Design Enhancing Life in just 4 Steps

…we provide all you need to design and document your unique residential or commercial architecture project. The first step is our Architectural Advice to ensure that your project is built to your exact specification. Visit the Residential Architecture and Commercial Architecture services pages.

Throughout the design process, you have the choice to be involved as much or as little as you want. At the start of each step we consult you to align with your needs. At the completion of each stage we ask you to review the design and provide feedback. This communication process continues until your project is complete.

1. Architectural Advice Service

  • 1a Verbal Advice, Lifestyle Assessment or Pre-Purchase Advice Consultation (Depending on your needs)
  • 1b Feasibility Analysis Space Allocation + Association

2. Architect’s Design

  • 2a Measure Drawings (If renovating)
  • 2b Sketch Design (The Concept)
  • 2c Concept Revisions & Design Development
  • 2d Optional Project Report & Opinion of Cost
  • 2e Development Application Drawings (If applicable)

3. Architectural Documentation

  • 3a Additional Design Development Revisions and Building Application Drawings
  • 3b Extent of Works + Independent Estimate
  • 3c Construction Drawings + Spec
  • 3d Coordination of all Consultants
  • 3e Interior Design/Architecture
  • 3f External works/Hardscape (Landscape) design
  • 3g Leesa Seminara – Garden Design (Plant Selection + Layout)

4. Architectural Building Contract Management

  • 4a Source Builders Tenders + Negotiating
  • 4b Contract Administration of the Builder

Step 1: Architectural Advice Service

The first step in the process is to undertake one of our advice consultation services. There are 3 different consultations available depending on your individual goals. Our Lifestyle Consultation looks at your current and future lifestyle needs, offers design solutions and includes an initial budget, capitalisation and overall project viability assessment. Perfect if you’re looking to live in your home long term.

Our Verbal Advice Consultation is ideal for people wanting to live in their home for shorter terms (3 – 7 years). This consultation focuses more on your immediate short term needs and includes an initial assessment of your budget, capitalisation and overall project viability to ensure that your goals are achievable.

Our third verbal consultation is our Pre-purchase Verbal Design Advice which explores the potential of any property that you are considering purchasing in relation to your liveability goals to ensure that the property truly meets your needs.

Step 2: Architectural Design Service

Now it’s time to move onto the design phase of your project. If renovating we will first need to get measured drawings done of your home and will organise a surveyor to supply spot levels and contours.

Next you’ll receive a detailed written summary of requirements, potentially including a room data schedule, to ensure we are all in agreement on the fine details of your project. Once this is signed off we will create your sketch design in floor plan/s concept format. This design work is hand drawn. Options here include designs for external works and/or a preliminary opinion of costs.

The Design Development phase includes revisions to our sketch design concept drawings, development of more detailed floor plans, section drawing (for sloping sites) and 3D visuals. Options here include developed external works design and project report including a detailed opinion of cost.

If your project requires townplanning approval, development application drawings will now be prepared. We will also coordinate with an external townplanning consultant to prepare a development application report.

Step 3: Architectural Documentation

We now produce detailed building application drawings that are ready to submit for approval. We can also organize a detailed, independent estimate of costs from an external cost estimator, at the completion of this stage.

Next we create detailed construction drawings and specific cations for your builder and coordinate all of your consultants and submit your paperwork for approval to save you time and effort.

Then comes the interior elements of your home, such as colour schemes, flooring, fittings and fixtures. Storage needs are considered, including the complete design of your kitchen, bathrooms, ensuites, laundries, media rooms, entertainment units, studies, robes and/or wine cellars. We can also arrange for our preferred interior decorating firms to contact you if required.

If external works form part of your project our designs will also include landscape features such as gatehouses, swimming pool design, fencing and zoning. If you would like assistance with plant selection we can arrange for Leesa Seminara Garden Design to assist with your garden needs.

Step 4: Architectural Building Contract Management

This step in our process is designed to reduce the stress of managing your building project, and ensure you’re getting the best value for your investment.

We start by sourcing a number of suitably qualified builders to tender on your project. We then present these tenders to you and negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible price and completion time. We do not receive any kickbacks or payments from builders. Our goal is to simply get you the best possible deal, without sacrificing quality. We then personally oversee all work through regular on-site inspections. If any challenges arise, we will immediately relay this back to you, in plain English, and then deal with the issue on your behalf.

Through taking on the position of project administrator/manager overseeing your builder, we can guarantee that your renovations or new home will achieve your desired outcome.

We look forward to working with you on your upcoming project.