What services do architects provide?
Architecture is all around us. On average a person will spend 90% of their life inside buildings, so it is inevitable that the design of buildings and their surrounding environment will affect how people live. The influence of buildings can affect people's physical and mental health, social interaction, safety and security, etc. Anyone who has travelled will also know how much of people's culture is represented in their architecture.
Architects have a great responsibility to shaping our cityscapes and therefore need to be highly skilled specialists in the design of buildings. Architects undergo many years of formal study and apprenticeship before being able to register and practice as professionals and are required to further hone their craft through continuing professional development throughout their career to retain their licence to practice. Their level of training and the fact that architects design buildings for a living, makes them the most experienced people in the world when it comes to the design of buildings.
The Services that architects will offer generally falls into two categories, namely the standard architectural service and related services.
Standard Architectural Services
Rossouw Le Roux Architect’s design process is modelled to the services and conditions guidelines for best practice as outlined by SACAP (South African Council for the Architectural Profession) while also taking lessons from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) plan of works schedule. We take into consideration that clients have their own specific requirements and needs, prompting a unique approach for different projects.
These general guidelines are applied to each project and adapted to the specific needs and requirements to provide the highest level of service and project success thought a rigorous design and quality assurance process.
We take great care tailoring our service to the specific needs of a project to fulfil every aspect of clients brief effectively. Where clients require selective architectural services, we offer fee packages to meet your budget.
An Overview of the Standard Architectural Services
On a high level our Standard Architect Services aim to accomplish three underlying milestones to see the design of a building through from beginning to completion. Each milestone may include several architectural work stages in the planning and construction process.
PREPARATION AND BRIEFING
Setting out the project brief and success parameters.
PLANNING AND DESIGN
With proper planning, clients obtain an ever more predictable outcome as the design process unfolds and before committing costs toward the construction of their project. Clients obtain a great amount of control to manage project risk.
MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION
The project is constructed and delivered to the client
Architectural Project Work Stages
Stage 1: Brief Development
All about setting out the project brief and success parameters. This stage might include some basic sketch concepts as the architect explore high level ideas around the project in support of setting up the brief.
Key Milestones at the end of this stage:
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Have a much clearer idea of your brief and key performance requirements.
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Have a clear understanding of your site and land use rights.
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Have an agreed appointment with your Architect.
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Have a clear understanding of how the next stages might work and who might need to be involved.
Stage 2: Formalizing the Preferred design
The Architect will formalize a concept design for the project based on the brief that was developed during Stage 1.
Key Milestones at the end of this stage
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Have a single sketch design proposal.
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Have clarity regarding the viability of the project.
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Have a high-level understanding of the project cost.
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Have started the appointment of other consultants
Stage 3: Design Development
During this stage your architect, in consultation with the Structural and MEP Engineers, will develop the Basic Structure for your building. In other words, the concept design is refined and tested against practical and technical requirements to prevent unforeseen issues during construction.
Key Milestones at the end of this stage
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Have confirmed the complete scope and complexity of work regarding the structural system and components.
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Have had some insight from the HVAC or other specialist designers regarding provision to be made in the building structure.
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Have gained some feedback from the local authority on the design.
Before you can start construction on your project, you need to obtain planning approval and appoint a contractor to do the work. Very simply put, the more information you can provide a contractor, the less surprises are in store for you regarding the standard of work and outcome you can expect and what you will need to pay the contractor.
Key Milestones at the end of this stage
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Have a full set of documentation to submit for planning approval
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Have a full set of technical drawings/specifications which allow a builder and other specialists to cost the scheme in detail and manufacture and construct the work.
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Obtain an appointment with a builder to execute the work.
Construction by the builder and specialist subcontract works are manufactured and installed into the project according to the professional team’s specifications and design documents. During this stage the Architect and other members of the professional team will conduct regular site meetings and inspections with the construction team to assist the contractor and manage quality assurance and key performance requirements on the client’s behalf.
Key Milestones at the end of this stage
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Have a built project that meet key performance criteria and the design intent for the project.
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Have the completed project handed back to the client.
Like anything else you purchase, newly complete buildings are delivered with the applicable warrantees and a building manual.
This final stage allows us to complete the necessary initial aftercare tasks and light touch Occupancy Evaluation in order to conclude the building contract.
Key Milestones at the end of this stage
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Any latent defects are resolved.
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All Warrantees and Manuals are compiled.
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Conduct light touch performance evaluation.
Related Additional Services
DESIGN
Conceptual design
Renderings/visualisation
Interior design
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
Contractor Selection and Coordination
Site Inspections and Quality Control
Change Order Management
PROJECT PLANNING
Feasibility Studies
Master Planning
Site Analysis
Space Planning
HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND RENOVATION
Restoration Planning
Adaptive Reuse Design
Conservation Consulting
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
Permit Applications
Detailed Drawings
Specifications and Schedules
Building Code Compliance
SPECIALIZED DESIGN
Urban Design
Healthcare Facility Design
Restaurant Design
Commercial Design
Residential Design
CLIENT CONSULTANCY AND ADVISORY SERVICES
Pre-Design Consultation
Project Brief Development
Client Advocacy
Design Workshops
REGULARY AND COMPLIANCE SERVICES
Zoning Analysis
Accessibility Consulting
POST CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Post-Occupancy Evaluation
Maintenance Planning
Facility Management Consulting
For more information, please feel free to contact us.
We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your project and how we may be of service to you.