Full Architectural Services

Ready to launch into a great residential design with the benefits of a totally coordinated and managed architectural services for your project? Or maybe you are simply after a great residential design and happy to allow your builder to interpret the design.

Like our designs, it is possible to tailor a special services package to suit your individual budget and timing needs.

“Architects possess the most appropriate training and experience to totally coordinate and manage your building project. Involvement in the initial design concept, early planning and determination of your needs for the building, puts your architect in the best position to effectively plan the work, brief the builder and provide the most cost effective solution.

Throughout the project, your architect will control the design, planning and quality of workmanship and materials to meet time and budgetary constraints. Your architect will be your independent adviser, liaising on your behalf with builders, consultants and suppliers and ensuring compliance with the spirit and intent of the project.” 

(Extract from “You and Your Architect: Building Projects”, published by RAIA Practice Services, 41 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000)

For a more comprehensive explanation of “Best Practice: Architectural Design Process” of an architecturally designed home, please go to our page The Design Process.

Your Options

We’ve outlined in plain terms what we undertake in each stage, and what we will provide to you, to make it easy for you to choose which level of services is most appropriate for your project.

If you require a great residential design, and wish to allow your builder to interpret the design intent, then undertaking the Concept Design and Design Development stages is a great option for you.

If you intend to work directly with your builder during construction, but you want more thorough and detailed contract documentation, then we recommend the above stages with the addition of the Construction Documentation stage.

If dealing with a builder sounds overwhelming, we’d love to provide full architectural services for you! This package is suitable if you require a creative residential design with the full benefits of a totally coordinate and managed project: from the initial instigation, through to the day you move in. Here, we offer full design and documentation services, as well as tendering (for competitive, market driven builder pricing of the project), and Contract Administration services.

Browse through our options below, and contact us with your questions, or if you’d like to hear more.

Translate your brief into concept sketches and design alternatives. Activities include:

  • Site analysis.
  • Client design brief and analysis.
  • Explore multiple design options.
  • Presentation to client.

Develop the preferred design option into examined aspects of function, technical and aesthetic. Activities include:

  • Exploration and production of detailed plans, sections and elevations.
  • Selection and engagement of consultants (where required).
  • Sun and shading diagrams (as required by statutory planning).
  • Preliminary material selections.
  • Presentations to client.

Produce technical documents suitable for obtaining building approvals, builders’ costing, and construction. Activities and documents include:

  • Working drawings including floor plans, building sections, external elevations, and wall sections required for building permits.
  • Liaison and integration of consultant requirements. Such consultants are likely to include Land Surveyor, Geotechnical Engineer, Structural and Civil Engineer, Energy Consultant.
  • Presentations to client.

Production and collation of comprehensive technical documents suitable for building approval, builders’ costing, and construction. Such documents allow builders to produce accurate quotes, and to achieve extraordinary results during construction. Activities and documents include:

  • Working drawings including plans, sections, elevations, and wall sections required for building permits.
  • Liaison and integration of consultant requirements. Such consultants are likely to include Land Surveyor, Geotechnical Engineer, Structural and Civil Engineer, Energy Consultant
  • Working drawings including plans, sections, elevations, and wall sections required for building permits.
  • Additional building details, beyond those required for building permit.
  • Interior design including: internal fit-out details for the design, set out and detail of kitchen, bathrooms and joinery items.
  • Large scale plans and elevations of specific internal areas not described in interior design drawings.
  • Service plans showing power, lighting, switching, telephone, and mechanical systems.
  • Custom written specifications providing detailed descriptions of materials and workmanship.
  • Selection, coordination and scheduling of specific internal fixtures, appliances, lighting, finishes and colours selections.
  • Presentations to client.

Additional interior design services and documentation may be required by you to further complement the Design and Full Documentation Stage. Items such as specific joinery can be added to this scope of design and documentation on a pre-arranged basis.

Services include:

  • Assist with tender process and selection of builders.
  • Prepare contracts for signing.
  • Arrange and attend site visits to observe the progress of the works.
  • Issue instructions to the builder and provide supplementary details as required.
  • Maintain records on cost variations.
  • Custom written project specification comprising detailed descriptions of materials and workmanship.
  • Assess builder’s progress claims for payments.
  • Issue certificate of completion and prepare defects lists.