RIBA Plan of Work | Stage by Stage

As an Architectural practice, chartered by the Royal Institute of British Architects, our services and activities are based around the work stages outlined within the current RIBA Plan of Work document which has evolved over the last 50 years.

We find this helpful as a simple framework to explain to Clients what we can provide and how the services interlink to create a complete Architectural and Design service for assessing the viability of a project through to its completion on site.

Hopefully you’ll find this section of the website informative, but if you do have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your personal needs in more detail.

STAGE 0 – Strategic Definition

From the first contact with a potential Client, we are keen to listen to your ideas and thoughts about a project, no matter how embryonic they may be. Over recent years a role has developed for the Architect to assist in assembling elements that can get a project off the ground, from putting sites together, assisting in the early business case, introducing specialists to identify the constraints of a project as well as the opportunities, or even putting forward funding suggestions. Through our wealth of experience across all work sectors, we are often able to create a real and viable project out of a germ of an idea, using experience, lateral thinking, and intelligence, realising something beyond your highest aspirations.

STAGE 1 – Preparation + Brief

Once the idea of a project is formed, we sit down with you to establish a formal brief which includes your key drivers for the project. This will include your budget, timescales, attitude towards sustainability, for example, as well as, if possible, specific requirements in terms of accommodation, potential user groups etc, which help us put your brief together as accurately as possible.

STAGE 2 – Concept Design

Having formulated your brief, we use a variety of illustrative techniques to develop and present our initial concepts. These include hand drawn sketches and perspectives, white card models and 3D sketch up computer models, which are developed to test how a design will come together. This includes the form and scale of the building, how it sits in its context, how it might be constructed, the likely materials to be used etc, as well as developing the ‘uniqueness’ of the design which will then be taken and refined through its subsequent stages of design and technical development.

STAGE 3 – Developed Design

Taking our frozen concept design, we then develop this towards the submission of an outline or detailed planning application. At this stage we involve the input of other consultants to provide the necessary design and technical inputs into the process, covering all aspects of the design, which are requested by the Statutory Authorities. We co-ordinate these consultants and their information, obtain competitive quotations for their services and combine their information with our own to submit a comprehensive planning application on your behalf. A critical element at this stage is the creation of a budget costing to establish anticipated build costs before the project proceeds too far. This enables you to adjust the content of a scheme prior to planning permission ensuring that a subsequently approved scheme fits within your budget constraints.

STAGE 4 – Technical Design

At this stage we take the planning approved scheme and develop technical drawings and specifications alongside other team members to enable a Building Regulation submission to be made, whilst discharging any planning conditions relating to the earlier planning approval. We have a reputation for technical detailing and specifying projects of all types and sizes, which is produced in AutoCAD and Revit (BIM) formats with specifications being issued using the National Building Specification system (NBS). We establish the most suitable construction techniques for the design and budget in hand, assessing these against performance criteria for durability, sustainability, acoustic performance etc.

STAGE 5 – Construction

Whether procured as a traditional form of contract, Design and Build, or form of management contract, we are as comfortable fulfilling the full lead consultant role as we are forming part of a contractor’s construction team. As lead consultant we co-ordinate the construction team, chair site and design team meetings, and keep you informed as our client with regards to progress and site issues. We carry out detailed site inspections ensuring building details and quality are to our exacting standards. Based upon Quantity Survey’s valuations we provide Architect’s certificates, Architect’s Instructions and any additional details required to keep a project running smoothly. As a practice we have built the majority of our designs over the last 30 years, with very few remaining on the drawing board and, as a result, we are continuously in demand for our wealth of construction knowledge.

STAGE 6 – Handover + Close Out

Our eye for detail and quality of fit and finish enables us to deliver schemes to the highest standards available in the UK. Our buildings have won many local and national awards and have featured on television programmes such as Channel 4’s “Grand Design” and Channel 5’s “I own Britain’s Favourite Home”. We pride ourselves in looking after our clients and going the extra mile to deliver projects on time and on budget and, as a result, we still obtain most of our work through recommendation.

STAGE 7 – In Use

Following handover and occupation, we keep in touch with our clients to ensure that they are happy with their new building and to organise any defects resolution that may be required. When requested we can organise ‘as built’ drawings and ‘cost in use’ studies to ensure that buildings are performing as intended.

In a nutshell Halliday Clark are approachable, friendly, and professional. We look after our clients, are committed to the highest client service and creation of special buildings. We produce information quickly and without fuss. We charge realistic fees and regularly deal with project values from £200,000 to £100m. We work hard, have fun, and use our design flair, integrity and technical experience to deliver high quality building designs.