PROCESS

As a first point of call, we like to arrange a free-of-charge no-obligation meeting with you to hear about your project brief, ideas & aspirations, answer any questions you might have about the our services and packages we provide, and determine whether our practice is a good fit for your project.

Once the brief and scope are agreed, we dive deep into gathering information to fully understand the specific environment, climate and people involved in the project. This includes research and investigations into the physical site, its surroundings, planning restrictions, legal information, history, micro and macro climates, and the intended uses and users of the proposed building.

This information and the project brief become the main drivers of the design response to come.

We then generate the Concept Design through an iterative process of exploring, examining and optimizing a response to the project brief and the gathered information.

The Concept Design response addresses the overarching conceptual idea of the project, the basic functionality and spatial layout of the program and site, and how the design interacts with the site and its surroundings.

At the end of each design stage, we ask you to take the time to review the design to ensure it aligns with your thinking and to provide feedback before we progress any further.

Upon receiving your feedback, we revisit the design response and continue to refine it; testing and providing the appropriate sizes and relationships of spaces, and further defining the form and aesthetics, construction methods, and key structure and building materials.

At the end of this stage the project should be clearly defined with the general design of spatial arrangements, areas, volume, form, and key material specifications and compositions being confirmed. This is typically a good time to pass the design drawings on to a Quantity Surveyor or builder, who can begin to establish a preliminary cost estimate for the build.

Once we have the preliminary cost estimate and any further feedback from you, we further develop the design to a point where we have identified and coordinated all elements of the building. This includes identifying the general floor, wall and roof buildups, structural elements, building services, materials, and surfaces, exploring any critical construction details, and developing the form and atmosphere of the internal spaces.

If required, this is when a Resource Consent (RC) should also be applied for. With the planning information gathered during Stage 1, we would identify where and what parts of the RMA the proposed building is not complying with (if any). If required, we would then assist in the engagement and coordination of a Planner to apply for the RC, and complete the drawings required for the application.

5.2. Additional Drawings

There are typically also parts of the project that do not require the Local Authority to review for Building Consent purposes. These typically include the likes of cabinetry, built-in furniture pieces, and finishes for kitchens, bathrooms, and other key spaces; selections of appliances, plumbing, and light fittings; and landscape items and features, etc. 

Although not required for Building Consent, we encourage these additional drawings be included in the larger detailed drawing set for construction as these items are often critical in completing the overall look and feel of the holistic design idea.

These drawings can often be included in the set used to for the tendering / selection process of a builder and establishing a build price for the project.

Selecting and engaging a builder can happen several ways. Two common methods are:

1. we work with a builder that you know and trust already, or

2. we can arrange and administer a tender process for you where we invite multiple builders to tender for the job, coordinate the tender process and respond to any queries the tenderers might have. We then facilitate your selection by compiling and comparing the tender submissions and managing any negotiations necessary to come to an agreement.

Once you’ve selected the preferred builder, we prepare the Construction Contract between you and can facilitate in the signing of it. 

The project is usually constructed by the builder under the agreed Construction Contract. To help you with the management of this Contract and ensure everything goes as planned, we can act in two capacities. 

a. Observation

We monitor the construction process to ensure the build, its quality, construction materials, and installations are in accordance with the detailed design documents and specifications that we supplied. This is generally via regular site visits, during which time we’ll also observe health & safety measures and compliance with the NZ Building Code on site.

We’ll also prepare and provide the drawings for construction to you; and review and provide comment to you on the various requests, queries, and communications you receive from the builder. Eg variations, extensions of time, samples, materials and components, off-site goods, shop drawings etc. 

b. Observation & Administration

As well as ‘Observation’, we act as your representative in the management of the Construction Contract to ensure all contractual obligations are fulfilled, minimising any hassles for you throughout the construction process, and to reduce the potential of any costly mistakes.

We’ll undertake and minute regular site visits, establish and maintain clear communication channels, review and provide comment on the builder’s Health & Safety Plan, and review, certify, and respond to the various requests, queries, and communications from the builder.

We’ll also receive, assess, and certify the builder’s monthly payment claims, track these against and monitor the overall contract price, and monitor the construction progress against the builder’s programme and what is being claimed for. On completion of the project, we also formally issue the practical completion and defects liability certificates.