The Residential Architecture Design Process

Posted by Tim Foster on Apr 4, 2018 1:50:03 PM

The Residential Architecture Design Process

When it comes to the design of a house, there is nothing more important than the relationship between yourself and your architect. There has to be trust, professionalism and an ability to respect and understand each other – otherwise the project is doomed from the start. This is one of the reasons we strongly recommend selecting a local architectural designer, as this facilitates direct contact throughout the project.

At BDS Architecture and BDS Construction we serve homeowners and businesses across Derby and the surrounding towns and villages. This is the process we tend to follow for design projects. For more information, please give us a call!

1) The Brief

The process begins with a meeting – or several – depending on how discussions progress. This allows you to brief the architect on what you’re looking for from the project and allows him or her in turn to explain their method of achieving your expectations.

The architect will then formally receive instructions from you, which will then be formalised into a contract which you confirm is your objective.

At this stage your architect will advise you on their fees for the project, likely time-scale and payment increments. At this stage you will also learn about other contractors who may need to be drafted in to complete some of the specialised work such as plumbing or electrics.

2) Feasibility Report

This is the stage at which detailed surveys are carried out for appraisal purposes. Now is when you will find out what will and won’t work in terms of planning permission and whether or not your budget will cover certain works.

You can then consider alternatives, looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each and how they better fit your budget.

3) Concept Design

This is when the architect really gets down to business, considering such features as scale, appearance, environment and functionality. You’ve both already decided what you’re aiming for, how much it’s going to cost and now it’s all down to how you’re going to achieve that.

The design could be sketches or a 3D or CAD model, including sections and elevations. Adjustments and modifications can, of course, still be made at this stage but the overall shape of the building will have been established.

4) Design Development

Much more definition and detail of the project come in to play at this stage. This includes what type of construction materials and finishes are going to be used as well as spacial and layout designs.

This is also when consultations with your planning department begin and applications for permissions are written up and submitted. If approved the application becomes a legal document and is in effect the green light for the project to go ahead.

Thinking Of Extending Your Home?

If you’re in the process of considering having a new house or even an extension to your existing home built, then we would be happy to chat over the above process with you. In the meantime, for inspiration why not take a look at our website BDS Architecture? It features some of our previous projects as well as testimonials from past clients and further guidelines on our building and architectural design process. If you’d rather have a chat with us then do call us on 01332 830313. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Topics: Residential Architecture

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