Vital services to help you move forward with your project, from feasibility to masterplan…

A detailed 3D visualisation, created in-house, to present the final concept developed as part of a masterplan

Quite often, clients assume that they need to commit to a whole project from concept to construction, before they even contact us. If you are at the early decision making stage of your new home, project, or site purchase, there are some vital services we offer that to help you move forward with greater conviction. It can make a project less daunting by breaking it into these smaller components. Below you will find explanations of a Feasibility Study, Concept Design and a Masterplan and how they can help you to get your project moving.

Below are 3 different options to get a project started

1. Feasibility Study:
The best option when you want to explore a potential site or project from an architectural, financial and time perspective. This can inform decisions around the site acquisition if you do not already own it.

Typically a feasibilty study involves weighing up the potential of a site from a conceptual, planning and timing perspective. This then informs the costs and potential returns associated with a site. We have undertaken many feasibility studies for single residences, commercial projects and multi-residential projects. This study can also help determine whether to renovate or pursue a new build.

The key elements of a feasibility study are:

• a review of the site conditions along with the planning controls

• preliminary diagrammatic layouts based on the brief

• conceptual ideas for the project, represented using precedent imagery

• two meetings to work through the layouts and concepts

• preliminary planning advice from a consulting planner

• indicative budgets for the project, including construction costs

• estimates of fees for consultants, permits etc.

• a program outline through to project completion

• a consolidated package with all the information in a digital format, and A3 hard copies if required

2. Concept Design:
Perfect for when you have your site/property and want to see some creative concepts that respond to your brief and the site constraints, so you can weigh up options.

This stage involves a detailed briefing session along with a site visit which gives us the background to prepare a number of concept options. These will generally focus on the ‘broad brush’ design decisions in the form of diagrammatic plans, along with overall site plan layouts. 

The key tasks included in this stage are as follows; 

• site inspection and detailed briefing meeting. 

• review planning constraints.

• prepare preliminary concepts and options

• concept presentation showing the creative vision for your project, typically including design precedents, conceptual thinking around materiality, sketches and moodboards.

• one revision of the selected concept to incorporate feedback.

An example of an exploration, as part of a master plan. A 3D model exploring how to adapt and re-use the existing structure to accomodate a new addition. Note - areas to remove are in pink and additions are in blue. The detailed in-house 3D visualisations shown below were created from this model.

3. Master Plan:
Perfect when you already have the site/property but need a developed concept, a vision for the future and possibly a staged approach to the build.

Similar to Concept Design (above,) but more developed and detailed around a final direction. A well developed master plan for a site is a great idea to inform your project, especially if you would like to tackle it in stages. 

We include two components in a Master plan: "Concept Design" (explained above) + "Schematic Design". So not only do you get the creative and conceptual vision for your project, you also receive a detailed, furnished floorplan at scale and 3D views of the proposed design, including preliminary external finishes.

Following an approved concept design, we will progress and develop the chosen design. The key tasks included for this stage are as follows; 

• develop design based on approved Concept Design (included stages listed above)

• prepare 3D model

• Schematic Presentation 01 – Developed floorplans, 3D images and concept images explaining spaces and materials.

• amend design if required.

• Schematic Presentation 02 – Developed floorplans, 3D images and concept images explaining spaces and materials. Kitchen and bathroom layouts are usually shown indicatively at this stage. 

• amend design if required.

Typically there is no interior design at this stage, with the kitchens, bathrooms etc shown indicatively on the plans.

A 3D model developed as part of the masterplan exploration showing the original tired, low ceilinged, dark home and the redesign of a light filled structure with soaring ceilings, a deck and a swimming pool.

Above and below, detailed 3D visualisations created in-house to present the final concept developed as part of a masterplan. The brief was the repurposing of a tired seventies property into a large light filled rural property.

Conclusion

How to start your project? It’s simple, if you are not ready to commit to the entire journey from concept to construction, talk to us about moving forward with one of the shorter, faster formative stages of a project then re-assess. We suggest either:

• Feasibility Study:
  The best option when you want to explore a potential site or project from an architectural, financial and time perspective. This can inform decisions around the site acquisition and dollars and cents.

• Concept Design:
  Perfect for when you have your site/property and want to see some creative concepts that respond to your brief and the site constraints, so you can weigh up options.

• Master Plan:
  Perfect when you already have the site/property but need a well developed concept, a floorplan, a vision for the future and possibly a staged approach to the build.

The fees and hours of work associated with all three options vary and we are happy ot talk these through with you. This small investment at the front end of a project can set you in the right direction, set your mind at ease and give you a concept, budget or timeline to work with. It is worth noting that these options listed above are simply the first stages of a full architectural service that we offer, so they will not double up if you decide to move ahead with the full project through to construction.

And if you are still weighing up any of the options above and can't get beyond a loose collection of ideas or a just a dream, you can book an introductory call with our Director, Glen Chamberlain, who will recommend the best way forward. The types of things he will discuss will be the site, rough budget and your personal vision and needs. See the booking button below in the footer.