design studio 22 a truly unique home design process Why engage the services of a professional design team For most people building or renovating their home is one of the most important projects they will ever undertake and potentially one of the most stressful. Most of us will only do this a small number of times throughout our life and the thought of it can be daunting. Engaging a professional in this area can take a great weight off your shoulders as, working in the industry, they are kept up to date with statutory regulations, environmental strategies, the latest trends, and products available for your specific needs. In other words they can guide you through the entire process, ensuring you plan your project effectively, and that your hard earned dollars are invested in a home that is the most efficient it can be for your family and your site.

Why planning is so important You should never underestimate the importance of accurate planning and documentation when undertaking a building project. This is the single most important step in your building process as this lays the groundwork and the guidelines as to how the building process will proceed. If it’s documented there’s no question, no grey areas. A few thousand dollars spent on correct planning in the early stages can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars and much heartache down the track. Remember FAILING TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL.

How design studio 22’s design process works For new homes and larger renovation projects you will be allocated an architect or building designer, interior designer and landscape designer (smaller or specialised projects may require only one designer) who will guide you through the exciting process of creating your new living environment. During the entire procedure they will work very closely with you ensuring the result makes best use of your site, satisfies your family’s requirements and provides you with a home you’ll be delighted to live in.

Where it all starts The first stage is the concept or schematic design stage where your architect or building designer will discuss with you what you hope to achieve. They will examine the extent of the project; the orientation of the building and potential energy efficiency; whether the block is sloping or level; whether you require single or two storey; the capacity of the building i.e. who will live there, their ages and lifestyle needs; required access planning; ingress and egress for people and vehicles; what style of home you would like; your proposed budget; etc. design studio 22 designers are trained to interpret this specific information and use it in the creation of a stylish, effective living space for you. It is important to remember that good design can cost the same as bad design. This efficient use of space, it’s allocation, materials and correct orientation dramatically effects the dynamics of your family and how they relate to each other. A badly designed home can disrupt your family life and make it disjointed and uncomfortable whereas a well designed home greatly assists in family harmony.

Timing of the building design stage Each project is very individual and normally the process involves the preliminary stages of visiting the site, obtaining a survey, and perhaps a measure up of the existing house, if a renovation. All this occurs within the first 3 – 4 weeks. Initial concepts design ideas follow this and these are prepared over the following weeks for presentation by the client. Clients can then critique the design for a few days meeting again with the designer where comments and amendments are discussed and analysed as to their workability, effectiveness and cost implications. The designer makes the resultant amendments and re presents the design to the clients. There are usually two to three of these brainstorming sessions between client and designer and they can result in some amazing outcomes as the design evolves over the next few weeks. During this time your interior designer and landscape designer will be making suggestions and having some input into the aesthetics and interior features of the building.

Why include Landscape Design in the process Including the Landscape Design in the planning process ensures that you create a holisitic living environment to unify your internal and external spaces. In our climate outdoor rooms are equally as important as indoor rooms and can be created at a fraction of the cost. Our landscape designer will create a sustainable easy maintenance garden to complement your home’s architectural features.

How the selection process works Your interior design consultant will have been working behind the scenes making suggestions to the building designer or architect and collecting ideas based on the initial discussions regarding the feeling or look the clients wish to create. Prior to plans being finalised the interior designer will arrange a meeting with the clients to review the plans and items which require selection. You will need to allow approximately two hours for this or if preferred we have a simple questionnaire which can be completed to give us enough information to start the process. Over the two weeks following this meeting the interior designer will collect materials, samples and colours related to the client’s requirements along with some creative suggestions ready to present to them for approval. They will also discuss niche placements, bathroom tile heights and tap and accessory placements and work with you to complete the electrical layout. This will all allow the working drawings to be undertaken.

Construction Drawings The mechanical part of the process is next where the concept design is translated into working drawings in preparation for council application and construction, which takes about 4 to 6 weeks. These drawings will include a 3d of the exterior of your building and internal rendering can be incorporated upon request. If required, we will also undertake an energy rating assessment to produce a BASIX certificate and obtain a quotation/s to prepare the engineering which will be required by council and builder. This will be undertaken concurrently with selections.

