1.Ask an Expert

Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation with RDA’s Director and Founder, Richard Dudzicki

With over 30 years of experience in designing and building beautiful, sustainable, award-winning homes, Richard Dudzicki, our Director and Founder, is here to help demystify your project. This free consultation will give you the opportunity to discuss your goals and explore the potential of your future home.

Ease your mind and take the first step with confidence. No commitment, flexible timings.

What you’ll get from the consultation:

• A 30-minute one-on-one discussion with Richard.

• Insight into your project goals and how we can help bring your vision to life.

Choosing the right architect is critical, and we understand it can be a daunting process. The right architect not only aligns with your design style, building needs, and budget, but also shares your values and understands the scope of your project. Picking the wrong one can lead to problems during construction and cause unnecessary stress.

We’ve created a list of key questions to ask architects and contractors that will help guide you to make a well-informed decision:

Questions to Ask:

• How can you add value to our home?

• What are the specific challenges for our type of project, and how have you overcome these in the past?

• If my budget, timeline, and scope of the project are unrealistic, will you let me know?

• How would you like me to share my ideas, images, needs, wants, and research?

• What can I do to help you deliver the best work for my project?

• Do you have a plan in place for how we’ll work together successfully, even under pressure?

• Will you run the tender process to find and select the best construction team?

• Can you offer discounts or benefits when sourcing fixtures and fittings?

• What can you offer to help us reach our goal of a net-zero home?

2. Next Steps

Presenting Our Process, Next Steps, and Recommendations

Once we have a clear understanding of your vision, goals, and the scope of your project, we’ll present you with a detailed overview of our design and project delivery process. This step is all about making sure you feel confident, informed, and aligned with the path ahead. 

Here's what you can expect:

• A Clear Overview of Our Process:

We’ll guide you through our carefully structured approach to design and project management, from the initial concept stage to the completion of your dream home. Our process is designed to ensure that every detail is accounted for and that we stay on track, with no surprises along the way. You’ll get an understanding of key stages, such as planning applications, design development, contractor selection, and final implementation.

• Next Steps:

We’ll outline the next steps for moving your project forward, whether it’s obtaining necessary permissions, starting with design concepts, or finalising budgeting and timelines. We’ll ensure that you know exactly what’s expected of both you and us to keep things moving smoothly and efficiently.

• Tailored Recommendations:

Based on our conversation and your goals, we’ll provide tailored recommendations that align with your budget, design preferences, and sustainability ambitions. This could involve advice on specific materials, building techniques, or energy-efficient solutions, such as Passivhaus design principles or eco-friendly building materials. We’ll also discuss how best to optimise the space, structure, and flow of your home to meet your needs.

• Exploring Key Considerations:

At this stage, we’ll highlight important factors that could impact your project, such as site conditions, zoning regulations, sustainability goals, and budget considerations. We will ensure that you have a clear understanding of any potential challenges or opportunities before we move forward.

Our goal during this step is to ensure you feel fully informed, empowered, and excited about the direction your project will take. We want to establish a strong, collaborative partnership that sets the foundation for success.

3. Review & Sketch

Preparing a Brief, Assessing Your Site, and Creating Initial Designs

After carefully reviewing your needs, goals, and options, we move into the next phase where we begin to transform ideas into reality. This step involves three key actions: preparing a comprehensive brief, assessing your site, and developing initial designs. 

Here’s what you can expect:

• Preparing the Brief:

Based on our discussions, we will put together a detailed brief that captures all of your requirements and desires for your project. This will include your design vision, functional needs, aesthetic preferences, budget, and any sustainability goals. The brief acts as a roadmap for the project, ensuring that we stay aligned with your vision and that nothing is overlooked as we move forward.

• Site Assessment:

We will carry out a thorough site assessment to understand the unique characteristics and challenges of your location. This could include studying the site’s topography, accessibility, local regulations, and any environmental factors that could impact the design and construction process. Our goal is to assess the potential of the site to support your vision and identify any obstacles that may need to be addressed.

• Creating Initial Designs:

Once the brief is complete and the site has been assessed, we’ll begin developing initial design concepts. These early designs will give you a visual sense of how your dream home might look, feel, and function. We’ll explore different layouts, materials, and styles that align with your brief, as well as incorporate sustainability elements, such as energy-efficient systems or passive design strategies, if that’s part of your vision. These designs are a starting point and will be refined over time as we gather your feedback and adjust to your preferences.

Throughout this stage, we’ll keep you involved and engaged, ensuring the designs align with your expectations. We’ll provide clear explanations of the design rationale, help you make informed decisions, and refine the concepts based on your input.

