary concept design, we begin preparing more detailed plans and explore concepts for the external design of the building. As part of this process, we convert our design drawings into CAD software to help you visualise the design intent and allow for further review and feedback.
• Project CostWhilst we can provide an opinion on the estimated construction budget, we strongly recommend engaging a quantity surveyor who can review the approved concept and provide their expert advice. This is an important step in managing cost expectations and also helps us to determine the extent of any value management that may be required for the project in the design development stage.

Town Planning

• Town Planning DrawingsIf the proposal triggers a requirement for a planning permit, this stage involves preparing town planning drawings and documentation for submission to local council. We also engage a planning consultant at this stage, on your behalf, to assist with preparation of written reports to support the proposal.
• Pre-ApplicationDepending on the nature of the project, it is often beneficial to schedule a pre-application meeting with Council to discuss the design and obtain Council’s initial feedback. This step can help to address any issues at an early stage and ensure the proposal has the best chance of success at Council.
• Town Planning LodgementFollowing preparation of town planning documentation, we finalise and lodge the town planning drawings, along with supporting documentation, with Council’s planning department. From there, the application is assigned to a planner who will be our point of contact through the town planning process.
• Town Planning ProcessOnce the application is lodged, the town planning process typically takes 3 – 5 months. During this time, Council thoroughly review the application, request further information, advertise the proposal to allow input from affected parties and consider any objections received. We liaise with Council and our planning consultant throughout this process to ensure the application is progressed as smoothly as possible.
• Planning Permit ApprovalAll things going smoothly, the end goal is to obtain a planning permit and endorsed plans from Council. Once that goal is achieved, we can move forward with developing and refining the design.

Design Development

• Design Development DrawingsThis stage involves preparation of working drawings for initial consultant input and your feedback.
• Consultant EngagementAs part of the design process, specialist consultant will be required to support our design services. We engage consultants on your behalf and liaise with them for input on elements such as structural design and energy assessment.
• Updated Project CostTo ensure the project is within budget, we recommend liaising with our quantity surveyor to obtain an updated cost estimate based on the developed design. This allows us to then workshop any value management items with you and ensure these are captured in the construction drawings.

Construction Documentation

• Construction DrawingsThis stage involves taking the design development drawings through to full detailed drawings and includes all information which the building surveyor will require to issue the building permit and which the builder will need to ensure the design intent is carried out.
• Integration of Consultant DocumentationDuring this stage, we continue to liaise closely with our consultants for their input in the final documentation and drawing set.
• Building Surveyor Lodgement Once we have finalised our drawings, we then prepare all the necessary paperwork for submission to the building surveyor. The building surveyor will review all the information and then provide a checklist of items they require. We will address all items relating to the drawings and consultants and guide you through any other items that need to be satisfied.
• Building Permit ApprovalFollowing careful coordination with our building surveyor and consultants, we then await a building permit for the proposed works.

Contractor Selection

• TenderOnce we have the majority of documentation finalised, it’s time to nominate a suitable building. If you decide to undertake a tender process, we can assist with preparing tender documentation, responding to enquiries and work with you to assess the most suited builder for the project.
• Negotiated OfferIf you have a preferred builder, we will work with you to provide the necessary documents to describe the scope of works, respond to enquiries by the prospective builder and help you assess all submissions from the prospective builder relating to the contract price.
• Commence constructionOnce you have selected your preferred builder and a building permit has been issued, construction is ready to commence.

Project Support

• Site InspectionsDuring construction of the project, we can attend site visits if you would like to review the build progress and workshop any items with the builder.
• Project completionThe final destination! We love seeing our ideas come to life and look forward to a final walkthrough with you to celebrate completion of your project.