How design studio 22 presents the final selection The interior designer will continue to assist in the selection of materials and colours while guiding you through the process in 2 to 3 meeting over 4 to 6 weeks. Once completed you will be presented with a comprehensive selection schedule of around 40 – 60 pages detailing every item and colour which has been selected for your home. From external materials to taps, toilets, kitchen colours and fittings, doorhandles, power points, etc, etc, to ensure everything flows and works together.

Why select at this point and the advantages design studio 22 offer The first advantage in selecting everything up front is that you can ensure it all works together as the interior designer lays everything out to show how each colour and item relates to the other. However the biggest advantage is that design studio 22 can obtain discounts on quotations from suppliers and some tradespeople for their clients. You can be assured that design studio 22 do not receive commissions from any suppliers or tradespeople and all savings are passed on to our clients with recommendations based upon quality, service and value for money. What the final package contains The client’s total package includes an extremely extensive selection schedule containing the documentation of all their selections; an external and internal layout showing colours and materials and their complementary relationship; quotations on all the Prime Cost items selected; full working drawings; BASIX Certificate (if required); Engineering design (if required); electrical layout; external finish and colour plan; internal finish and colour plan; internal wet area tile layout; layout showing position of taps, towel rails etc.; information on products selected. Clients also receive up to three separate duplicate packages to take to builders for quoting. They are all identical and this allows the builders to give accurate quotations as they are all quoting with exactly the same inclusions, the inclusions the client has selected right from the start. Once the builder is selected individual trade packs can be prepared for each of the sub trades i.e. electrical details; plumbing detail; painting detail; tiling detail. This is a truly comprehensive package which takes the guesswork out and aids in a smooth process.

Council application design studio 22 will incorporate, in the Fee Proposal, submission of plans to council on the client’s behalf (not including council DA, CC or other relevant fees). If the project involves council, bushfire or environmental liaison we are available to undertake this on the client’s behalf and will advise if this involves a further cost.

What design studio 22 charges for these services Each project is considered on its own merit and charges are calculated according the amount of time, work and detail anticipated. Clients are issued with a fixed price quotation detailing all the services in stages as they occur with convenient progress payments billed monthly as the designers work through each process. Looking at past projects the average cost for clients undertaking the complete service normally calculates to only around 5% of total building costs for a new house, (renovations can vary according requirements) a small outlay to ensure all the planning is undertaken correctly and considering savings can total many thousands of dollars.

Access Planning related to disability and ageing design studio 22 offers the service of architectural access design within the built environment related to disability, safety and ageing issues, together with rehabilitation planning design reporting service to individual clients, the legal profession & insurance agencies with particular reference to the consequences of accident trauma in the built environment. Individual access requirements can be incorporated into new plans or existing homes or businesses.

Other services offered by design studio 22 In Studio Colour + Interior Design Consultations Clients who are renovating, building or redecorating can come to design studio 22‘s beautiful air conditioned studio in Edgar St where our Interior Designers are equipped with all the latest colour samples and product information to guide you through this process. This service is available from $100.00ph + gst.

Colour + Interior Design House Call Consultations For smaller projects we do house calls where we can assist with colour consultation or design styling in your own home. Interior Designers can bring along a range of colour and product samples which our stylists can use to match and co ordinate with your existing decor or to give you a brand new look. Starting at just $250 + gst for up to 3 hours (including travel from Coffs Harbour)

Renovation Potential Anyone considering a renovation of their existing home or looking at the potential of a home they are considering purchasing, can arrange for a designer to appraise the building’s potential on site. They will then report back as to the viability of the proposed renovation. Site visits start at just $250 + gst (for visits within a 20km radius of any of our studios). In other areas travel will need to be added.

Graphic Design Our creative graphic design service offers a full spectrum of tools to help clients market themselves professionally and effectively in print and online. This means we can provide targeted marketing packages, a logo design or a website that help make you look great everywhere and assist in building your business. For tailored, inspired graphic design, web site design, and logo design solutions to captivate your target market contact us here at design studio 22. ONE OF OUR AWARD WINNING DESIGNS IS FEATURED BELOW