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RIBA Work Stages

How we work

We understand that for many clients, building a home is one of the largest undertakings of their lives. We are always honoured to be entrusted by our clients as a partner in the design and delivery of your project. We understand the value and importance of creating spaces that are not only beautiful but are functional, sustainable and enhance our clients daily lives.

The below will give you an insight to how we work and the stages involved from start to finish. DLM are a RIBA Chartered Practice and we have developed a bespoke version of the RIBA plan of work to suit the Channel Islands and our specific working methods. We offer a fixed fee for each stage of work, which provides total transparency, but also avoids the unexpected extra costs that are often experience within our industry. Each stage establishes clear deliverables and a fixed checkpoint, allowing our clients to tailor the scope of service required.

When you choose us, you choose a partner in designing and delivering your house.

0 Introduction

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1 Preparation & Briefing

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2 Concept Design

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3 Spatial Coordination

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4a Building Control

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4b Technical Design

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5 Construction

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6 Handover & Use

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Introduction

Where we get to know each other - our first meeting - an introduction to you and your site, and an opportunity to understand the scope of works you are embarking on, your lifestyle and your specific needs. At this point we can identify what surveys, further information or third-party consultation is required for our appointment. This is typically a free consultation, but some projects may require further meetings and investigation. It is an important pre-design stage, to ensure all preparations are in place, and that we have a shared ethos and design aesthetic to deliver a successful project. More...

Preparation & Briefing

This is where we establish your outline brief, personal design aspiration, budget, and timescales. It is the beginning of an ongoing conversation to ensure we develop ideas that meet your needs and exceed your expectations. More...

Concept Design

Where the project really comes to life as we pull together ideas in response to the site and your requirements. Depending on the scale and scope of the project this can be presented in a range of formats to best demonstrate the proposal. This stage is very much a collaboration where we work together to ensure we develop the best possible solution to meet your brief. More...

Spatial Coordination

Once you are happy with the concept, we move forward to develop the design in more detail in order to make a formal planning submission. This will include a full set of drawings, 3D rendered model, written reports and any other supporting information required in accordance with the relevant planning policies. More...

Building Control

Before you can begin construction works, you will also require an approved building license. To obtain this we will develop the scheme in further detail and prepare building regulation drawings and a written specification. Subsequently this package can also be detailed for construction and onward tender to enable contractors to accurately price the works. More...

Technical Design

Our building control package is now developed further and is detailed for construction and onward tender to enable contractors to accurately price the works. More...

Construction

Whilst the project is in construction, we can provide architectural site assistance and/or contract administration depending on your selected procurement route. Our role is to monitor works on site, provide additional information and to help guide you through personal design decisions to ensure the project meets all your expectations. More...

Handover & Use

Having been through the process together, we feel we have gotten to know you quite well. We like to keep in touch with our clients to see how you go on to live in your home and to see how the home grows with you. We feel it is important to gain feedback from previous projects to help inform us for our future projects. More...

Introduction

Preparation & Briefing

We will discuss budgets and what we believe is feasible and realistic, as well as identifying expected timescales for the project. It is this time that will allow us to best understand your aspirations in terms of quality, sustainability, flexibility, and values.

We also encourage you to share your inspiration and tastes. We typically collaborate via your preferred digital platform, but are happy to work however you are most comfortable.

We spend time at the site to understand the context of the project, which we photograph and document. We arrange topographical and measured building surveys which forms a basis from where we can work. You can expect a 3D site model and survey drawings of the existing buildings and site.

Concept Design

We might all agree on how your home should feel but we can never assume to know what it will look like, how the layout will work, or which materials it will be built from. We work with you, and using our expertise we focus on the design, sustainability and materials. At this stage the proposal starts to take shape. You can expect sketches, floor plans and a 3D computer model so that you can experience the material and special quality of the building in the context of its surroundings, and with its true solar orientation.

If required we can prepare a pre-application package giving the planning department an opportunity to engage with the design and offer early feedback allowing us to further develop the scheme.

When you are happy to, we move to the next stage.

Spatial Coordination

It is to be expected that there will be some tweaking and refinement from the concept design which will require your further input and approval, however a large proportion of the time allocated for this stage is spent drafting up the detailed design within our software and finalising the spatial configuration.

The preparation of the planning submission package is largely undertaken behind-the-scenes, it can feel frustrating and slow, but is a vital part of the process. We have a comprehensive understanding of the planning policies within the Island Development Plan, and produce detailed site analysis, justification and reports that will ensure we meet the criteria for each proposal and maximise your chances of success. We are yet to settle on a refusal.We will submit the application and there will then be a consultation and decision period. The length of this can vary depending on the type of application and current demand on the local planning department. We would ordinarily pause our work at this point to avoid progressing work ‘at risk’, before any planning decision has been made.

If required, we can start the Technical Design while the Planning Application is being considered.

Building Control

In order to translate our designs into a building, technical drawings are needed. We produce a detailed package of drawings, schedules and specifications that demonstrate how the proposal exceeds the statutory requirements of our local building regulations.

At this point your project will require the formal appointment of a structural engineer and potentially other third party consultants to co-ordinate the design.

Technical Design

Our technical drawings are sent out to tender, our local knowledge means that we know which contractors have capacity are best suited to the deliver the design. Depending on the type of building and client, but we can either approach a contractor directly or go out to a competitive tender.

The project information is reviewed by chosen contractors, and they put forward their cost to build it. There is then a period of analysis, when we will go through the tender returns with you and a cost consultant. We cover how the building is put together, finished, and fitted-out.

Our team of talented architectural technicians ensures that every detail is drawn and detailed. During this stage we will have multiple meetings with you to finalise all details and choice of materials and products.

We will meet with structural engineers and other consultants to co-ordinate the design.

Construction

Working alongside the contractor and contract administrator we visit the site every fortnight to catch up with you and to check progress. We’ll also be on the lookout for any concerns from you or the contractor that may need addressing as the build progresses.

We will be at hand to advise and answer queries from the contractor and work with them to resolve site issues. By maintaining this relationship, we also keep a close eye on progress and quality.

Handover & Use

DLM Architects

ANFRE ESTATE, ROUTE DE LA GARENNE, ST PETER PORT, GUERNSEY, GY1 2RL

INFO@DLM.GG | 01481 70 10 70

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info@dlm.gg

01481 70 10 70