Services we provide
As a Chartered Architectural Practice, we strive to provide high quality service from concept to the final stage of any project. The range of Architectural expertise in the practice adds to the value and can ease the clients experience throughout the process
Feasability Studies
Feasibility Assessment
We assess sites and buildings to determine the practicality and viability of proposed developments. Our feasibility reports provide clear, informed guidance to help clients understand whether a project is achievable and worth progressing.
Our assessment typically considers:
Technical Feasibility – Evaluating the proposal in relation to available technology, construction methods, and site conditions.
Economic Feasibility – Reviewing projected costs against the potential value and overall financial viability of the project.
Operational Feasibility – Assessing compliance with planning policies, Building Control requirements, and relevant regulations.
Time Feasibility – Reviewing the proposed programme to determine whether the project can realistically be delivered within the desired timeframe, while identifying key risks and opportunities.
Building Control Submission
Once Planning Permission has been granted, the next stage is the preparation of a Building Control Drawing Package. These detailed technical drawings provide the information required for a contractor to construct the project and demonstrate compliance with UK Building Regulations.
At this stage, the design is developed to meet the legal standards governing the construction and alteration of buildings. This includes detailed considerations such as fire safety, structural stability, energy efficiency, and accessibility.
Depending on the scale and complexity of the project, preparation of the Building Control drawings typically takes between 2–6 weeks, as this stage requires a high level of technical detailing.
Prior to submission to Building Control, additional documentation is required from specialist consultants, including SAP Calculations and a Structural Engineer’s report. These are arranged by the client and are separate from architectural services.
Once the application is submitted, statutory Building Control fees are payable directly by the client. This normally includes a plan fee at submission and an inspection fee once site inspections begin. These statutory fees are not included within the architect’s fees.
Mortgage Supervision
At DA Architects, we provide mortgage supervision services to assist with lender requirements during the construction phase. With over 40 years of professional experience, we carry out periodic site visits throughout the build to monitor progress and confirm that the works are being carried out in accordance with the approved drawings.
Following these inspections, we can administer an Architectural Certificate confirming the stage of works completed, as required by mortgage lenders. This provides assurance to both the client and lender that construction is progressing appropriately and in line with the approved design.
3D Videos
Sketch Design
The Sketch Design stage begins with an initial consultation where the client and architect discuss the project in detail, including the client’s requirements, ideas, and preferred architectural styles. Clients may provide reference images or examples to help communicate their vision.
Using this information, the architect develops an initial concept design that responds to the site’s characteristics, including orientation, sun path, views, and surrounding context. Planning policy and Building Control considerations are also integrated at this early stage based on professional experience.
The client is then presented with early design visuals such as sketches, 3D models, or immersive 4D VR, allowing them to clearly understand the proposed concept.
This stage is crucial in ensuring the client’s brief is accurately interpreted, establishing room proportions, spatial relationships, building flow, and how the design connects with the site before progressing to detailed design and planning submission.
Tender Drawings
Once Building Control approval has been obtained, the project can progress to the Detailed Design stage. At this point, the client may choose to further develop the design in collaboration with the architect and interior designer to refine both the internal and external appearance of the building.
This stage focuses on the finer technical and aesthetic details of the project, including material selections, bespoke detailing, and the overall finish of the building. The architect develops these elements to ensure the design intent is clearly defined and can be accurately delivered on site.
From this work, a Tender Package can be prepared to allow contractors to price the project accurately. Tender documents form a comprehensive description of the proposed development and typically include detailed technical drawings, interior and exterior design specifications, material schedules, and an NBS specification tailored specifically to the project.
The tender package may also include administrative and contractual information such as proposed timescales, contractual terms, and health and safety documentation, ensuring contractors have all the information required to submit a clear and competitive tender.
Conservation Grade 1 & 2 Architects
As registered Conservation Architects, DA Architects has extensive experience working with historic and listed buildings. The practice includes two Grade I and Grade II registered Conservation Architects, providing specialist knowledge in the care, repair, and adaptation of heritage structures.
We provide expert guidance on conservation principles, appropriate materials, and sensitive technical detailing to ensure historic buildings are protected while allowing them to be carefully adapted for modern use. Our approach balances heritage protection with practical design solutions that respect the character and significance of each building.
Planning Submissions
Planning Permission is a legal requirement that regulates development and ensures that proposed changes to sites or properties are consistent with local planning policies and the character of the surrounding area.
Applying for planning permission involves preparing and submitting a detailed package of drawings and supporting documentation to the local authority. Accuracy, clarity, and careful presentation are essential to ensure your proposal is clearly understood and represented in the best possible way.
During the planning process, applications may encounter challenges such as neighbour objections or consultation feedback. In these situations, an architect’s experience is invaluable. We act as your advocate, responding to concerns, negotiating amendments where necessary, and guiding the process while maintaining the integrity of the design.
Project Management
Project management in residential construction involves overseeing the planning, coordination, and delivery of a project from commencement through to completion. This includes managing key aspects such as budgeting, scheduling, quality control, and communication between all stakeholders involved in the project.
A structured project management plan helps define the project’s scope, objectives, and deliverables, ensuring that all parties clearly understand the expectations and requirements throughout the build process.
Effective project management ensures the project progresses efficiently, helping to keep construction on schedule, within budget, and delivered to the required quality and design standards.
3D Visuals
At DA Architects, we create high-quality, photorealistic visualisations of both interior and exterior designs to help clients clearly visualise their project. These visuals bring design ideas to life, allowing clients to better understand the proposed spaces, materials, and overall appearance of their building before construction begins.
4D Virtual Reality
We produce high-quality HD video animations of your project, showcasing both the exterior and interior spaces. These immersive visual presentations allow clients to experience the design in motion, providing a realistic understanding of the building, its spaces, and overall atmosphere before construction begins.
Extending beyond traditional 3D imagery, 4D Virtual Reality introduces an immersive dimension that allows clients to fully experience their design. This technology enables clients to understand volume, depth, room proportions, and spatial relationships in a highly realistic way.
By virtually stepping inside the design before it is built, clients can experience the scale and atmosphere of the spaces, gaining a true sense of the building’s form and flow. This immersive approach elevates design presentations and helps bring the project to life long before construction begins.