Embarking on a design project can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you're planning a new home, renovation, or commercial space, understanding the design process helps you navigate each phase with confidence. At 35 Below Architectural Design, we've developed a structured yet flexible approach that combines design excellence with practical construction knowledge.

This guide outlines our typical design process, but it's important to note that we tailor our approach to each project's unique requirements. No two projects follow exactly the same path, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to your specific needs and circumstances. Think of this as a roadmap that we can adjust together as your project unfolds.

1. Discovery: Defining your Vision

Every successful project begins with understanding your needs and aspirations. Our process starts with a friendly, complimentary chat where we explore:

• Your functional requirements and how you'll use the space

• Aesthetic preferences and design inspiration

• Site characteristics and opportunities

• Budget parameters and timeline expectations

• Special requirements or considerations

During this initial meeting, we have a relaxed conversation about your lifestyle and daily routines. This helps us create spaces that truly enhance how you live or work.

What makes our discovery phase special is our focus on both design aspirations and practical buildability. With our construction background, we can provide early feedback on which ideas might present challenges or opportunities and have a chat about potential budget constraints.

Outcome: Following this consultation, we'll provide a Design Services Agreement outlining our proposed services, fee structure, and projected timeline. Once this is accepted we can move on to the next stage.

2. Site Analysis: Reading the Land

Once we've established the groundwork for your project, we conduct a thorough site visit and analysis. This crucial step informs all subsequent design decisions by identifying:

• Sun paths and natural light patterns

• Prevailing winds and weather considerations

• Views and sight lines worth capturing or screening

• Site access and circulation opportunities

• Topography and drainage patterns

• Relationship to neighbouring buildings

• Existing vegetation and natural features

For renovation projects, we assess the existing structure, identifying elements that should be preserved, modified, or removed. Our construction expertise allows us to spot potential structural issues early, avoiding surprises later in the process.

We document the site with photographs, measurements, and notes, creating a comprehensive understanding of the physical context for your project.

Outcome: A detailed site analysis that informs all future design decisions, ensuring your project responds intelligently to its physical environment.

3. Feasibility Studies: Exploring Possibilities and Constraints

Before diving into design, we conduct essential research to understand what's possible on your site from a regulatory and practical perspective:

• Zoning regulations and permitted activities

• Building height and coverage restrictions

• Setback requirements

• Covenants and consent notices

• Infrastructure and service availability

• Geotechnical considerations

We also review any existing engineering reports, land information, or previous consents relevant to your property. This research phase often identifies opportunities or constraints that significantly impact the design approach.

Our construction background gives us practical insight into how these factors might affect buildability and cost. For example, if soil conditions require specific foundation types, we can factor this into early design considerations rather than discovering it later.

Outcome: A feasibility report that outlines regulatory constraints, site opportunities, and practical considerations, providing a solid foundation for the concept design phase.

4. Site Planning: Optimal Positioning

Using CAD software, we develop a site plan that optimises the positioning of your building based on our feasibility findings. This plan considers:

• Building orientation for optimal sunlight and energy efficiency

• Access and circulation routes

• Relationship to existing features and buildings

• Privacy and view considerations

• Outdoor living spaces and landscaping opportunities

The site plan establishes the fundamental relationship between your building and its surroundings, setting the stage for more detailed design development.

Outcome: A comprehensive site plan that establishes the optimal position and orientation for your building, balancing regulatory requirements with site opportunities.

5. Concept Design: Bringing Ideas to Life

This is where your project begins to take visible form. Working from the site plan and your brief, we develop concept options that explore different approaches to meeting your requirements. The concept design typically includes:

• Floor plans showing room layouts and circulation

• Elevations illustrating the building's external appearance

• Key sections showing the relationship between spaces

• Material and finish concepts

• 3D visualizations to help you understand the design

Our design approach integrates aesthetic considerations with practical construction knowledge. For example, we consider standard material dimensions to minimize waste, and design details that are both beautiful and buildable.

This phase involves close collaboration with you, as we present concepts, gather feedback, and refine the direction based on your input.

