Process

When does a design and construction project begin?

Essentially when a client recognises that improvements need to be made to their office space. This could be anything from the business changing size to a lease coming up for renewal. Once it is clear that something needs to change, it's time to agree on the starting goals.

Fear not - you don’t have to do this alone.

Our team can help you flesh-out a starting plan of action. This stage of a project is all about gathering insights and working through them together so the project becomes strategic.

An essential phase that is required before a detailed brief can be created.

Once we’ve got broad goals, it’s time to get more specific about what the aims of the project are. At this point, we designate a project team, based on each individual’s experience and skills.

With the right team on your project, everything runs more efficiently. At this stage we continue to look at the feasibility of your project, alongside everything below.

This stage enables the client to create a project brief which clearly outlines the desired outcomes and the responsibilities of those involved.

This is where everything moves up a gear. Our team spends a lot of time on site and with your team to finalise the project brief. Once the brief is ready, the first concept designs are created and specialist furniture assessments are undertaken to ensure everything is feasible.

Meanwhile, our sustainability team ensures the agreed environmental strategies are properly set in the project plans.

Throughout, we keep a close eye on how any new information will affect overall costs. Before long, a construction strategy is put in place and it’s time to get serious about design.

Exciting times as the conceptual designs are finalised and all parties agree to no more changes without extremely good reasons to do so. We call this point of the project “freeze”.

To get to this stage typically requires multiple design iterations, workshops, computer visualisations, and insights from sub-contractors on specialist finishes.

The building services and construction designs will be ready for sign-off by the lead designer, the client, and the landlord. It’s a big moment in the project.

Once the work of the design team has reached the appropriate level of detail, the architectural, building services, and engineering designs are refined to confirm the technical details of the project.

In addition, the specialist subcontractors or suppliers are expected to finish their own designs. These are reviewed to ensure everything is properly coordinated and our designers can conclude the technical elements of their work.

By the end of this stage, all aspects of the project design are complete, apart from minor queries that arise on the site in the construction stage.

Now that all the plans and paperwork are finally in place, construction begins in earnest. This phase includes the erection of components that have been fabricated off site and also the installation of all ancillary items, such as specialist furniture or bespoke audio-visual kit.

During this period, the lead designer responds to any design related queries, carries out site inspections and produces quality-reports.

It’s a busy period, but if the project foundations are strong, everything runs smoothly.

As its name suggests, the core priority during this stage is to facilitate the successful handover of the building as outlined in the project programme. This involves rigorously inspecting any defects to ensure they are quickly rectified and producing any certification required by the building contract.

There are various other services that may be required during this period, which are dictated by the project-specific schedules of services along with our own detailed procurement and handover strategies. Typical examples include training workshops or anything required to ensure the successful operation and management of the building after handover.

During this period, our team assesses how any lessons learned might be applied on future projects. It’s amazing what you can continue to learn.

This is a new formal stage within the RIBA Plan of Work. It acknowledges the benefits of harnessing the project-design information to assist with the successful ongoing operation and use of a building. While the majority of handover duties will be completed during Stage 6 (i.e. prior to the conclusion of the formal building contract) certain activities may be necessary afterwards.

These should be confirmed within the relevant schedule of services documents but we do take great pride in the post-contract support we provide. Frankly, we believe you can never help enough. That’s why nearly all our clients choose to work with us again.