Process

Entering on the process of designing and then constructing a building can appear to be daunting, even intimidating.

It is also an Adventure. Adventures should be fun, exhilarating and leave behind great memories. There will be challenges: Balancing aspirations with budgets, resolving contradicting requirements in the brief. But as with all adventures careful planning and preparation will make it a lot easier. Our job is to help our clients have a successful adventure.

Slee & Co has drawn on personal experience from all sides of the construction industry and a wide variety of projects to develop a strategy to do this:

A.	Introductions and initial discussions Every project is different so we will discuss the aspirations and objectives of your project and how this overall approach will be tailored to your own needs.
B.	Concept Development This is the first and perhaps the most important stage of the design process. We will explore the different ways in which we can resolve the questions you are asking. We will consider your project holistically and discuss the different strategic approaches to the problems your brief is attempting to resolve. We will use diagrams, plans and models. By the end of this stage we will have basic scaled drawings of plans and sections of the proposed building.
C.	Design Development This stage will involve a number of meetings and is when we really start to develop the ideas we have discussed so far. We will develop a detailed understanding of the layout, structure, construction and important materials (timber/stone etc.) making use of physical models, perspective drawings and scaled plans and sections. We will involve other consultants (engineers, quantity surveyor etc.) and the council as appropriate. We may also consider whether or not it is appropriate to discuss our ideas with a builder so that we have a better idea about cost and a timetable for construction. At the end of this stage a strong project team should have been established.
D.	Final Proposals and DA submission We will work with other consultants to make sure all the necessary documents are produced and submitted for D.A approval.
E.	Detailed construction information, tender information and tendering There are a number of different ways you can arrange for your project to be built. We will discuss them with you and work with the project team to develop detailed drawings, specifications and schedules to allow a builder to confirm a price for your project.
F.	Construction certificate This is the stage where we get ready to build the house. We will prepare the documents council requires to issue a certificate so construction can start.
G.	Site attendance It is generally helpful to you and the builder to have some assistance and explanations from the designers while the project is being built.