Business & Property Analysis

This initial exercise is pivotal in finding out all we need to know about your organisation and your premises. We discuss your Business or Corporate Plan, Marketing Strategy or Mission Statement so that we know exactly how your business should be perceived by your customers or clients. Other questions:-

• do you have competitors we need to consider?
• If so, do we need to investigate your competition on your behalf, perhaps incognito?
• do you need to continue trading if we are refurbishing existing premises?

We need to know all about your property, its facilities and its restrictions. For example:-

• is there a ventilated air system?
• Is the electrical supply “single” or “three phase”?
• How strong is the mains water supply?
• Is the property in a Conservation Area or Listed?

Feasibility Studies

Having established the physical limitations of your building we can look at the possible configurations of the space. Following analysis of your business, we look at:-

• how your staff need to interact with each other and the public they are serving
• individual workstation requirements
• safe circulation of people at busy times
• emergency egress of premises

The principles of space efficiency and productivity are always addressed before visual considerations.

Concept Designs

This is all about what we see. It takes just a few seconds to gain a first impression, be it:-

• a “wow” factor in a restaurant
• a sense of calm in a dental practice
• a feeling of confidence in a professional consultancy

Having identified your target market, we design what we think meets and then exceeds the expectations of that market. If you have a theme in mind, we will work with you, interpret it and make sure it will work in practice.

We convey our concepts through 2D drawings, sketches and hand-drawn 3D visuals. An implementation price guide is usually included at this stage.

 An example of a Concept Design is the Enterprise Diner in Eastbourne. The first photo is of the café before refurbishment, the visual is of our concept and the second photo is of the café after refurbishment.

Design Development & Specification

Once a design concept has been presented, there will invariably be changes made, either through design preferences or financial constraints, or both.

When a direction has been agreed, we will develop the design and specification up to the standard necessary for obtaining implementation bids from contractors.

Your design will be developed in line with all current legislation including Building Regulations, Construction (Design & Management) Regulations, Health & Safety and Disability Discrimination Act.

Project Management

As a progression of the design process, we will draw up an implementation programme around your operational needs. We will interview contractors and suppliers to quote against the specification.

We will happily be part of or create a team with other professional disciplines if their input is needed e.g. architect, structural engineer, mechanical & electrical engineer. Our objectives will be to ensure your project runs smoothly, is completed on time and within budget.

Interior Audits & Refurbishment Strategies

Through many years of experience, we have learnt what is durable and what isn’t in a contract interior. An Interior Refurbishment Strategy will itemise the condition and likely lifespan of a commercial interior’s elements – flooring, contract furniture, drapes, décor and lighting. A Strategy will recommend a rolling programme of replacements and improvements to be funded in successive financial years. This service has been used mainly in the hospitality and public sectors.

Project Management

We are happy to manage the implementation of a project on site and each job is different with its own challenges.

Full project management would involve overseeing work on site on a regular basis, liaising with contractors and other consultants that may be involved.

More frequently, we are asked to monitor just the specialist items we have designed, e.g. the building of a bar or reception desk or the ordering of a bespoke carpet or wallcovering.