Introduction
RWB Architecture specialises in unique extensions, homes, conversions and refurbishments dedicated to providing creative design solutions and willing to take on difficult projects and sites. Our design philosophy means we take the function of the proposals before the aesthetic, bringing together a suitable proposal that meets the requirements of you, the Client, whether it is in the traditional architectural form or the more modern and contemporary. We aim to bring ecologically sound design practice into our proposals in the form of energy saving installations or ecologically sourced materials to provide you, the Client, with a renewably sourced final building based on time prerequisites and budget constraints. We aim to provide you, the Client, with a bespoke design service, from providing working drawings for self builders through to a full design service, working with you, the Client, to tailor our services to your exact needs.
Feasibility Studies
Springing from the initial meeting, depending on the extent of the proposed project, it may be desirable to explore various options to come to the optimum final design to provide the form and functionality that you, the Client, desires. These drawings can be used to gain comments from the Local Authority to ensure the proposals are viable before they are taken any further without the need of a Planning Application.
Design Development
Once the scheme has been finalised through the feasibility process then the Detailed Design Development takes place where the intricacies will be finalised including kitchen location, electrical and lighting positions where necessary following discussions with you, the Client. At this stage other consultants maybe appointed such as a structural engineer and initial contact with the respective Development Control will be made to gauge the schemes likely acceptance.
Planning Applications
Assuming the proposals are of a sufficient size then Planning Approval maybe sought, there are exceptions to this stage, if the extension is under a particular area for instance then it may be exempt. Once the final design is approved by you, the Client, then final pre-application advice can be sought before an application is made to ensure that there are no sticking points with the proposals. During the process any minor amendments can still be made if required until approval is granted, after such time alterations can be difficult to be agreed and can result in an additional application being required dependant on the amount of amendments, locations and types that might be required.
Building Regulations
Building Regulations are a set of drawings that provide the Local Authority detailed information to ensure that the proposed building meets all current legislatures on building practices including health & safety and fuel consumption. We pride on not only matching but exceeding these figures where budgetary constraints allow to ‘future proof’ the buildings we design to ensure they will remain inside any future legislature that will come into place in the future. This allows the building to be run more efficiently reducing fuel costs. These drawings may then be used to procure preliminary tenders from Contractors giving you, the Client, a basic price that the proposal will cost. This can then be altered accordingly to meet budget and time constraints if so desired.
Construction Drawings
If required full Construction Drawings including a Specification can be produced to provide finite detail to ensure that the Tenders from the Contractor is as detailed as possible. Meaning that you, the Client, have peace of mind in the knowledge that the details the Contractor has based his prices on are as complete as possible meaning that delays and additional cost are unlikely to be raised. This takes a great deal of preparation, however the end result should ensure the project runs smoothly on-site and provides all information to engage the Contractor in a Formal Contract which provides a price guarantee, programme and payment schedule based on work completed at certain due dates already agreed with the Contractor and you, the Client.
