Where to Start? We get asked this question a lot!
At Clarke and Whalen Architects we know how daunting a prospective building project can be if you haven’t experienced one before. We offer an initial consultation to all clients whereby we can discuss all aspects of a project.
We are proud to be an RIBA chartered practice offering a full range of professional architectural services and we’ve detailed our full service below.
Stage 1 – Preparation, Brief and Survey
It is essential to have detailed understanding of our client’s design requirements to ensure a quality end result for your architectural project. Clarke and Whalen Architects work with you to develop a brief which sets out your aims and ambitions for the project and we take those criteria to work through sketch ideas for further discussion with you. It is just as important to have an accurate record of your site or your existing building. We undertake this work ourselves for small projects, and for larger projects we manage the appointment of specialist surveyors on your behalf.Stage 2 – Concept Design
This is the ideas stage, looking at the initial design development, exploring all the feasible design options available. We undertake initial sketch design work which then progress to preparing more detailed design drawings using both 2D and 3D CAD software.Stage 3 – Planning
Concept design ideas are then developed into designs which you are happy to take forward to make a planning application. We advise on the general expectations of the local authority planning department, and we can assist with the appointment of specialist consultants such as traffic engineers and arborists if they are likely to be needed.Stage 4.1 – Technical Design/Building Regulations
Clarke and Whalen Architects have specialist technical staff who will take your designs from ideas to reality with technical drawings and specifications which will ensure that your proposals will be approved under the Building Regulations. We will work alongside your structural engineers, and other consultants to coordinate their input and liaise with Building Inspectors throughout the process.Stage 4.2 – Specification Writing and Tendering
It is important to clarify your precise requirements for your project and to present them in a form which will be understood, and therefore measurable by building companies. By this means you will know precisely what you are expecting the builders to price for and they will know what you want. Clarke and Whalen Architects will guide you through the details which are needed and produce a specification and schedule of works which describe the quality and quantities of the work required and either send these for tendering to a small group of local builders/contractors, or negotiate a contract sum with a preferred contractor. On very large or complex projects we would work alongside your quantity surveyor in seeking tenders and negotiations.Stage 5 & 6 – Construction, Contract Administration and Site Inspections
Once you have selected a contractor from the tendering process Clarke and Whalen Architects will facilitate the completion of contract documents between you, and we will act as Contract Administrators. While we will remain your architects and advisors throughout the explicit duties of a Contract Administrator are to act fairly and impartially between the parties on contractual issues. This will include periodic site inspections, site meetings, issuing instructions to the builder on your behalf, valuing works in progress and issuing payment certificates. We will certify Practical Completion, prepare a final account for the project, administer the process of making good of any defects and issue a Final Certificate.Stage 7 – In Use
The is not relevant to all projects, but the idea of this stage is to assist with the successful operation and use of a building throughout its life.Summary
Whilst the above details a full service, we understand that some clients’ need a tailored architectural service and we are happy to agree a package that suits your requirements. We generally follow the RIBA Plan of Work 2013, which is an adaptable plan, altered to suit our clients architectural requirements and brief.External Consultants
Having been in business for nearly 40 years, we have established relationships with experienced local planning consultants, structural engineers, building contractors, arborists and other consultants to ensure our projects run smoothly. If you need an introduction, we would be more than happy to assist.
It is essential to have detailed understanding of our client’s design requirements to ensure a quality end result for your architectural project. Clarke and Whalen Architects work with you to develop a brief which sets out your aims and ambitions for the project and we take those criteria to work through sketch ideas for further discussion with you.
It is just as important to have an accurate record of your site or your existing building. We undertake this work ourselves for small projects, and for larger projects we manage the appointment of specialist surveyors on your behalf.
This is the ideas stage, looking at the initial design development, exploring all the feasible design options available. We undertake initial sketch design work which then progress to preparing more detailed design drawings using both 2D and 3D CAD software.
Concept design ideas are then developed into designs which you are happy to take forward to make a planning application. We advise on the general expectations of the local authority planning department, and we can assist with the appointment of specialist consultants such as traffic engineers and arborists if they are likely to be needed.
Clarke and Whalen Architects have specialist technical staff who will take your designs from ideas to reality with technical drawings and specifications which will ensure that your proposals will be approved under the Building Regulations. We will work alongside your structural engineers, and other consultants to coordinate their input and liaise with Building Inspectors throughout the process.
It is important to clarify your precise requirements for your project and to present them in a form which will be understood, and therefore measurable by building companies. By this means you will know precisely what you are expecting the builders to price for and they will know what you want.
Clarke and Whalen Architects will guide you through the details which are needed and produce a specification and schedule of works which describe the quality and quantities of the work required and either send these for tendering to a small group of local builders/contractors, or negotiate a contract sum with a preferred contractor.
On very large or complex projects we would work alongside your quantity surveyor in seeking tenders and negotiations.
Once you have selected a contractor from the tendering process Clarke and Whalen Architects will facilitate the completion of contract documents between you, and we will act as Contract Administrators. While we will remain your architects and advisors throughout the explicit duties of a Contract Administrator are to act fairly and impartially between the parties on contractual issues.
This will include periodic site inspections, site meetings, issuing instructions to the builder on your behalf, valuing works in progress and issuing payment certificates. We will certify Practical Completion, prepare a final account for the project, administer the process of making good of any defects and issue a Final Certificate.
The is not relevant to all projects, but the idea of this stage is to assist with the successful operation and use of a building throughout its life.
Summary
Whilst the above details a full service, we understand that some clients’ need a tailored architectural service and we are happy to agree a package that suits your requirements.
We generally follow the RIBA Plan of Work 2013, which is an adaptable plan, altered to suit our clients architectural requirements and brief.
External Consultants
Having been in business for nearly 40 years, we have established relationships with experienced local planning consultants, structural engineers, building contractors, arborists and other consultants to ensure our projects run smoothly. If you need an introduction, we would be more than happy to assist.
