DESIGN SERVICES & PROCESS
Click on the icons/ text or scroll through to learn more about the parts the design process and how we work with clients.
01
Developing a design brief
Every project is unique and Range Studio aims to respond to a client’s needs with a design service that is tailored to their requirements. Our architecture and interior projects currently span a portfolio of internal domestic alterations, residential alterations, conversions and extensions, new build houses, change of use projects, speculative developments and commercial new-build projects and our other experience covers an even wider array of project scale and type. The design process of every project starts with listening to the client’s needs and requirements and gathering information about the location and context and it is from that point onwards that we will develop a bespoke response and sequence of activities. That can even involve understanding where you want to practice yoga, shower and leave your surf board after a trip to the beach or how to cater for comfort and requirements of kids, animals and treasured vehicles!.
02
Experiencing the site & context
Whether we're sat at a kitchen table or stood in a farm steading, we like to take the time to discuss and absorb your brief and context. We're also happy to put on our wellies and trudge through muddy fields and windswept hills in the pouring rain to properly see and experience your sites. We can even assist setting out markers to test the scale of your new home and internal rooms on a site. It is always good to see a site from many perspectives and in the varied seasons. We know the British climate is variable and buildings need to respond to that and look good in a snowy or rainy scene as well as sunshine!. Our design proposals and illustrative graphics will also aim to suit and reflect the actual setting without being overly optimistic.
03
Responding to history & stories
Everyone loves an intriguing story – whether it is a fictional book, newspaper article or TV/ film based medium. We love to discover and respond to unique histories of properties and even the people that have lived in them (see/follow our Instagram feed for more about the stories in the images). While the past can dictate certain statutory and technical constraints to a project, the current and future uses are our priority, and we love to interpret challenges into interesting design features. We also recognise that buildings need to be designed to accommodate future use and adaptability is something that we highly regard.
04
Testing ideas
Initial hand drawn feasibility studies help quickly explore ideas and this can be an interactive and more personally involved process that some clients enjoy participating in. Other projects are best explored using more accurate two-dimensional computer-generated plans, sections and elevations or in a three-dimensional manner from an early stage. We use a variety of different computer software tools to prepare drawings and images that test internal spaces and external appearance and examine the sustainability (thermal performance and carbon consumption) and environmental implications (such as sunlight and shadow) implications of design options.
05
Submitting applications
We have submitted numerous applications and know that an important part of the process is to maintain a good flow of communication with the relevant planning and building control departments. Whether you decide to undertake pre-application consultation or submit a planning application straight-away, we will ensure that we stay in close contact with the local authority departments to monitor the progress and quickly respond to queries and requests for adjustments.
06
Establishing timescales
There are various factors that influence the timescales of a project, with the first being the client’s preference for a project programme. Some clients look to move forward very quickly with the intention of obtaining consents and starting construction, others like to take their time and carefully consider what they like/ dislike and need from a project. We’re happy to work at your preferred pace and would endeavour to progress as fast as statutory processes permit if you want to move forward quickly. It is worth noting that as a minimum, before embarking a construction process, the following statutory timescales are required in addition to the design process:
Planning timescales
(after submission of an application):
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Scotland
The planning authority have up to 4 months to determine applications for planning permission for national developments and major developments and up to 2 months to determine applications for planning permission for local developments.
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England
In most cases, planning applications are decided within 8 weeks. In England, for unusually large or complex applications the time limit is 13 weeks. If the decision takes longer, you can appeal.
Building Control/ Standards application timescales:
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Scotland
Your local council will assess your application - this can take around 20 working days. At this stage, your local council's Building Standards department will decide whether it meets Scottish Building Standards or not. If not, it will ask you for more information. Works cannot commence without a Building Warrant in place.
England
The process differs slightly in England and there are some options including the following:
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Full plans
This is the most thorough option. You can expect a decision within 5 weeks, or 2 months with your consent. You’ll get a completion certificate within 8 weeks of completion of the building work as long as it complies.
