Home Owners
The full architectural service for the home owner from free consultation to planning consent and navigating building regulations.
1. Initial Consultation
The free initial consultation is an informal discussion with you, the homeowner looking to undertake the project. This can be a daunting process so communication is key. During the initial consultation we will discuss what you would like to achieve from the proposed development and the feasibility of the project. We can talk through various design approaches and suggest the best solutions moving forward.
We will give you a detailed overview of the entire process and timescales involved. Finally, we will email you a detailed quotation summarising the scope of services included and some previous examples of our work. It will then be down to you to contact us if you would like to proceed.
2. Measured Survey
If you decide to proceed the next step is a measured survey. This is a site visit where we can produce an accurate representation of your property. This will usually take up to an hour and during this visit we can discuss your brief in detail. Depending on the scope of the works required the measured survey will usually lead to the following drawings being created and presented: floor plans, elevation, basic section, roof plan and a site layout.
3. Sketch Designs
We always provide clients with several sketch designs to show the different ways the space can be utilised. We typically provide 3 different options based on the brief and tend to find that our clients like different elements from each. We will discuss the different options at a design meeting and amend the plans accordingly to ensure you are happy with the final design
4. Planning Application
Planning consent is required for the majority of residential projects. However, in some instances a planning application may not be necessary due to Permitted Development Rights. During the initial consultation we will discuss this and if a planning application is not necessary, we will submit an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness which will certify that the proposed development is lawful and within your permitted development rights.
As your agent we will prepare the necessary drawings and application forms and submit this to the council on your behalf. We will manage the entire process which may include liaising with planning officers and updating information accordingly.
5. Building Regulations
Once we have obtained the necessary planning consent or certificate of lawfulness, we will prepare the building regulation package. The drawing package is required by the council to ensure that the development is being built in accordance with today’s regulations. We provide quality and detailed plans which can be used on site for construction. This will include cross sections, foundation layouts, joist layouts, roof layouts and detailed cross sections. Each drawing package will be accompanied with a specification.
Whilst we do not do structural calculations or designs, we will guide you through this process and obtain quotations on your behalf for any structural works which may be required and liaise with the engineers when necessary. We will complete the application and submit this to the council for approval and liaise with the building control surveyor to ensure that this is approved in a timely manner.
This will conclude our works however we will be available to discuss any items as required with your builder. We will also be able to provide you with our list of recommended contractors if required to enable you to get quotations.
Recent Works
Cottage in Winterbourne Down
Two storey and single storey extension with full renovation to create modern family home
The brief from the client was to turn this old cottage into a modern family home. The client wanted to achieve a modern rear elevation with bi-folding doors to allow lots of light into the house and make the most of the views. The design needed to be sympathetic to the traditional stone fronted cottage. We provided the client with several different layout options to provide a modern kitchen/dining/family area that they required. This allowed the client to see how they could envisage themselves using the space. The design and planning process was challenging due to the property being located in the greenbelt. We achieved a volume increase of 66m3 (75%) which is great as planning policies only recommend a 30-50% increase.
Bromley Heath, Downend
Single storey extension to form modern open plan living area
The brief was to extend the property to create a large modern kitchen/dining/family area to accommodate a growing young family. The new family area we have created to the rear of the property is now the hub of the home. This means the clients now have an “adults only” formal living room to the front of the property. We also incorporated a WC with space for a washer dryer in this room. The design benefited from large bi-folding doors to the rear of property and Velux windows to maximise the natural light being sent into the back of the room. This single storey extension did not require planning permission and we obtained a certificate of lawfulness for this project as well as building regulation approval.
Garage Conversion, Frampton Cotterell
Garage conversion to form home office / man cave
During the pandemic the client needed a space to work for home and required a space to play his instruments with his band as he is a keen musician. The existing garage was only used for storage, so we ensured that our designs retained an external store suitable for things such as gardening equipment. We also designed the office/music room to have an internal store to allow band equipment to be stored and accessed from the main space. The garage was converted to comply with the building regulations ensuring maximum comfort for the client. The home office doubles as a man cave for band practice and socialising. This property is in a conservation area and therefore the garage conversion did not come under permitted development, so we obtained planning permission and building regulations approval before the construction.
Sanshurst Road, Brislington
Single storey extension to form modern open plan living area
The client wanted to remove the old conservatory which housed the kitchen. The key was to ensure the new kitchen was to be built to regulations to ensure it wasn’t cold in the winter and overheating in the summer. The design included a large knock through between the house and the new kitchen to maximise the light sent back into the living area of the property and provide a more open plan feel. A modern kitchen was designed to use the space efficiently which has provided the client with much more flexibility and storage. This single storey extension did not require planning permission and we obtained a certificate of lawfulness for this project as well as building regulation approval.