We will work closely with you during initial design meetings to find out your objectives and aspirations for your project. We will carry out a thorough site survey and analysis to establish the building's potential and optimal relationship with the surroundings and local conditions. Along with our expert recommendations, these discussions and investigations will be worked up into a clear project brief from which we can commence our design process.

We then move onto concept design where we test and develop different spatial concepts and layouts. This is often the most creative stage and we may show you an array of influences and imagery for inspiration. We will begin to investigate materials and imagine how the space will feel, using sketches and images to describe our ideas. We will then use 3D modelling software and CAD to draw up design options to discuss with you. Further refinement of these options will then lead to an agreed scheme to take forward to planning.

We have extensive experience of achieving Planning Permission, Conservation Area Consent and Listed Building Consent. We will investigate planning policy related to your site, as well as approved and rejected applications within your area and on similar sites to establish the planning parameters. Where possible we try to work closely with the planning departments and conservation officers prior to and during the formal submission in order to test the possibilities in planning terms. Even where a building is listed, there are still many possibilities for development within the confines of heritage policy and we enjoy exploring these avenues, where the new and old coexist in harmony.

Once a final design has been agreed, we will put together the planning documents including drawings and design statements. We will also co-ordinate supporting information provided by other specialists if needed including ecological reports, tree surveys or heritage statements. At this stage we can also advise you on Party Wall matters and recommend consultants including Structural Engineers.

A detailed and coherent package of design information will allow a builder to cost your project and build it to a specified level of detail, thus ensuring a high quality of finish. At this stage we scale up the drawings to reveal the key material interfaces- areas where problems can arise if not properly designed. We will provide detailed plans, sections and elevations as well as several large scale technical details and dimensioned layouts for your kitchens, bathrooms and electrical items.

We will also prepare a detailed Schedule of Works describing the design in detail and specifying all the materials and components from roof materials to plug sockets. This stage involves sourcing and researching appropriate materials to meet the budget and design intent. The schedule will allow a builder to give an itemised costing of the project. At this stage we will also liaise and co-ordinate with a Structural Engineer on your behalf and we will submit drawings and information to Building Control. Finally we will collate and submit Tender Package documents to the builders of your choice and attend tender meetings to help you chose the right contractor.

During the construction stage we will ensures that your visions for your project are carried through to every aspect of the build. This inevitably results in a much higher quality of construction where we can explain and ensure implementation of the finer details of the design.

We will attend weekly site visits to co-ordinate the design with the contractor and other consultants and ensure that work is proceeding in accordance with the proposed designs. We will liase between yourselves and the builders to communicate and explain technical or design issues and to provide additional information to the builder and yourselves where necessary.

Alternatively, we can offer an hourly rate site service where we charge only for the hours spent to answer site queries and provide additional information.