What Architects do:

'Architects have the qualifications, professional training, vision and experience to manage the entire architectural design and construction process. A minimum of five years of university training separates architects from other, less qualified building designers. More than a designer, an architect works with clients on an intensive exploration of their requirements. An architect will help you set a viable and realistic budget, guide you through the town planning process, obtain competitive quotes for the work, manage consultants like surveyors and engineers, monitor the budget and administer the construction contract. Critically, your architect will inspect the work right through the construction period to ensure you get the quality and level of finishes you require.' Quote taken from Australian Institute of Architects website.

1. Schematic Design

This stage can begin with a Sketch Plan stage, which provides an initial concept design based on your brief, at a fixed fee, to allow you to establish the extent of the work, and to choose whether you wish to proceed further. The continuation of schematic design includes establishing and confirming the brief, confirmation of existing conditions, concept design drawings, discussions of building cost guides. A builder or quantity surveyor may be consulted at this stage, to discuss ball-park figures and efficient building methods. A concept design is presented at the conclusion of this stage with plans, elevations, perspective, colours, and budget figures.

2. Design Development

This stage goes through detailed design issues, including detailed layouts, power and lighting, services, materials, finishes. Liaising with consultants, eg structural engineer, to incorporate structural and services requirements, further refinement of cost estimates. If soil testing is required, this is arranged during the design stage. If Town Planning is required, it is applied for at this stage. A detailed design is presented, including plans, elevations, sections, perspective, colours, finishes and fittings suggestions.

3. Contract Documentation

The documentation includes all detailed design work necessary to apply for Building permit, and for builders to accurately price from, including dimensioning, scheduling doors, windows, fittings, building details – roof/wall, wall/floor, internal elevations showing all fittings. Co-ordination with consultants to produce documents that match the architectural documents, written specification for all elements of the building, including pre-tender information. A final set of drawings and specification is presented at the completion of this stage. Tendering of the project and application for Building Permit are then made.

3. Contract Administration

During the building process, the architect administers the contract by holding regular site meetings with the builder and client, ensuring the project is being built to the tendered documents. Any design issues or unforeseen problems are dealt with as they arise. The architect corresponds regularly with the owner, to report progress, and agree any changes that are required. Builder’s progress claims are submitted to the architect, who checks that the work claimed has been satisfactorily completed. Instructions may be issued for any changes in the work, and variations are followed through, with the builder and proprietor. Practical Completion certificate is issued when the building is complete, and a period of Defects Liability occurs, after construction completion, to ensure any problems arising are rectified.