Outcome: A concept design that balances your aesthetic and functional requirements with site conditions and practical considerations.

6. Design Development: Refining the Details

Once you've approved a concept direction, we enter the design development phase. This is where we refine the concept into a comprehensive design, addressing:

• Detailed room layouts and dimensions

• Cabinetry and built-in elements

• Window and door specifications

• Material selections and finishes

• Lighting and electrical plans

• Plumbing fixtures and locations

• Heating and ventilation strategies

During this phase, we often collaborate with engineers or other specialists to ensure all aspects of the design are coordinated and comply with building codes.

What sets our approach apart is our attention to construction details at this stage. Our construction knowledge allows us to design connections, junctions, and details that will work well on site, reducing the need for costly redesigns during construction.

Outcome: A comprehensive developed design that addresses all aspects of your project in detail, ready for final documentation.

7. 3D Visualisation: Seeing Your Space Before It's Built

To help you fully understand the design, we create photorealistic 3D renders of key spaces. These visualisations allow you to:

• Experience the spatial qualities of your future building

• Understand how light enters and affects different spaces

• See how materials and finishes work together

• Make informed decisions about design elements

These visualisations serve as a valuable tool for refining the design before construction documents are prepared, reducing the likelihood of changes during construction.

Outcome: Detailed 3D visualisations that give you confidence in the design direction before proceeding to construction documentation.

8. Working Drawings and Documentation: The Blueprint for Building

Once the design is finalised, we prepare comprehensive construction documentation in collaboration with structural engineers when required. These detailed plans include:

• Dimensioned floor plans

• Building sections and details

• Interior elevations

• Exterior elevations

• Construction details

• Window and door schedules

• Plumbing fixtures and locations

• Material specifications

Our construction background ensures these documents are comprehensive, practical, and builder-friendly. We understand how builders will interpret and use these drawings, allowing us to provide clear, unambiguous instructions that reduce questions and delays during construction.

Outcome: A complete set of construction documents that provides clear instructions for builders and supports the building consent process.

9. Building Consent: Navigating Approvals

We manage the building consent application process on your behalf, preparing and submitting all necessary documentation to your local council. This includes:

• Consent application forms

• Construction documentation

• Supporting calculations and specifications

• Engineering reports

• Energy efficiency assessments

Throughout the consent process, we maintain communication with the council, promptly addressing any requests for further information or clarification. Our thorough documentation and understanding of building code requirements help streamline this process.

Outcome: Building consent approval, allowing construction to proceed with all necessary permissions in place.

10. Construction Support: Bringing the Design to Life

While our formal role typically concludes with the issuance of building consent, we remain available during the construction phase to:

• Conduct site visits at key milestones

• Address builder questions

• Review shop drawings or submittals

• Assist with any consent amendments if needed

• Help resolve any unexpected issues that arise

This ongoing support ensures the design intent is preserved throughout the construction process, resulting in a finished building that truly reflects your vision.

Outcome: Changes or unexpected challenges can be addressed promptly with design-informed solutions.

The 35 Below Approach: Flexible and Collaborative

Every project is unique, and while we've outlined our typical design journey above, we're always flexible in how we approach your specific project. Some projects might combine certain phases, while others might require additional specialised steps. What remains consistent is our commitment to:

• Clear, open communication throughout the process

• Adapting our services to suit your specific needs

• Finding the right balance between design excellence and practical buildability

• Making the design process enjoyable and straightforward

  
  

Get in touch with us

If you're thinking about a building project, we'd love to chat about how we can help bring your ideas to life. The design process might seem complex at first glance, but we're here to guide you every step of the way, making it as simple and enjoyable as possible.

Contact us for an initial conversation – no obligation, just a chance to explore possibilities together.

Led by Adam Baker, 35 Below Architectural Design draws from our background in both carpentry and design to combine practical construction expertise with architectural vision. We transform your ideas into reality, delivering considered solutions — on time and on budget.

We are a Licensed Building Practitioner.