Whether you’re planning a renovation, buying or selling a property, or exploring alterations and extensions for an existing building, our architect’s consultation services offer tailored expertise. With expertise in heritage buildings, heritage conservation areas and feasibility studies, we provide invaluable insights and expert guidance to help you make informed decisions and achieve successful outcomes for your project.
To initiate the design process, our team conducts an internal measurement of the existing residence to create precise CAD drawings, essential for Stage 3 and subsequent phases. These detailed plans, together with the survey from Stage 2, ensure precise boundary lines, ridge heights, and details of neighbouring properties. This meticulous approach encompasses the entire home, including its exterior areas and facades.
A detailed survey, (coordinated by Kooshk Architect+Builder and conducted by a Registered Surveyor) accurately determines the existing structure’s extent and position on the property. This essential step ensures our design and construction plans are based on precise, reliable data.
Our design team will meet with you to document your design brief, ensuring we have a clear understanding of your vision for the renovated home’s appearance, ambiance, and functionality. Based on this discussion, we create initial concept plans that align with your brief, which you can review and approve before moving to the next stage.
If any aspects of the initial concept plans appear potentially contentious with the council, we may seek early feedback to assess their feasibility. We will then inform you of any planning risks, allowing us to manage expectations appropriately.
Our team develops a construction budget plan using the initial concepts from Stage 3. This plan aids in making informed decisions about your project’s scope before advancing with the design, allowing for adjustments to keep the renovation within budget.
We ensure you are informed about cost estimates from the beginning, empowering you to proceed confidently. The budget plan serves as a reference point during the interior design phases (Stages 8 and 9), enabling informed decisions with a clear grasp of cost implications. It is regularly updated as the design progresses through the stages.
For projects that necessitate it, our team concentrates on crafting the building envelope and defining its architectural style.
This stage is relevant for homes undergoing external modifications that extend beyond the rear elevation, visible from public areas or neighbouring properties. To provide a comprehensive view of the project’s aesthetic, this stage generates CAD plans, elevations, and sections detailing the building’s envelope for evaluation. Furthermore, our team may offer one or two external perspective sketches to aid in visualising the final outcome.
Our team creates the initial concept plans (and/or design development plans) with the necessary level of detail for your council application. This includes all pertinent supporting documents required by the council for application assessment. With our team’s extensive experience in this field, we ensure a favourable outcome for your Development Application (DA) approval.
It’s important to mention that not all projects necessitate a Development Application; sometimes, a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) may be sufficient. Our team can provide guidance on the most suitable approach based on your specific needs.
After obtaining development approval from the council, our plans undergo refinement to include essential construction details, fulfil any consent conditions, and coordinate with necessary consultants like structural and hydraulic engineers, preparing them for construction. Our team compiles these refined plans, along with other required documentation, and submits them to the appointed Principal Certifying Authority (PCA), whom we assist in selecting.
The PCA then issues the construction certificate and collaborates with our team to oversee the project’s construction process.
This pivotal stage is both thrilling and crucial as it defines the ultimate look and ambiance of your home! Typically following Stage 5, it progresses alongside the development application, ensuring optimal efficiency in preparation for the construction phase of your renovation. Our team will initially propose a selection of finishes and fixtures aligned with your design preferences, saving you valuable time by handling the sourcing and presentation of samples in our office.
Upon completion of this stage, your renovation will be fully documented by our design team, with all finishes and fixtures meticulously scheduled for easy reference during construction. We are now poised to transition to the construction stage.
During the building phase, our design team remains actively involved and works closely with our construction team on your project. We meticulously examine the final shop drawings for windows, doors, and joinery to ensure they harmonize with the design. Our team is accessible to handle any on-site inquiries or issues, and we may participate in site meetings with you to review our designs’ progress. This commitment guarantees that your home renovation is executed to the highest standard, bringing our vision to life.
