A brief explanation of the service we provide.
We aim to be as 'no-nonsense' as possible. We aim to add value in getting the best solution to whatever your home building project is. Whether it be make it lighter, more practical, give your project a better 'sense of place', we work hard to make it work better. Design is a matter of providing a solution to a problem. At times it is like solving a puzzle. Sometimes you need to think differently or seek an unconventional approach to get that idea that drives the design. What we bring to your project is experience and a fresh point of view, always looking for that ideal solution. To help explain the design process, below represents the typical stages and sample drawings of those stages. I hope this is of some use to you. |
1. Concept SketchesConcept sketches are presented mostly as a floor plan. Depending on the project, these are usually freehand sketches. The aim is to quickly assess and test various ideas. Freehand sketching is a good method to quickly test out possibilities. The Concept stage is a matter of trial and error, sometimes an idea seems to flow from the pen first time, other times it may take many sketches and discussions to resolve the design over a period of time. Sometimes it may be a series of half baked ideas, but these are necessary to get to the ideal concept that you maybe couldn't see before.
Sometimes we develop concept sketches on CAD. It greatly depends on the project. We always try to take the most efficient pathway to get that design. |
2. Sketch PlansSketch Plans are a more refined progression of the freehand concept sketches. They are an intermediate stage between the Concept Sketches and Working Drawings.
We 'model' the building within a 3D architectural CAD program called Revit. The model is basic to start with, then we layer more detail and information as the design develops. We produce lots of perspective views to help you understand the design. We can demonstrate accurate sun angles at various time of the day/season/year to test how the design functions. In most cases, the Concept Sketches and Sketch Plans we produce aren't fancy presentation drawings, they are functional drawings that test ideas, explain to you the intention and work towards the eventual product, which is building plans for building consent and construction. |
3. Working DrawingsWe continue with the Sketch Plans and refine the design, resolve issues, adding more information and detail.
Generally speaking, working drawings for DA/CC and CDC purposes are drawn at 1:100 scale and contain more technical information eg. dimensions, detailed floor plans, elevations, sections, building height planes, impervious area calculations, floor space ratios, shadow diagrams, construction notes and basix requirements. Depending on the depth of information you require, we can provide further detail such as joinery drawings, wet area details (bathrooms, etc), schedules of fixtures and finishes, etc. Obviously the more detailed the drawings and material selections are, the more accurate the building quotes and the more the final built product will match your expectations. The type of drawing and documentation package is up to you, basic or detailed. |