OUR PROCESS

Design that works for you.

Ben Reed Architects follow a meticulous design process to ensure your brief is not only understood, but is researched, tested, interrogated and developed. Our process broadly follows the standard RIBA work stages, but has been amplified to ensure we deliver real value in every sense to your project. We focus not just on design, but on how each decision during each work stage will impact your budget, programme and quality of the finished building ensuring a smoother execution and no costly revisions later on.

Our process can be summarised as follows:

FEASIBILITY

Initial discussion to understand your goals, preferences, and vision
Define the project brief, spatial requirements and desired outcome
Site visit to explore possibilities and constraints
Collate project and site information and surveys
Early design assessment to determine opportunities and design strategies
Set project direction and review client priorities (cost, quality, timeline and risks)
Sustainability ambitions and appraisal

CONCEPT DESIGN

Develop initial ideas and client briefing requirements into a clear design concept
Collaborative design process with ongoing client input
Explore and compare alternative design options and opportunities
Use visual tools (sketches, 3D visualisations, mood boards) and collate ideas from other similar projects
Define spatial quality, look, and feel of the project
Begin strategies for structure, construction, and legislative requirements
Review against cost and time requirements
Assess project risks and ways to mitigate them

PLANNING

Refine and coordinate the full design and respond to any feedback received
Integrate input from other design and surveying consultants
Align technical solutions with the design intent
Define project scope, context, and planning approach
Prepare and submit documents for planning approval and liaise with the local authority

TECHNICAL DESIGN

Review planning consent and planning conditions and develop the planning consented design
Finalise detailed technical design and specifications
Collaborate with consultants, suppliers, and specialists
Confirm materials, finishes, and construction details
Review again cost and time requirements
Prepare full documentation for contractor pricing
Minimise risks of errors and cost overruns
Manage tender process and advise on the selection of a building contractor

CONSTRUCTION

Advise on pre-construction and site set up requirements
The Building Contractor takes control of the site and begins building
Regular site visits to monitor quality, compliance and progress
Respond to contractor queries and coordinate further information if required

DELIVERY

Provide any marketing and sales information that may be required
Carry out a final site review on completion of the works and identify any defects
Ensure that all final handover information is issued to ensure the client understands all operations in the property.
Assess any residual risks associated with the project
Ongoing client support and feedback gathering
Assess building performance in real use
Use insights to inform future projects
Ensure you, the client are happy!!

PRINCIPLE DESIGNER

We can act as Principle Designer if you require.