The ROCK Architecture Studio Way of Doing Things

We will arrange to meet you and any stakeholders at your site. This is a chance for us to familiarise ourselves with the site, building (if there is one) and context. It is also a chance for us to get to know you and vice versa. Ideally you will show us around the property and we can discuss your aspirations. We will need to know what it is you want to do, how much you have to spend and when you want it done. We will offer some limited advice while on site but Architects sell their time and design expertise, therefore we won’t be providing any sketches or fully worked out solutions at this point. Following the meeting we will write to you summarising our discussions and to set out the fee proposal.

If you are very sure about what you want then this stage can be merged with Stage 3. However, usually, for the feasibility stage we would:

• Organise the measured building survey (survey cost not included)
• Organise a phase one ecology survey, if required (survey cost not included)
• Undertake a site analysis
• Sketch proposals (usually 2 or 3 Options depending on the project)
• 1no. face to face meeting
• Following the meeting we would produce a final sketch that takes on board your comments.
• A basic digital 3D model showing the site contours and massing of the proposed intervention (no detail at this stage)
• Submit a pre-app application, where appropriate.
• Provide some indicative advice on costs – however, we are not a Quantity Surveyors so if costs are critical we can discuss the appointment of a QS at this stage.

Not all projects require planning but the vast majority of projects that we get involved with do. In this stage we would do some or all of the following depending on what is required:

• Liaise with the client to ensure the right design
• Produce a set of planning drawings which may include:
• Site location Plan
• Existing Site Plan
• Proposed Site Plan
• Existing Floor Plans (where necessary)
• Proposed Floor Plans
• Existing Elevations (where necessary)
• Proposed Elevations
• Street Scene
• Detailed 3D Views of the proposal
• Further details maybe required, particularly for listed buildings or projects within a conservation area.
• Produce a planning statement or design and access statement
• Visual impact assessment
• Biodiversity checklist
• Complete and submit planning application form (planning fee payable by the client directly)
• Liaise with other consultants as necessary

Nearly all building interventions require building control approval even if planning approval was not required. The level of detail will vary depending on the project but the package may include:

• Liaising with Building Control including obtaining a fee (Building Control fee payable by the client directly)
• Liaising with specialists including structural engineer, SAP calcs assessor
• Producing Construction notes
• Building regulations drawing package may include: 
• Site Plan (scale 1:500 or 1:200), 
• GA Elevations (1:100), 
• Detailed Floor Plans (1:50), 
• Detailed Elevations (1:50), 
• General Sections (1:20), 
• Key Detailed Sections (1:5), 
• Window Schedule and Door Schedule
• Schedule of works
• U-Value Calculations

The more information you give to a builder/s the more accurate their price can be and the less they need to account for risk. Therefore, the more of the following you include the better, particularly when looking to go out for competitive tenders.

• Construction/Tender Drawings (in addition to those in stage 4): 
• External Works Plan (scale 1:100 or 1:200), 
• External work details (walls, gates etc) (1:5), 
• Further Detailed Sections (1:5, 1:2 or 1:1), 
• Stair Details (1:10 and 1:2), 
• Balcony Details (1:10 and 1:2), 
• Window Details (1:10 and 1:2), 
• Door Details (1:10 and 1:2), 
• Bespoke joinery details (1:10 and 1:2), 
• Rooflight Details (1:10 and 1:2), 
• Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) drawings (1:50)
• Detailed Specification
• Ironmongery Schedule
• Sanitaryware Schedule
• Lighting and small power Schedule

We nearly always do this on an hourly rate basis, charging only for the time spent on the project but if we are acting as Contract Administrator we would expect to:

• Chair regular (usually monthly) contract meetings
• Visit site regularly to inspect the works, take and issue site notes when required
• Produce any necessary drawings and information as required
• Issue all notices required by the contract
• Communicate with contractor and client

This is it, you are in your dream home!

We tend to give you 12 months to test out your completed project and then come and do a defects inspection. This is your chance to let us know any issues with the building, services or finishes. If the builder needs to rectify anything this is when they will come and sort it out. Again we will usually do this on an hourly rate basis and will:

• Carry out defects inspection and issue report
• Issue final certificate
• Communicate with contractor and client