The Process

To develop out a brief we really need to know what makes our clients tick. Each client has different aspirations, tastes and budgets, so it’s crucial to the design process we understand all of these key aspects to help deliver the best project we can.  

These conversations form an intricate part of the process and make for a better architectural solution and help create a good relationship and understanding between all parties. 

Stages

The first stage of any project is getting to know our clients and understanding aspirations for how the project might develop. 

We work closely with our clients to make sure their brief is translated into a great design which will meets their aspirations. After the initial conversations and site visits a concept design(s), will be produced and presented.  

Normally, at this stage, there will be a few more minor changes and alterations to the main design. This is very common after the concept design has been presented. While we aspire to create a design which is perfect for our clients, we know that our clients might look to have slight variations and changes. Generally, the majority of the design remains intact as a result of our understanding at the outset, prior to commencing work on the design. 

After finalising the design to our clients wishes we can then submit to the appropriate drawings and documentation to the planning authority. 

In order to gauge where the project budget sits, it might be that the concept design and planning drawings are submitted to a Quantity surveyor to give a rough costing at this stage. This allows the client a high-level indication of what the building will cost to construct based on current market conditions and prices. This is typically suggested and would be considered as part of a best practice approach. 

After the planning process we would then commence production of technical drawings. 

This information forms the basis of the tender package, and will likely include additional information and drawings from other professions such as Engineers, Landscape Architects as the project determines.  All of this combined technical information allows the Quantity Surveyor to price the project from a neutral aspect, based on market conditions. 

The information is then presented for tendering and prices are returned by contractors, which are subsequently compared to the Quantity Surveyors information to determine an appropriate winning bid. 

Typically, the contracts for the projects will be in the form of standard RIAI contracts. 

In order to transform contemporary design into a building, high quality construction drawings are required and a continuity in service is crucial at this stage in order to attain full realisation of a project which was shown at the concept design stage.  

We provide a detailed technical tender package for construction, which allows this continuity and provides information that allow for a successful and correct implementation on site. 

At the end of the technical design, it is recommended, depending on the scale project, and as a best practice exercise, that a Quantity surveyor is engaged to provide a bill of quantities and market cost. This allows a very specific cost breakdown of the project based upon the detailed information and specifications of the technical drawings and tender package. It provides a neutral cost of the project which can be assessed against returning tender prices to gauge best value. 

During the construction process there are regular site inspections throughout the program. 

This is to ensure the architectural details produced at tender stage are being implemented correctly on site and inspecting construction to verify that quality and accuracy of key details are correct. 

There are regular meetings with the contractor to make sure progress is smooth and that all contract documents are being adhered to. 

Additionally, the structural engineers will be required to inspect and sign off their respective aspects. 

A Quantity Surveyor may also be part of the design team, issuing valuations at periodical intervals to allow correct payments, and to help maintain the budget is on the correct path.