When most of us think of an architect, we think yes, someone who’ll design my forever home and also take care of my construction process. That is true, an architect is more than a designer of buildings. They are highly trained, licensed professionals who will provide services throughout your construction process and their services come at a cost. Essentially an Architect is the second person you call after you’ve completed your health and safety compliance process, so let’s look at the 6 critical services of an Architect’s workflow:
STAGE 1: INCEPTION AND CONSULTATION
This is the first stage, which serves as the Architect’s initial consultation with you, the client. As the client, you’ll provide the Architect with a brief, detailing your requirements such as your preferred design style i.e., African-contemporary, Colonial etc and from here the Architect will assess all possible constraints and opportunities. These may include the restraints of the site, legal rights, budget, consultants required, the programme of the project, and how you should go about contracting builders and other sub-contractors.
STAGE 2: CONCEPT AND VIABILITY
After crossing all the ts and cs as far as your brief is concerned, the second stage is the design process. Here the Architect will begin producing schematic diagrams that analyse spatial provisions. The Architect, in consultation with you, will also begin deciding on the material of the building as well as the functionality of the spaces from a technical standpoint. The Architect will then ensure that the concept conforms to the rights of the site, as well as costing of the project based on this initial design. Once project scope is finalised, the Architect will share this along with the budget for your approval. Always bear in mind that construction costs and project scope changes as the construction progresses and as you amend your requirements so be prepared to exceed your initial budget.
STAGE 3: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Stage 3 is the confirmation of the project scope. After reviewing the design, the Architect will then negotiate and consult with your local municipality to ensure compliance. When they receive project authorisation, the Architect will further develop the design, finalise the building’s material, the system of construction, and other architectural components. The Architect will also need to incorporate the work and fees of other consultants such as Town Planners into the main documents of the project. All these fees, design and other services will require your approval prior to moving to stage 4.
STAGE 4: DOCUMENTATION /BIDDING AND PROCUREMENT
First the Architect will prepare all the documents necessary for municipal submission. This requires the co-ordination of technical documentation with the consultants, and the finalisation of the project’s specifications. After this, a final review of the costing and programme will take place with the consultants and the Architect will submit to the municipality for approval. Make sure the Architect has your approval prior to submitting the documents for city council approval. Secondly, the Architect must also complete the construction drawings and other additional tender documentation during stage 4. Once this is complete, the Architect will proceed to search for tenders or suppliers such as builders, electricians etc. Upon your approval, the Architect will then proceed to procure offers for the execution of the project. These offers must then be evaluated, after which the Architect will recommend who the building contract should be awarded to. Official documentation surrounding the building contract should then be prepared, preferably by a construction lawyer, and signed by you and the Architect. It is very important and highly recommended that at this stage you also include the services of a construction lawyer such as RN Inc who will hold you and your architect accountable. This legal service is offered at no additional costs with Houser.
STAGE 5: CONSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION
Stage 5 begins with the administration of the building contract, after which the site handover will take place between the builder and your Architect. The Architect will provide all applicable construction documentation to the builder, as well as check that all sub-contractor designs and documentations are correct. Your construction lawyer will also check in every now and again to oversee compliance and that the work conforms to the original contract. As the Principal Agent, the Architect will perform all contractual duties assigned to them, issue the Certificate of Practical Completion as completed by the Engineer, and also assist you to obtain an Occupation Certificate.
STAGE 6: CLOSE OUT
The Close Out serves as the final stage of the Architectural Process, which is the successful completion of a project and the final handover of assets to you. The Architect will hand-over as-built drawings and other relevant documentation that concerns the contractors and sub-contractors.
