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Frequently Asked Questions: helping to make the process easier

  • I just need a draughts person!
    When you employ someone to do a job for you they should be suitably trained and qualified to carry out that task for a better end result and a reduced risk. Going to a ‘plans drawn person’ is the same as asking the person who washes your car to fix or service it or asking the receptionist at the GP to recommend a medical treatment. A building is often the most expensive asset that a person owns and as such it is important to consult the appropriate professional for the job. Architects offer value for money as they have experience navigating through complex procedures and processes. We also have huge amounts of imagination often coming up with solutions that are more creative, add functionality, are environmentally sensitive and achieve the best return on your investment.
  • It's just drawing a box on the side of my house!
    No, but there are plenty of people out there who will. Architecture is a bespoke service where the solution needs to be tailored specifically for the building, setting and client. If you know exactly what you want to the final detail to be and just want someone to ‘draw it up for planning’ then Heritage Fusion is probably not the practice for you.
  • It's just drawing a box on the side of my house!
    No, but there are plenty of people out there who will. Architecture is a bespoke service where the solution needs to be tailored specifically for the building, setting and client. If you know exactly what you want to the final detail to be and just want someone to ‘draw it up for planning’ then Heritage Fusion is probably not the practice for you.
  • Architects are expensive!
    An Architect is good value aiming to maximise the return on your investment. Our service is broken down into work stages so we can tailor a service to suit most budgets expanding and contracting the scope of service depending on your needs and your level of experience. You instruct one stage at a time, not committing to future stages until you are ready. Our fee proposals clearly outline the cost of a workstage and what you expect to get out of that workstage. We quote for work not based upon your construction budget, the selection of a gold tap after all does not alter the scope of work involved but instead upon the complexity of a job and the time it will take to complete the workstages.
  • These kinds of builds are always expensive!
    Build costs vary hugely depending upon the scope of work and the complexity of the job. Working with Listed or historic structures for example has a higher cost per sq meter for example because the level of skill and expertise needed from the builder is much higher and often the work takes longer. This will push up the construction cost of the project. We are not cost consultants however can give you guidance on your budget based on sq meterage rates to check budget against brief. We also strongly encourage at key work stages that the scope of work is checked by a cost consultant/ Qs to reduce the risk of abortive work or allow for project phasing to be built into the job.
  • I can't do anything with a Listed Building!
    Yes you can - you can do lots of things! A building is Listed (either nationally or locally) because there is something about it that is significant and worthy of protection. It is not however a museum piece preserved in time, it can be altered. The process of designing within the context of a Listed building however requires a more careful and considered approach to ensure that there is no harm to that significance. Our careful attention to detail aims to guide you through that process to make the most from your building whilst protecting the thing that makes it special in the first place.
  • Listed Buildings can't be environmentally friendly!
    That's not true. The greenest building is the one that already exists. Pre 1900 building stock needs a different approach to those build with modern construction methods but almost all buildings can be made more environmentally friendly. We can offer advice as to how far you can go with this and the processes to follow to ensure that you can improved the green credentials of a building without threatening its heritage values.
  • I can get by without a Heritage Statement!
    A Heritage Statement is a report often required as part of a planning application or consent application that involves Heritage Assets, including Listed Buildings or Conservation Areas. If you’re planning to make changes to a Listed or heritage building, then the answer is probably yes, you will need one. A Heritage Statement is needed to provide an understanding of the change that has occurred on a site over time to establish the history and development of a building or site, to better understand its historic significance. This process is key to providing the local authority with information on which to base their decision-making process, but also to provide early and clear advice to inform design proposals that may result in a change to the asset or its setting.

Our 5 stage process

Architect Design Process

Click on the image above to read more!

Our Associations & Useful Resources

Associations

If you are looking for more information about  Heritage Buildings, Conservation Areas, Listed buildings, Planning Permission and the Architect role in the process please click and read through these useful links.

Planning Permission -  https://www.planningportal.co.uk

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Construction (Design and Management) Regulations - www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/index.htm

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Architects Registration Board - www.arb.org.uk

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Retrofitting of Traditional Buildings - www.ihbconline.co.uk

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Building Conservation - www.buildingconservation.com 

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The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings - www.spab.org.uk

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Royal Institute of British Architects - www.architecture.com

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