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Building notice
This type of application is only for smaller projects. You can start work 2 days after your notice has been submitted to your BCB. You do not get formal approval like you do with full plans.
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For more information we would suggest that you refer to government guidance that is available on your local council website under the 'planning' category.
07
Our fees
While we can't provide a list of standard fees on this website, we can provide an overview of the factors that influence our fees and these include the following aspects of a project:
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Project scale & cost:
Generally speaking, the larger the scale and cost of a project, the greater amount of complexity and architect fees are involved. However, this is not always the case and can be dependent on the next item.
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Project type:
A new build project can actually be more straight-forward to design than more modest alterations and extensions to existing buildings, where detailed interfaces and junctions need to be considered. Listed buildings and projects in conservation areas can also be particularly challenging to agree with planning departments and other statutory authorities and we need to factor in more extensive illustration work to explain designs as well as a greater amount of post-submission engagement with the planning department on those projects.
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How many design options:
We like to provide an array of design options early in the design process and follow up with more opportunity for refinement in the various steps in the process. We test the ideas in 3d views to check you are happy with the appearance and scale of internal spaces and external elevations. If you would prefer a lower cost, simplified approach, with fewer options we can discuss and refine a more conservative approach and fee to meet your budget.
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Which step in the process:
We work in accordance with the RIBA Plan of Work and this enables architectural work and fees to be split into various typical stages that both client and architect agree on in an initial appointment. Invoices are typically on a monthly basis or can be at the end of work stages. The earlier stages in the design process involve a greater extent of client involvement and changes to the design. We are generous with our time and are happy to visit/ host you and take the time to listen to your ideas and concerns. The later stages involve more detailed design of construction interfaces and review against Building Regulations/ Standards as well as preparation of lengthy specifications and schedules of work. The pie chart opposite provides an overview of the typical split between the RIBA design stage fees.
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Extent of involvement:
The pie chart demonstrates a typical proportional fee split for projects and there is no obligation/ commitment to employ us for all of these stages. Our fee proposals are divided into stages as opposed to a single lump sum and this enables flexibility for a client to stop and start projects and even take on a larger extent of project management during the later, construction stages of a project.
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What level/ standard of specification:
The more elaborate the design and specification, the more challenging and time consuming the architectural input is. For example we often need to spend time liaising with specialist solar/ glazing companies to understand their technical requirements for your projects. Other activities such as designing and drawing details for bespoke joinery features (such as staircases) will involve more extensive architectural input that off-the-shelf components.
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Project location:
We are happy to take on remote projects in far flung places and provide a list of mileage/ travel expense charges to cover this aspect within our initial fee proposals.
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Qualifications:
We employ assistants with architecture degrees and Kathleen is a qualified, ARB, RIBA and RIAS registered architect. These professional qualifications/ certifications and have involved years of training and previous experience. Other designers/ draughtspeople may offer a lower cost service, but by appointing Range Studio you will be investing in certified services.
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08
Sustainability
We have worked on various sustainable projects for public and private clients who have either personal or strategic business related ambitions to optimise the environmental performance of their buildings. These projects have included the demolition and re-use of salvaged stone material on a new building in an existing farm steading setting and a highly ambitious University project for a potentially Net Zero Carbon project that followed the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide and aimed to meet RIBA 2025 sustainability targets.
We are familiar with working with other consultants to co-ordinate our architectural proposals with low carbon technologies and have worked on several projects that incorporate Passivhaus levels of thermal and airtightness performance as well as renewable heat pumps, solar shading and collecting features and heat recovery systems. We have also been involved in developing specifications that minimise the use of embodied carbon in the overall building composition. We are happy to work with you to evolve and incorporate an appropriate environmental strategy that suits your project. We also encourage consideration of interior materials and features that are either natural, recycled, salvaged or sustainably sourced and you can find out more about some of our experience with these in Range Studio's Blog Posts.
