Design

From your brief to a buildable design

Design is where your brief becomes a proposal you can actually build. I work up layouts and options around how you want to live or work, and the Building Regulations shape those decisions from the first sketch, so the design that gets approved is one that can be built without being redrawn later.

Every design starts from your existing building. If we do not already have an accurate survey, a measured survey comes first, because good design decisions depend on knowing what is really there.

How the design stage works

1. Brief and site

We talk through what you want, your budget and how the space is used day to day. If you would like to meet on site first, a site visit is available.

2. Survey

The existing building is surveyed and drawn accurately, so every option is tested against the real room sizes, levels and openings.

3. Layout options

I prepare layouts and concept options and talk you through the tradeoffs: light, circulation, cost, and what the planning system is likely to accept.

4. Regulations check

Each option is checked against the Building Regulations as it develops, including stairs, escape, accessibility and the energy performance requirements of Part L, so nothing has to be undone later.

5. Settled design

We agree one design, which then goes forward as the basis for the planning application.

What you receive

• Existing floor plans and elevations of your building as surveyed
• Proposed layout plans, with the options explained
• Proposed elevations and sections where they are needed to explain the design
• A design that has been checked against the Building Regulations as it developed

The exact set depends on the project, and we agree it with you before work starts.

Who it suits

Homeowners planning an extension, attic conversion, renovation or new build, and anyone who wants to know what is possible on their site before spending on planning drawings. Granny flats and family annexes are designed here too, starting with whether planning permission is needed at all.

Where this fits

Design leads into the planning application, then tender and construction drawings. You can take any stage on its own, or the whole sequence with one person responsible throughout.

Planning Tender Construction