4.Feasibility Study

Feasibility Study and Advancing Through the RIBA Planning Process

Once we have a clear vision for your project, we move forward with a feasibility study to assess how your ideas can be practically brought to life. This stage is crucial as it provides an in-depth evaluation of the project’s viability and helps guide the next steps in the RIBA Plan of Work, ensuring a structured and efficient design process.

The RIBA Stages are a set of defined steps that provide a clear roadmap for managing architectural projects, from initial concept to project completion. These stages help ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with the desired outcomes. By following the RIBA Plan of Work, architectural practices can maintain a consistent and effective approach, ensuring the highest standards in design and construction.

Here’s how we approach the feasibility stage:

• Feasibility Study:

We’ll carry out a detailed feasibility study, which examines various factors such as site conditions, local planning regulations, zoning laws, and budgetary constraints. This study allows us to evaluate whether the proposed design can be realistically achieved within the given constraints. It may include potential solutions for any challenges or restrictions discovered during our site assessment.

• Risk Assessment and Solutions:

We’ll also identify any risks associated with the project and propose practical solutions to overcome them. This could involve structural challenges, planning restrictions, or environmental concerns. Additionally, Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) considerations play a key role in this stage, ensuring that the project adheres to safety standards, minimizes environmental impact, and mitigates potential hazards. By addressing these factors early, we create a solid foundation for a safe and sustainable design process.

• Planning and Permissions:

As we proceed through RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design) and Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination), we will prepare the necessary documentation for planning applications and guide you through the permissions process. This includes preparing drawings, calculations, and other materials required for approval. We work closely with local authorities to ensure that all regulations are met and that the project moves forward smoothly.

• Aligning with Your Goals:

Throughout this phase, we will revisit your initial goals and ensure that the designs remain aligned with your vision. We’ll also review your budget to ensure that the scope of work fits within your financial expectations. The feasibility study provides clarity on what can be realistically achieved and gives us the go-ahead to refine the design and move to the next stage of development (RIBA Stage 4 – Technical Design).

Our aim at this stage is to ensure that everything is in place before we move into the detailed design phase, so you can proceed with confidence, knowing your project is both achievable and aligned with your objectives.

5. Project Start

Project Start – Finalising Your Home Designs and Moving Forward

Once planning permission has been awarded and everything is in place, we’re ready to bring your vision to life. This is the exciting stage where we move from concepts and feasibility to finalising your home designs and preparing for construction. It’s also the crucial technical step before the physical start of the project, ensuring that all legal and safety considerations are fully addressed. Here’s 

how we proceed:

• Finalising Designs:

With planning permission secured, we’ll refine the design concepts, incorporating any feedback or adjustments that may have come up during the planning process. This includes finalising architectural details, selecting materials, and ensuring the design aligns perfectly with your vision, sustainability goals, and budget. At this stage, we’ll also ensure that any planning conditions set by local authorities are addressed in the final designs.

• Technical Drawings and Specifications:

We prepare the necessary technical drawings, construction plans, and specifications that will guide the building process. These include detailed plans for structural elements, materials, systems, and finishes, ensuring every aspect of your project is well thought out and ready for the construction team. Importantly, this includes adhering to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations to ensure the project complies with safety standards and environmental guidelines. Additionally, we ensure that the designs meet Building Regulations, which cover a wide range of safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency standards. These regulations are essential to ensure the building is safe for use, structurally sound, and sustainable. If the work involves shared boundaries or walls with adjacent properties, we will also address Party Wall agreements. By addressing these technical and legal requirements now, we can ensure a smooth and compliant construction process.

• Coordination with Contractors and Suppliers:

At RDA Architects, we offer a Design and Build service, which we strongly recommend for a seamless project experience. This service allows us to manage the selection and coordination of trusted contractors and suppliers, ensuring that all aspects of the construction process align with your design vision. Alternatively, we can propose other reliable contractors from our established network with whom we regularly work. However, we understand that you may have your own preferences, so we are more than happy for you to suggest any contractors or suppliers you would like to work with, and we will ensure their work is integrated smoothly into the project.

• Project Management and Timeline:

With everything in place, we’ll provide you with a clear timeline for the build, outlining key milestones and deadlines. Throughout the construction process, we’ll be on hand to oversee prog ress, manage any changes, and resolve any issues that arise—ensuring the project stays on track and within budget.

At this stage, you’ll begin to see your dream home take shape. Our goal is to ensure that every aspect of the project runs smoothly, from design to construction, and that all necessary preparations are in place before work on site begins. This helps ensure that the project is well-organised, compliant, and ready to move forward with confidence.