Architecture

Gale & Snowden Architects and Mechanical Engineers have 19 years experience including education, community and public building design . The practice specialises in integrated ecological/sustainable design and planning and has been at the forefront of and has helped shaped this movement in the UK for those 19 years.

The practice specialises in the following architectural services which are fully integrated and included in standard fees:

• Full RIBA Workstages (see below)
• Air tightness design
• Passive design including expert energy efficient fabric design
• Avoidance of thermal bridging
• Healthy Building design
• Permaculture design
• Low embodied energy materials design and specification

Gale & Snowden provide full RIBA architects design and management services to all RIBA Work stages A-L:

A Appraisal Identification of client’s needs and objectives, business case and possible constraint on development. Preparation of feasibility studies and assessment of options to enable the client to decide whether to proceed.

B Design Brief Development of initial statement of requirement into the Design Brief by or on behalf of the client confirming key requirements and constraints. Identification of procurement method, procedures, organisational structure and range of consultants and others to be engaged for the project.

C Concept Implementation of Design Brief and preparation of additional data. Preparation of Concept design including outline proposals for structural and building service systems, outline specifications and preliminary cost plan. Review of procurement route.

D Design Development Development of concept design to include structural and building services systems, updated outline specifications and cost plan. Completion of Project Brief. Application for detailed planning permission.

E Technical Design Preparation of technical design(s) and specifications, sufficient to co-ordinate components and elements of the projects and information for statutory standards and construction safety.

F Production Information Preparation of detailed information for construction. Application for statutory approvals. Preparation of further information for construction required under the building contract. Review of information provided by specialists.

G Tender Documentation Preparation and / or collation of tender documentation in sufficient detail to enable a tender or tenders to be obtained for the project.

H Tender Action Identification and evaluation of potential contractors and/ or specialists for the project. Obtaining and appraising tenders; submission for recommendations to the client.

J Mobilisation Letting the building contract, appointing the contractor. Issuing of information to the contractor. Arranging site hand over to the contractor.

K Construction to Practical Completion Administration of the building contract to Practical Completion. Provision to the contractor of further information as and when reasonably required. Review of information provided by contractors and specialists.

L Post Practical Completion Administration of the building contract after Practical Completion and making final inspections. Assisting building user during initial occupation period. Review of project performance in use.