Process
AR Design Studio’s design philosophy sets out to create spaces that challenge and excite our clients about where they live. Our work engages a deep understanding of context, whether it be urban, countryside, or waterfront. Specialising in the delivery of elegant and imaginative contemporary architectural solutions, the studio chooses to take inspiration from the client and the site rather than following a prescriptive style of architecture.
With a comprehensive knowledge of planning, building regulations and construction, AR has built a stunning portfolio of completed projects. AR’s process for delivering award-winning projects begins with the RIBA Work Stages. Working from concept design through to construction, AR collaborates with experienced consultants, suppliers and our clients to bring the design intent to life. AR’s 20+ years of experience has followed this tried and tested process to deliver high caliber bespoke contemporary projects for our clients.
Feasibility
The team works at a range of scales, including extensions, new build homes, and commercial multi-plot developments. The process begins with an initial client meeting, site visit and brief to reflect a client’s specific requirements. In some cases, a client is not sure of their brief or how much it could cost. A feasibility study can help refine your brief before committing to the next stages.
Concept Design
We are a design-led studio and use this time to explore a concept that evolves from the site and our client’s brief. If a client has strong visual cues we may request a scrapbook of images from clients to ensure we are really bringing the vision to life. With this, we head to the drawing board.
This is stage is concluded with a presentation, in which site analysis, hand sketches, precedents and floor plans are used to illustrate the proposal. Clients are given the presentation to take away and digest. We cannot highlight the importance of client engagement enough at this time! Making time to digest the design and provide feedback at this early stage will minimise changes in the future. Once feedback is received, we then move on to the Planning stage and involve consultants where required.
3D Visualisation
Visualising drawings in 3D is not always easy. To help understand and experience the design we can offer various types of 3D visualisation. We can develop sketch drawings which help to visualise an early design concept, or develop computer generated 3D visualisations to really bring projects to life. These can also be very helpful for planning applications. Read more about this process here.
Planning
We have a high success rate with obtaining planning permission, and have experience in both urban and sensitive rural sites including AONBs, SSSIs and Green Belts. AR Design Studio closely manages applications as they progress to ensure a successful outcome.
We also specialise in obtaining planning via Paragraph 84 applications (formerly Paragraph 80, Paragraph 79 and Paragraph 55). This planning policy specifically allows for new isolated homes to be built in the countryside. This seeks to promote “exceptional quality” homes with “outstanding” design quality, something which we strive for in all projects regardless of site.
Sustainability
We are forward-thinkers, designing with sustainability and longevity in mind. This is embraced from the outset of the design process through form, location and orientation. Heat, ventilation and natural light are capitalised on where possible and fortified with a fabric first, airtight approach through Technical Design. We also work with specialist consultants to handle renewable technology subject to the client brief.
Technical Design
This stage goes into the detail required to produce tender package. Every material is carefully selected, both internally and externally and added to the specification document. The drawings look to coordinate specialist items such as structure, mechanical & electrical and landscape, but also go down to the fine details of the location of every light switch, tap and door handle.
Decisions are made collaboratively with you, through shopping days to choose kitchen, flooring, bathroom fittings etc. Careful and detailed planning ensures that everything is exactly where and how you want it resulting in no costly changes or additions during the build process.
This process allows you to get a fixed price from a contractor with zero wiggle room.
Construction
AR act as Contract Administrator on most projects, managing cost, quality and time for our clients. We work directly with contractors to bring the initial sketches to life and ensure construction follows the detailed drawing package.
Interior Design
We consider the building as a whole. To maintain a clear and cohesive concept running through the whole project, the exterior and interior should be considered as one. Fixed items (lights, sanitary ware, ironmongery) are all wrapped up within the tender package. This leaves soft furnishings and finishing touches, which we can cover separately at any time throughout the process. We can visit showrooms with you, source items, and design specific pieces and joinery to complete your space.
Landscape Design
The relationship between the inside and outside spaces is key to a contemporary home. For these to work together harmoniously, AR can carry out hard landscaping design at both concept design and technical stages throughout a site. We also work closely with several landscape designers on soft landscaping to provide planting plans and specifications to embed a building within its context and enhance a site’s biodiversity.
Graphic Design
We have undertaken a number of graphic design appointments at different scales, from house signs that draw from the initial concept to composing marketing packages and branding for stakeholders in multiplot developments.
“A Hampshire-based practice with a disciplined and uncompromisingly Modernist take on new-build country housing.“
The Modern House
“We left AR design’s offices not only having engaged them, with the house design we wanted, but also clear that the execution of the house vision would rest firmly in the hands of the building contractor we would use. Our house design would be seen as ‘architecturally important’ as well as being highly focused on being Eco-sustainable and future proofed. My wife and I still pinch ourselves when we walk back down our drive after a walk, and look down at the house… that’s ours!”
Woodland House
“Couldn’t be happier with our AR designed house. They listened and took a careful brief, they thoroughly assessed the site and thought about how to take best advantage of the location and they came up with a design which looked exciting on paper and is now a dream to live in. They also took full responsibility throughout the build for ensuring the contractors had all the necessary information they needed and for monitoring the quality of the finishes. Thank you Andy and team.”
Ferry House
“Thank you for all you did in making our project an outstanding and innovative house, maximising the use of the plot and sea views. The project delivered at every stage of the process, turning our aspirations into a reality!"
Jurrasic House
“We thoroughly enjoyed working with AR Design, it has been a great experience, the completed project has exceeded our expectations and improved our home immeasurably, the quality of the design and the attention to detail throughout have been exceptional, thank you!”
Farmers House