The Design process
This should be seen as a journey of discovery into what is possible with your project not simply a destination that needs to be arrived at as quickly as possible.
Every client will have their own particular needs and requirements so no one project will ever follow the same path to completion. The following is a guide to our work methodology and as any good design, will adapt into whatever form it needs to as the journey reveals itself.
Note: The first important thing to note is that we work to a fixed fee which is always, each and every time in favour of you the client. It does not matter if the process takes 5 hours or 55 hours the fees are still the same. With the financial side taken care of the design team (Forturo and you the client), are able to focus 100% of our energy on the journey of design...
We have broken our design process down into 5 stages:
- Initial site meeting
- Assessment of the site / building and clients brief
- Initial sketch drawings / concept designs
- Concept models
- Sketch designs / developed designs / client sign off
Step 1 - Initial site meeting
It's always important to meet new clients on the site of the proposed project. We feel it is vital to get an understanding of our client's view of the site and how they perceive the space and how they believe it could be developed. Very often we will point out a few fundamental design decisions straight away which perhaps the clients were not aware of, or we may suggest an alternative approach that had not been considered. There may be building issues or even resource consent issues that could have a huge impact on the design. All of these points are identified and discussed during this initial site meeting.
Step 2 - Assessments of the site / building and clients brief
Once all of the realistic boundaries have been identified (physical or otherwise) with the chosen site (bare land for new builds or existing buildings for alterations and extensions), we will sit down with you and write up a more details list of requirements or brief. At the same time we will obtain more information on the property or site to be worked on. For a new build we normally obtain a land survey and for an existing building we will normally conduct a full measured survey. On the conclusion of this stage we will have all the relevant information in place to be able to start the design process in full.
Site Plan
Step 3 - Initial sketch drawings / concept designs
The first series of drawings and sketches are normally very quick free hand outlines of ideas to get the process underway. We tackle this on two fronts, firstly the physical relationship of the site to the environment, the wind, the rain, sun and orientation and son on - and secondly we use what we have learnt of the site of building to influence the design principles and the zoning of the spaces and areas. We then slowly develop these into our first rough design sketch plans and models.
Initial sketch drawings
Initial sketch drawings
Step 4 - Concept models
The physical models we find are the single most important part of the design process. We can and do show clients the standard range of design drawings (plans, sections, elevations, perspectives, details etc), but a client that does not look at design documentation everyday of the week cannot be expected to be able to take everything fully onboard. We recognise this fact and therefore produce the 3 dimensional physical models for all of our designs. Although pretty rough and based at the conceptual level these models are 100% honest in that you can pick them up, turn them around and see the design take shape right before your eyes. We still produce all of the standard drawings that other practices produce but we need to ensure that our clients are completely aware and happy with the way the design process is proceeding (even 3D drawings are only ever produced by design firms with the intention to persuade a client and they never show the unsuccessful sides of a design to a client). As far as we know we are the only practice in the entire Wellington region to produce such concept models as a matter of standard procedure on all projects.
Concept models
Concept models
Concept models
Step 5 - Sketch designs / developed designs / client sign off
Steps 1 through to 4 have been the equivalent of laying the foundations - assuming that steps 1 - 4 have been completed as fully as possible we will now be in a position where we have the idea response to the site or building for the brief and we will know the build cost budget estimates are all within limits. This is an extremely strong position to be in and will make step 5 more of a natural progression than a re design.
From the concept to the sketch design to now the developed design we will be looking at the smaller details of the design - dimensions from the wall to the door to get a particular joinery unit to fit or the window in bedroom 3 to move north 350mm - this is the type of details the developed design will cover. Once all areas have been covered you the client will be able to sign that stage of the work off as completed and we can then move onto the resource consent or building consent documentation stages.
3D Model
The resource consent process
Unlike the design process which was very much a team effort of client and Forturo, the resource consent process is fronted by Forturo with the back up of any additional professional consultants that may need to be engaged - the client takes up almost a back seat position but is fully informed and is kept up to date at all times. The resource consent documents are basically the developed design drawings with additional town planning information included. An assessment of effects on the environment report is written up, site visits, council meetings, negotiations with neighbours all form part of the scope of works covered for this stage of the project.
The resource management act can be an extremely complicated piece of legislation to work through and every project will require a different strategy. We will guide through the various council procedures and give good advice at every turn. The fact that we have a great working relationship with the individual members of the planning teams within various councils of the Wellington region and the fact that we have years of experience and knowledge with working within the RMA (resource management act), means that you are in very safe and reliable hands. The process although necessary will be concluded at its earliest natural point.
Once the resource consent is approved and in place you are then able to commence on the building consent process.
The building consent process
As with the resource consent previously, this stage of the project is carried out by Forturo along with any other professional consultants (fire engineer, structural engineer etc), that may be required. But unlike other local architecture and design practices we do not stop at just the bare minimum to meet the building code or to just get the building consent approval and then chare additional fees for additional drawings. As part of the fixed fee structure we operate on we provide and include all the additional drawings and documentation required to actually be able to build your project - power, lighting, flooring, window / door schedules, kitchen joinery and so on all form part of the overall building consent application to council.
Once the building consent approval is through you then have all the documentation required to build your project. At this stage we will advise on the availability of Forturo build, other local builders and contractors, we will explain the tender process, forms of build contract, liability issues, project observation and so on - everything else you will need to know before you sign up with any building contracting company.
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