Conserving, restoring and preserving buildings of architectural merit is highly skilled, requiring an intimate knowledge of traditional construction, planning constraints and the client’s brief whilst respectfully ensuring a building’s long-term and sustainable future.
The terms conservation and restoration are not the same. Restoration involves reinstating a building to its original glory together with its original details. Conservation, however, is concerned with preserving a building from this moment in time, including any alterations which may have occurred throughout the life of the building.
In both cases our role remains the same, to ultimately save a building from demolition, to make it more sustainable and to conserve it for use by future generations. To successfully enhance the longevity of a building often requires a balance between preserving character and detail whilst making respectful alterations, where permitted, to suit modern living. We will help you with your project to establish the key design and cost objectives, to assess the condition of your property and to summarise any likely planning constraints before agreeing a working brief and delivery strategy.
Here is an example of a recent restoration project in Central London.
Following initial discussions with the client we will prepare a project strategy and a brief. This will consider the client’s requirements, key objectives, the project budget, programme and design aspirations.
Next we will arrange a measured survey and gather site information before preparing a feasibility study based on the brief. During this stage we will outline all project constraints and opportunities, applicable statutory requirements and likely input required from other consultants. Depending on the scale and complexity of the project it may be necessary to appoint a Quantity Surveyor from this point forward to advise on project cost.
After discussing the results of the feasibility study with the client we will prepare a concept design focusing not only on form, function and aesthetic, but early consideration of structure and building services. We will also consider materials, method of construction, site logistics and the project budget. The concept design often comprises of multiple options to be discussed and reviewed with the client. We typically use CAD drawings and 3D visuals at this stage to present our work.
Once the concept design has been agreed we will liaise with the local planning authority and any other statutory consultees. We will then prepare and submit the relevant planning applications, supporting drawings, assessments and statements, and manage each application through to determination. RBD Architecture & Interiors have extensive knowledge of local authority planning policy and the planning process and have considerable experience working with listed buildings, conservation areas and greenbelt development. We pride ourselves on maintaining an approval success rate of over 95% including applications of various degrees of scale and complexity.
Once planning consent has been granted we will prepare the technical design – a construction package of detailed drawings, schedules, product information and health & safety information for pricing. We usually recommend seeking tenders from a minimum of three principal contractors.
The development of the technical design is a continuation of the design process requiring careful coordination of our design with information provided by the other appointed consultants. Our preferred approach is to work closely with our clients during the preparation of this information to make all key design decisions before work commences on site. This will help ensure that the construction cost and programme is kept to a minimum.
The technical design will include important information such as setting out, construction details, mechanical and electrical specifications and Building Regulations notes. All tendering contractors will also be provided with a summary of the proposed Building Contract particulars.
Once a principal contractor has been chosen we will act as Contract Administrator, assisting with the preparation of an appropriate Building Contract. The client and the principal contractor will formally agree terms relating to the proposed works, the construction programme and the contract value.
During construction, RBD will administer the terms of the building contract, carry out regular site inspections, respond to any contractor queries, monitor progress, and continue to manage and coordinate the design.
On completion of the works we will prepare all relevant documentation for handover and review the final account.
If you are thinking of buying a period property or considering restoring or enhancing your home, we can help you access its condition and potential, research its planning history and advise on any limitations. We prepare and submit applications for planning applications, freehold or estate management consents to various estates such as Grosvenor & Cadogan.
Get in touch today to discuss your project.
I cannot recommend Andy and the RBD team enough – absolutely fantastic. I engaged Andy on a major project for 6+ months. At all times he was super professional and knowledgeable. I was DELIGHTED with the results and will definitely use him again!
We are still early in the construction phase but we’re very pleased with the excellent design and advice we’ve received from Andy Willis so far. Our project has been complicated and unusual for various reasons and Andy has gone above and beyond in helping us. Andy has been great at steering us, drawing out what we were looking for and organising us and our priorities. Andy’s great at communicating regularly and we’ve been really pleased at his level of care and attention. We just can’t wait to see the final house, and then I’ll be back to update my review!
I employed RBD Architecture & Interiors to renovate a London townhouse into 2 apartments. Andy did a fantastic job of laying out the space in both properties resulting in both apartments achieving the full asking price in record time. His designs were clever, utilized all available space, and looked fantastic, quickly reminding me of the added value an architect can have on any property. I am currently doing another similar development in London as well as renovating a holiday home in the West Indies and using Andy for both properties was the obvious choice. I am excited to see both come to fruition. If you are looking for a smart and easy-to-work with architect who understands your brief and goes beyond that by offering intelligent solutions to any design problem, then look no further.
RBD have helped with the redesign of various parts (living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms) of our London home over recent years. We are delighted with the results – the mix of arresting vision and ‘fit for use’ practicality. We plan to continue using them in the future.
We were exceptionally pleased with the work done by RBD. They took into consideration all of our asks, came up with innovative solutions for maximizing storage, and worked extremely closely with the builders to ensure the entire process went smoothly from start to finish and that the end result was exactly what we were looking for from an aesthetic and practical perspective.
We were exceptionally pleased with the work done by RBD. They took into consideration all our asks, came up with innovative solutions for maximising storage, and worked extremely closely with the builders to ensure the entire process went smoothly from start to finish and that the end result was exactly what we were looking for from an aesthetic and practical perspective.
RBD Architecture & Interiors helped us with various works to our home including a new master suite. The service provided was excellent and their team have a real eye for detail – especially in Interior Design.
Andy and his team designed our beautiful new home combining creative design with very good ideas and the capacity to deliver on time, with great results.
We have been working with RBD for a while now during the redevelopment of our London offices. Their combined architectural and interior design capability has been particularly useful in meeting our objectives.
We used RBD Architecture & Interiors to design and manage the extensive redevelopment of our period Mews house in London. They helped us each and every step of the way including obtaining all the relevant planning consents.
