1. Predesign

After an initial meeting (on site or in our office) to discuss your brief, the designer will gather key information such as the certificate of title, drainage plans, zoning and town planning information. At this stage we usually obtain the property file from council to review the available existing information. The designer may also need to have your site surveyed on your behalf to accurately define contours, boundaries, services, and existing planting. A geotechnical report is often commissioned to help identify any site-specific issues regarding land stability, bearing capacity and water courses. We will also carry out a site measure to record and/or confirm the location and layout of the existing building(s). Based on the above information, we will then prepare an “as built” set of drawings which captures the existing building and site conditions.

2. Concept Design

When the project’s parameters are established, the designer will develop bulk and location options to help form the building’s overall shape. This will be influenced by the site, scope, budget, and your individual requirements. This process helps us to identify any constraints and opportunities relevant to your project and whether a Resource Consent many be required. Concept design is essentially a range of solutions to the brief. They may be developed through drawings, floor plan and perspective sketches, or computer renderings or physical models.

During concept development, the designer will investigate several options. It is not unusual to receive a few alternative ideas for your project, as your designer will be thinking about broad issues, looking for advantages of site, setting and ways to design more efficiently. These alternatives may challenge your thinking but be open-minded and communicate clearly about what you do and don’t like. It is always helpful to revisit your brief to assess whether any concept meets your stated objectives.

3. Resource Consent

You will need a resource consent when you’re planning an activity that might have an impact on the environment and that isn’t allowed as of right under the district or regional plan. This can include activities such as building a new structure, changing the use of a property, or building in a coastal or heritage zone.

Resource consents are required to ensure that development and land use activities are carried out in a sustainable and responsible manner, to protect the environment and the community’s health, safety, and well-being. Additionally, resource consents are also required to control and mitigate the adverse effects of these activities on the environment and affected neighbours.

By obtaining a resource consent, you are demonstrating that you have considered the potential effects of your proposed activity on the environment and the community, and that you have made efforts to minimise those effects.

4. Developed Design

When a concept is agreed upon, your designer will test the ideas, refine the details, and shape the final design. Developed design is a key phase – it’s your last opportunity to refine the overall nature of the project before construction documentation commences. If you have additional requirements now is the time to table them. Your budget will come into play during developed design, and you may choose to engage a quantity surveyor to provide a preliminary cost estimate. If you have a nominated or preferred builder, they may also be able to advise on this. While it is difficult to predict the final cost of a building, your designer and the external specialists they collaborate with are trained to identify potential costs and will form an estimate based on that knowledge. During this stage we work closely with the other consultants to ensure that all the information is coordinated and meets the building code.

5. Construction Documentation

Once resource consent and/or the developed design is approved, your project will progress to the detailed design phase. This means your designer will advance your design to the level of detail that allows a construction contractor to assess the full scope of the project. This will include construction details, materials, components, systems and finishes. These documents, accompanied by the other specialist consultant’s reports, form the working drawings. This package is then submitted to the local territorial authority who will assess compliance with the building code and grant a building consent.

Because your designer is at the heart of your building project, they are best positioned to understand the relevant codes and standards and articulate to the Building Consent Authority the particulars of your project. Your designer will have an in-depth understanding of the current state of the construction industry and can be an invaluable guide in choosing a quality builder and other contractors to execute your design.

Council Processing

During the Building Consent processing, there are often queries relating to aspects of the design or documentation. We will coordinate with the other consultants to provide comprehensive responses and liaise with the processing officer to address any issues.