Where the "hello" do we start ?
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Building a new family home or renovating your existing one can be an exciting but daunting experience. If this is your question, we are here to help you take those first steps and then guide you through the rest of the journey.
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So… what can we do for you?
Briefing
After the acceptance of our fee proposal, one of the most important stages of the process begins with the creation of a briefing document that captures your requirements and expectations of the project. Although we use a standardised Mclean document, we love to communicate through a variety of means whether it be words, images, or sketches. We adapt our communication processes to suit each individual client and project.
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Conceptual Design
Once a formal brief is completed, we develop a Design Concept for your project that gives you an understanding of our initial thoughts and ideas. Our Conceptual Design package includes an initial analysis of the existing site/ home as well as a series of scaled plans, sketches and images that captures all items identified within the brief.
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Should the project require staging due to budgetary constraints or lifestyle commitments, we will often look at a staging plan during this process to help identify the first stage of the works.
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Schematic Design
Following on from an approved concept, we begin to develop the Schematic Design stage of the project. This is where we take the conceptual ideas presented in the first stage and develop it into early-stage cad documentation in 2D & 3D form that allows our clients to view via iPhone/ iPad or desktop computer. Once the Schematic Design is completed, the documentation is used for an indicative budgetary estimate as well as for any Town Planning submissions, should it be required.
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Consultants + Assessments
Once consultant’s fee proposals are received, we will issue to our clients for review & acceptance.
Should any applications be required, the documentation produced during the schematic stage will be used to form part of the application.
We do not engage consultants directly, but we undertake a review of all consultant documentation and invoicing prior to payment or submissions being made.
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Design Development
This is where the fun really begins!
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The Design Development stage takes the Schematic Design documentation and begins to develop areas & spaces that require a higher level of design. This could be stairs, external landscape elements, terraces, or interior spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and sitting areas.
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It is during this stage, that we ask the difficult questions such as how you live, use current spaces, what works, what doesn’t & how we can improve your life with the works proposed.
This is also where we start ‘our box of joy’. A sample box of things we like, usually tiles, wall claddings, fabrics, paint swatches, etc which we use as a reference for all of us to contribute to. Over time, the box is reviewed (& emptied) to determine if it still relevant to our ideas until we begin construction where it lives onsite for the length of the construction.
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Documentation
Our documentation package is broken into two stages, the first is the documentation required to achieve building approval (site, floor plans, elevations, sections & windows/ doors). The information in this package, includes that of our consultants, making up the Building Application package.
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The second stage forms the construction documentation package which includes construction details, cabinetry details, large scale sections and any other unique details.
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In addition to the construction drawings, the construction documentation package also includes project specifications and a series of schedules ranging from finishes & fittings to appliances as part of the completed documentation set.
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Tendering + Pricing
Traditionally architects used a competitive tendering process to achieve the best price for their clients. Although competitive tendering can still work, we have found that the current building environment doesn’t necessarily enable a successful tendering outcome.
Over time, we have discovered that our most successful outcomes occur when we use a building contractor early in the process to develop an understanding of the proposed works, identify areas where savings can be made, minimise delays and develop a good team relationship before any works are undertaken.
We have aligned ourselves with several experienced building contractors of varying scale & skill. Although it is not a competitive process, it allows us to work with both our builders and clients to develop a design outcome that works within a budget and time frame.
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Contract Administration
At Mclean, we consider Contract Administration the stage that can make or break a project. It’s often the one where clients choose to undertake themselves to save money, but for us at Mclean, it is possibly the most important indicator as to the success of a project. Construction is complicated, contracts can be difficult, and money makes the process even more stressful.
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To help alleviate the stress, Mclean provides Contract Administration services that reviews the construction in line with our documentation. This includes attending site meetings with client & builder, responding to construction queries, reviewing shop drawings, assessing monthly progress payments & project variations, reviewing building quality, undertaking final defects inspections prior to handover, and returning to the project at the end of the defects liability period to determine that there are no ongoing concerns.
Enjoy Your New Home
We look forward to dropping by and having a coffee once you have moved in......
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