our process

AH Architecture understands that you would like innovative, cost-effective and sustainable design solutions that will enhance how you use your home or small commercial space. AH Architecture also understands that building, renovating or retrofitting, or adding a secondary dwelling is a major investment, and your experience in these projects may be limited.

At AH Architecture we will work with you, from the very first design sketches through to construction, to build a new space that you will love.

We will work with you on your design concept. We will work with consultants (like surveyors) and produce the legal documentation required for your build. And we will support the tender process and attend construction.

We also recognise that you may only need some parts of the design process, depending on your project.

As such, we have divided the design process into stages to enhance your project’s cost-effectiveness.

stage 1: pre-design meeting

At our first meeting, we will discuss your vision for your project.

We will build an understanding of what you would like to achieve and identify technical information and the scope of work required. The more information you have for this meeting, the better.

You may like to bring design inspiration – think Pintrest boards, Instagram pages, magazine or newspaper clippings and ideas on how you currently use your site and how you would like to use it. If we are not meeting on site, please bring some photos of your existing home or commercial space. You may also be able to bring existing plans.

From this meeting, AH Architecture will produce a fee proposal which will summarise the scope of work and provide the quote and our terms and conditions. Upon your acceptance of the fee proposal, we can move onto the design process.

stage 2: concept design

The concept design stage is where the fun truly begins.

At this stage, we develop an accurate base plan of the site and identify any planning policy and building constraints and opportunities. We also take a technical design eye to your space, looking at how light and heat travels across the seasons, the environment, how you use your space, any existing buildings and any other influences.

We bring these elements together with your vision, to produce preliminary sketches for your consideration. We will meet to determine your preferred approach and move forward.

stage 3: design development

At this stage, we further develop your concept design.

Depending on your project, we produce site and floor plans, 3D images, elevation drawings and external schedules. We work on materials, finishes and colour selections.

Again, depending on the project, we may engage with consultants, like an energy efficiency assessor and a structural engineer. We can also obtain a preliminary quote to inform likely project costs.

Once you approve the final design, we will begin a development application to the relevant authorities.

stage 4: development application

The scope of your project will determine what sort of approval you need to begin work. We will provide advice on what is required.

We will prepare documentation according to the authority’s requirements for your project type. This could include site, floor, demolition, erosion and sedimentation and public register plans, elevations, sections, shadow diagrams and external finishes schedules.

We will lodge this documentation on your behalf and help progress the application process.

At this stage, we can also begin discussing the project with potential builders.

stage 5: tender process and construction documentation

Once the authority has approved the project, we develop detailed documentation to obtain approval to build from a certifier and to tender the project out to potential builders.

This scope of this stage depends the project and how you would like to tender. We could produce, if required, detailed site, roof, kitchen and bathroom plans, plans for construction, elevations, sections, window and door schedules, joinery details and/or schedule of works specifications.

We will also obtain specialist input as required.

If you are going to a full tender, we will work with you to identify a builder and confirm the contract.

stage 6: contract administration and construction attendance

During this stage, we will act as your representative on site. This is to ensure your project is built as intended. We would verify milestone delivery, at the same time as resolving issues, responding to requests for information and attending meetings periodically throughout the construction process.