Studio ERA pays our respects to the Gundungurra people, the traditional custodians of the land on which our studio resides. We believe that it is also important to acknowledge all the First Nations people on whose land we work, the D’harawal, Gadigal, Wodi-Wodi to name a few. It is such a privilege to work in these locations and we recognise our first people’s deep spiritual connection and understanding of country. We acknowledge the Elders, past, present and emerging.
Process
We love the process of Architecture, but not everybody understands it. It can be messy at times, and it can be stressful, but that’s why we are here. We can share as much, or as little information about the process as you want.
Good architecture takes time, and skipping steps or rushing the process can make things much more complicated than it needs to be. That’s why we like to make sure that we take each step at a time so that you get the outcome that you want.
Below are a few key points about the steps in the Architectural process.
Pre-Design
This is where we make sure that we have all the information that we need to start the design process on the right foot.
Besides arranging the surveyor and going through the all the planing regulations for your property, we take the time in this phase to make sure we understand you, your brief and how you live your life as all these things play a big role in how we design. On top of this we make sure that we understand the context of the site; whether it is in the Southern Highlands or in a Sydney suburb, your site has a unique set of conditions that have an impact on the final outcome of the project.
Concept Design
During concept design we put pen to pad, or Apple pen to iPad, and begin the design process. We take all those things that we discovered in the Pre-Design phase and begin to apply it to the site.
We will usually start off with hand drawings to work through the planning of your project with you. In this stage we also provide a mood board that starts to give you an idea of what your project might feel like.
Design Development
As we move into Design Development, we take the hand drawings and start to develop a more accurate 3D model of the concept. We start to look at the form and scale of the building and test how the building relates to the site. You get a chance to see what the building looks like, and we can show you how much or little sun you get.
In this phase we will also begin engaging consultants to make sure that everyone is on the same page and to tackle any issues before they become a problem. This is an important phase for us, so we spend time making sure we get it right. Any issues we can solve in this phase will make the construction phase much smoother for you.
Development Application
In this phase we prepare the documentation for the Development Application and assist you with lodgement.
We work with a planner to prepare the Statement of Environmental Effects and all other consultants required by the council. We really want to make sure this is a smooth phase for you, so preparation is key and making sure that we have everything in place in crucial for a positive outcome.
Construction Documentation
We love this phase, as it is the most critical in bringing your home to life. This is the phase where we put together the “instruction manual” on how the building will go together.
We will work with consultants like structural and hydraulic engineers and landscape architects to go through all of the details and coordinate them into a construction package. Critical junctions, bathroom layouts, joinery details, and material selections are all finalised during construction documentation so it is a really collaborative phase where we work with you to get those decisions right.
If you selected our Interiors Services we will finalise all the finishes, fixtures and fittings and provide you with a schedule of everything that is going into the build. From this base package we extract the Construction Certificate (CC) package that will be used to get the building approval from the private certifier.
Construction Services
Once your project is on onsite, we will conduct regular site visits and have meetings with the builder to ensure that everything is going smoothly.
Stuff always comes up on site, and we will be there to answer the questions from the builder and work through any details that need revising.
Once construction is complete we will conduct a walk-through with the builder to go through all the defects to make sure that everything is finished off just as it should be, so that you can have peace of mind moving into your new home.
