The Problem
It is not uncommon for people to know they want to do a building project and have thought about it quite a bit but just don’t know what is feasible for their property...
Or worse, launch into an expensive design service without establishing a relationship with the architect or worse still not carefully establishing the groundwork for the project.

Before you begin the design process it is essential to answer the following:
• What are the possibilities and limitations for our site/building?
• Is the idea we have possible?
• Is our idea within our budget and how long will it take to complete?
• Who should I work with and what is the process from design through to construction?
• What further things do we need to investigate?
• And hopefully, how can sustainable design be incorporated into our project?

The Promise
“A surgeon wouldn’t operate without a proper diagnosis”, so …

The initial Needs and Options Review works in the same way. It will allow you to start an exploration designed to precisely understand your requirements and potential roadblocks, then gives:

• Graphic as well as written summary of our findings in an initial site concept or feasibility plan and report
• Timeline and Rough Order of Cost
• The next steps and further investigation required

If after working through this phase you decide that your project needs have changed or that you no longer wish to work together, the Needs and Options Review and concept plan are yours to keep with no obligation.

The Process
We designed this process because we see an issue in the construction industry of people starting design and construction BEFORE they have fully done their research and homework. BEFORE they had critiqued their ideas.
The consequence of inadequate upfront research of needs and options is like building a house on bad foundations.
The foundations are the most important part of the whole house because everything is built on top. It’s very expensive to change the foundations once you have started to build on top of them. But it’s very easy to change them if they are simply lines on a plan.
So we spend a little more time on the research than most other firms who rush their clients into the design phase.
Does that make sense? We will not rush this step. It only causes cost overruns later if we take shortcuts and don’t establish solid foundations.

There are four important steps before building starts:
1) Discovery or Needs and Options Review
2) Design and Cost Estimates
3) Construction Documentation
4) Consents and Procurement

Below is a summary of the first step as we see it in a typical project.

NEEDS AND OPTIONS REVIEW:
To lay the foundations for a good design process we begin by gathering the appropriate information required to enable subsequent phases of the commission to be undertaken.

This would include:
a) Discussions with you to define your needs and aspirations for the project and the development of an initial Project Brief that defines the key requirements including time and financial targets
b) Obtaining archive drawings and other information for the existing building and site including location of services
c) Investigation of District Plan requirements and other site restrictions and how this may affect the design
d) Building Code preliminary assessment to identify crucial items related to the project
e) Identifying the need for other professional advice

At the conclusion of this process we would prepare a graphic as well as written summary of our findings in an initial site concept or feasibility plan and report. This would include an outline of the next stages and an approximate timeline as well as a Rough Order Cost estimate for the works proposed.

Key Benefits
• It minimizes your risk to faulty design decisions by laying the proper ground work up-front
• It clarifies the project constraints so that good and efficient design decisions can be made
• It helps us determine if this working relationship is a “fit” for both parties (you and us) before fully committing to a contract for further services
• It allows you to explore your goals for your project in a structured format
• See the first concepts of the design to see if this fits with your vision and aspirations

The Price?
Our fees for this process vary depending on the scale of the project. Contact us for a quote.

What would happen next?
We would follow up with a full written & sketched summary of the outcomes along with a proposal for further professional services as appropriate.