FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Chartered Architectural Technologist?

We at A1 Architecture Ltd as Chartered Architectural Technologists, (someone who holds the designation MCIAT), are qualified to offer design services and manage projects from inception to completion.

 

They lead the technological design of a project; forming the link between concept, innovation and realisation.

 

For further details click here.

What is the difference between a Chartered Architectural Technologist and an Architect?

Chartered Architectural Technologists and Architects are qualified and competent to lead construction projects from design through to completion. The difference is within the specialisms that they will bring to a project.

 

Chartered Architectural Technologists’ training and emphasis is the science and technology of architecture and architects’ training, and emphasis is the design and philosophy of architecture.

 

Whilst both disciplines have their own distinct training and specialism, there is considerable overlap between the two professions.

 

Those who practice Architectural Technology as a career are Chartered Architectural Technologists, MCIAT.

 

For further details click here

What are Statutory Approvals?

“Statutory approvals” is an expression which usually refers to the need to obtain planning permission and building regulations approval for your proposed work.

 

We as Chartered Architectural Technologists can advise you if those, or other, approvals are required for your project.

 

Where appropriate we will prepare the relevant plans and applications on your behalf as part of the design services.

 

Other consents or actions may also be required by law, depending on your type of project.

 

Examples are the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and the Party Wall etc Act 1996.

Will A1A ensure that I obtain Planning Permission and/or Building Regulations?

We at A1 Architecture Ltd will take all necessary and appropriate steps to prepare the relevant plans and applications required by your Local Authority Planning and Building Control Authorities.

 

However, it is the Local Authority Planning Committee who decides whether planning permission will be granted for any project, and it is the Local Building Control Authority or Approved Inspector who decides whether building regulations approval will be granted.

 

A1 Architecture Ltd – ultimately has no control over whether the statutory approvals are granted, there can be no guarantee of approval.

 

It should be remembered that these applications attract charges for which you would be responsible, and there may be further inspection charges under the building regulations.

 

They are normally separate to the charges for professional services.

Why would I need to employ other professionals for my building project?

Many building projects call for specialist advice from other professionals working in the construction industry such as a structural engineer, a quantity surveyor, an energy consultant and a CDM Principal Designer (required for large projects).

 

With your Chartered Architectural Technologist, they would work together as a team on your project. For example:

 

  • A structural engineer might prepare structural drawings and undertake calculations for foundations and for load bearing beams.

 

  • A quantity surveyor may be employed to provide cost estimates to check whether a project is viable before involving a builder and, once the building works are underway, a quantity surveyor can keep a check upon the cost of the work that has been undertaken by the builder and keep a check on the cost of any additional work carried out by the builder.

 

  • An energy consultant may be required to ensure that the building complies with acceptable energy efficiency requirements.

 

  • A CDM Principal Designer would have overall responsibility for coordinating the health and safety aspects of the design and its integration with the building work.

 

For further details click here

How do I find out who my Local Planning Authority is?

To find your Local Planning Authority click here

What is Permitted Development?

You can perform certain types of work without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called “permitted development rights”.

 

They derive from a general planning permission granted not by the local authority but by Government.

 

Bear in mind that the permitted development rights which apply to many common projects for houses do not apply to flats, maisonettes or other buildings.

 

Similarly, commercial properties have different permitted development rights to dwellings.

 

For further details click here

What is Prior Approval?

Certain types of development are granted planning permission by national legislation without the need to submit a planning application. This is known as ‘Permitted Development’.

 

In order to be eligible for these permitted development rights, each ‘Class’ specified in the legislation has associated limitations and conditions that proposals must comply with.

 

For further details click here

How do I find out who my Local Building Control Authority?

To find your local Building Control Authority click here

What are the Building Regulations?

The building regulations help ensure that new buildings, conversions, renovations and extensions (domestic or commercial) are going to be safe, healthy and high-performing.

 

Detailed regulations cover specific topics including: structural integrity, fire protection, accessibility, energy performance, acoustic performance, protection against falls, electrical and gas safety, and security.

 

They also lay standards for drains, ventilation, protection against the ingress of water and protection against contamination including methane and radon gas.

 

For further details click here

What type of design service can your Chartered Practice Provide?

The nature and scope of our design services are matters for agreement between you and our Practice.

 

However, design services for construction works to a domestic property, for example, usually include the preparation of plans and drawings for the proposed works and preparation of the specification as outlined in our Scope of Works.

 

The specification normally sets out:

 

  • How the works should be constructed
  • The nature of the materials to be used
  • The standards required of the builder.

We will discuss your design requirements with you and can advise upon the type and quality of materials for use in the proposed work.

Would you supply me CAD format files (i.e. AutoCAD or similar)?
Generally NO…
 
The Ownership of the copyright in the plans rests with the organisation which created them – A1 Architecture Ltd, UNLESS there is a PRIOR ASSIGNMENT OF THEM IN WRITING.
 
If you DON’T have a WRITTEN assignment you’ll have to buy the rights to use them.
Assignment of copyright from a contractor to a customer MUST be in writing.
 
However should you have employed A1 Architecture Ltd to produce ALL the drawings and successfully obtained planning and building regs approval AND with no outstanding Fees, we can sell an assignment for a extra fee equal to the total design fee paid.
 
However, should you only have employed A1 Architecture Ltd just to produce the Planning Drawings but NOT the Building Regs / Working drawings, the additional assignment fee would be charged as an extra equal to the total design fee to complete all the work.
 
But on the other hand, if have only employed A1 Architecture Ltd just to produce the Survey Drawings but NOT any other drawings, the additional assignment fee would be an extra fee equal to the survey fee. 
 
To clarify, the design fees that you pay are for a licence for the paper or PDF drawings ONLY and for your sole use.
Can you just provide me with working drawings and make a Building Regulations submission?
Yes, but please note the following:
 
The design is a step by step process, i.e.
  • Firstly a measured survey
  • Followed by the scheme design
  • And then the detail design
To produce a detailed design will still incur the costs of producing a survey model and scheme design BEFORE we can start to produce the working drawings.
 
Therefore, the fee we would charge would include for the previous two stages, we cannot just charge you a fee for the Detail Design Stage as a stand alone fee.
Do I need Planning Permission?

For further details click here

Do I need Building Regulations Approval?

For further details click here.

How much does a Planning Application cost?

For details of Planning Application Fees for Gloucester City click here.

How do I open your 3D model on my devices?

For information on how to open your BIMx model on your smartphone or desktop, click here

How do I experience VR using my phone?

Firstly open the free BIMx app and select your project. Tap to view your 3D home, then tap the three dots at the top and select the cardboard VR option. This will open up a view to be compatible to the google cardboard provided.

 

Use the trigger at the top of the viewer to select between either an option to walk around or all the pre-defined views of your project.

 

Once you’ve started to move, look in the direction of where you want to move, and tap to stop moving.

 

Adjust the speed by selecting 1x, 2x or 3x, 

How do I access my Project Hub?

Once you have registered as a client, you will be provided with a unique secure password which would allow you to access your Client Project Hub, where you can access all your documents, which would include all your drawings, copies of your submission forms and certificates and approvals.

 

In addition, all your contract documents, progress bar, invoices and statements can be accessed at any time.

What are your design fees?

For a detailed breakdown of our Design Fees and your Statutory Fees for the following Projects:


Measured Building Surveys – click here


House Extensions – click here


Flat Conversions – click here


New Build Homes – click here

A1 Frequently asked questions