A  Analysis

• Photographing the site
• Identifying existing elements to be preserved
• Developing 2D & 3D Drawings from the information given by a topographer
• Study local regulations to determine the maximum potential building size

B  Briefing 

During this stage, all of the creative and functional requirements, design aspirations and time ambitions will be defined with the client to map out parameters that will guide the design.

The brief should include:

• Outlining all functional requirements for the site/building
• Setting up a time line to establish a sequence of the milestones and time scale ambitions
• Agreeing the best method of procurement for the building works, considering the principle of public tender with at least 3 different entities

Note: As the project proceeds through its various stages, requirements may change, or may have to be changed. If/when this happens, the impact of these changes, particularly the effect on design, timings,  costs and construction, will be discussed with the client.

C  Concept Design:

The aim of this stage is to study all of the constraints and define the core values of the project to establish a unique design. The result will encompass general configuration of urban and landscape integration, functional characteristics, area subdivisions and their relationships. This is typically an intense creative period at the end of which a signed off concept design is produced that fully describes the spacial character, encapsulates the look and feel of the environment and fulfills the functional requirements. During this stage we would like to meet at least twice with the clients to review ideas and receive input.

Deliverables:

• General arrangement: Floor plans including room layouts, public spaces, back of house and storage areas
• Concept for outdoor areas
• Image collage describing general materials, and material typologies
• Strategy to expose existing architectural elements (if any)
• Service and circulation strategy
• Concept for furniture design
• Concept for graphic design
• Color perspective drawings of key areas

D Feasibility Study – PIP (Pedido de Informação prévia) – (optional)

The PIP is a separate and optional procedure that precedes the licensing of construction, reconstruction, extension, alteration, maintenance and demolition of buildings. The result is a signed document from the City hall and Historic Preservation Society, marking what changes may be made to the use of the building and it’s integration within the urban fabric.

This encompasses:

• Respective legal and regulatory constraints, particularly with regard to infrastructure, public easements, public utility easements, urban impacts, clearances and other conditions applicable to the construction works
• Volumetric, street alignment, ‘cércea’ (height of the building) and external walls
• Constraints for proper formal and functional relationship within the environment
• Programme use of the buildings, including subdivision of parcel into various uses
• Local Infrastructure
• Areas of permeability and collective road infrastructure equipment

Deliverables:

• Photos of property and facade survey
• Site Plan drawings
• Descriptive and explanatory writings
• Demolition plans
• Program and utilization plans
• Local infrastructure plans
• Accessibility and major equipment plans
• Basic architectural plans
• Elevation drawings
• Perspective renders

E  Licensing 

In this stage, a thorough set of drawings to submit to the city hall for permits will be developed, including demolition, structural, facade, roof and infrastructural changes for the architectural proposal.

Deliverables:

• Certification documents for land registry
• Zoning plans
• Municipal development plans
• Localization plans
• Written summary and justifications
• Photographs documenting existing buildings
• Demolition plans
• GA Plans at an appropriate scale
• Sections at an appropriate scale
• Detail drawings at an appropriate scale
• Elevations at an appropriate scale
• Updated perspective renders
• Accessibility documentation

F  Construction Documents

During this stage the design will be worked in considerably more detail to establish the ‘kit of parts’ that comprises the new concept. There will be adjustments to the design according to the cost estimation, material choices, equipment and ensuring that all of the components will be assembled correctly.

Deliverables:

• Updated demolition drawings
• Overall detailed general arrangement plan
• Material specifications
• Finishing specifications
• Elevations drawings (interior and exterior)
• Detailed section drawings
• Lighting design drawings
• Mechanical equipment drawings
• Typical details provided at an appropriate scale
• Updated color perspective render

G Fabrication Documents (optional)

During this stage we will be meeting with furniture fabricators to understand their process and raw material inputs that will guide our detailed drawings for efficient manufacturing.

Deliverables:

• Furniture and other custom fabrication drawings
• Packaging & installation instructions
• Graphic design drawings

H Technical Assistance

This role requires frequent visits to both manufacturing facilities and the building site to ensure that the teams are working in line with the agreed detailed drawings and intentions. Every 2-4 weeks, we will be submitting a detailed survey document to the client and team to keep everyone up to date on the construction & fabrication progress.

I Project Coordinator

We guarantee that all teams involved in the project are communicating properly, and that every issue that arises gets solved through the proper channels.

A typical team for a medium-sized project will include:

• Client
• Architect
• Structural engineer
• Mechanical engineer
• Water & drainage engineer
• Telecommunication engineer
• Fire safety engineer
• Acoustic engineer