A construction project starts with an idea that needs to be formulated in a well-designed form to build a thoughtful structure. You must make several small and meaningful decisions at each step to create a custom space. Therefore, working with an architect for basic permit drawings or full architectural services is better.
Moreover, you may need architectural design services to overhaul your home’s layout, carry out a full renovation, or build a new home. It is because the architects have all the required expertise and skills, which are crucial for negotiating the design and building process. They give professional advice and guidance to ensure your project’s high-quality finish within your budget.
Architectural Design Services
The architectural design services cover all aspects of design and construction from start to finish. The architects help you throughout the entire process and provide detailed guidance at each step to ensure the smooth completion of the project. In this way, they help you make the best decisions, consult with other building professionals on your behalf, and critically observe the construction phase to ensure the fulfilment of design intent and safety protocols.
What Services Do the Architects Provide?
Architects provide different Architectural Design Services in Guildford, which typically include the following:
- Pre-Design
Before designing a project, the architects gather as much information as possible from you about the project. They record your needs, budget, goals, and timeline before moving on to the next stage. They check your area’s local codes and by-laws, including environmental restrictions, fire codes, historical review boards, lengthy review periods, neighbourhood area commissions, and zoning codes. It helps them to learn more about the approval process and the required time.
- Site Analysis
The architect conducts a building site survey by visiting your project’s location to generate more ideas and better understand the construction site. They also analyse the site conditions by assessing climate, solar angles, topography, and other essential features. After that, they move to the next phase by employing different strategies and utilising all the information related to available design opportunities.
- Project Inception
This is the one of the crucial steps where the project planning begins. At this stage, you need to share your requirements, ideas, and goals with the architects so that they can create an efficient plan to fulfil the project needs.
- Schematic Design
In this service, the architects prepare preliminary design sketches and concepts depending on a project’s unique requirements and budget. It helps you explore different possible options with the help of illustrative Planning Drawings in Guildford. These designs are conceptually evocative, allowing you to incite new ideas. The architect also guides you about each design’s benefits and limitations and gets feedback, helping you choose the most suitable option.
- Design Development
Once the scope and quality of the finished project are clearly defined, the architects move towards the design development. During this phase, they determine whether the design conforms to the project’s preliminary budget and make the required adjustments that better suit the overall requirements.
- Construction Documents
This service is part of design development and involves developing working drawings and specifications after finalising the design concepts. These documents define the technical and specific information related to the project. These are required by the local municipalities for obtaining building permits and are used for soliciting bids from several contractors to start project construction.
Typically, these documents include the drawings related to the site, floor and foundation plan, exterior and interior elevations, building and wall sections, doors and windows details, ceiling plan, electrical and lighting plans, building specifications, and structural plans.
- Bidding and Negotiation
The architects also provide expert advice regarding selecting a particular contractor for your building project after evaluating competitive bids. They evaluate the bids thoroughly and assist in preparing a contract between the clients and the contractor.
- Construction and Contract Administration
The architects provide detailed consultations to the clients and give professional advice once the project construction starts. They also offer on-site visits to observe better and determine if construction is proceeding according to the construction document and design intent. Moreover, they also determine if the materials and workmanship meet relevant construction standards.
Conclusion
An architect helps you visualise your construction project’s finishing with the help of structural drawings and 3D renderings. It helps you make the necessary adjustments if you feel to do so before initiating the structural construction. Moreover, they also provide expert guidance and the best advice regarding selecting appropriate building materials and contractors for your project. In this way, they assist in making your construction project successful with smooth completion.