Sketches allow us to visualise and explore quickly. Sketching underpins everything we do from the beginning to the completion of a project. We use sketches to communicate with clients but they also allow us to explore ideas ourselves. At the earliest stage of the project they facilitate discussion and allow us to communicate complex ideas quickly and accurately. They allow us to follow a line of thought and prompt new directions. They are quick, flexible and incredibly powerful, whether we’re looking at site layouts, plans, materials or detailed components. We’ve always got a pen and tracing paper to hand but 3D computer software allows us to quickly turn 2D sketches into 3D visualisations, allowing both ourselves and our clients to fully understand spaces.

Written and illustrated reports are used to communicate proposals and record decisions throughout the life of a project. Feasibility reports investigate the basic parameters of development including planning policy, site constraints, the suitability of existing buildings to support change and first ideas for project strategy. They would typically include basic advice on cost and the necessity to involve other professionals, depending on the scale of the project. Feasibility reports are a low cost way to ensure that a project has the best possible start and that all parties are aware of the potential, limitations and consequences of their plans. Additional reports are produced to satisfy the detailed requirements of planning authorities, record key milestones and ensure communication is complete.

Scale drawings grow from sketches and transform ideas into a blueprint for reality. They ensure components work together, that everything fits and they allow us to collaborate with other professionals on your behalf. Ultimately the scale drawings are used by builders but they are essential in securing planning permission and building regulation approval and when employing others that may be required to deliver projects. Our computer software provides precision and flexibility, allowing us to produce, co-ordinate and share information efficiently and effectively.

Every component in our buildings can be specified to make sure it’s in the right place, does the right job and performs properly. Materials and construction methods are laid down, together with relevant regulations and standards that must be met. Specifications are written and either attached to drawings for smaller projects or produced as separate documents for larger buildings. They form the basis of project costings, building regulation approvals and are used to govern operations on site.

Setting up and managing building contracts on behalf of our clients allows us to control operations on site and provides legal protection to all parties. Using one of a number of standard building contracts, carefully selected to suit the nature of each project, we ensure that obligations exist to govern accurate payment, timely delivery of services, quality and accuracy of construction and appropriate control of risk.