Services
1. Site & Building surveys and Site Suitability Tests:
Typically surveys are carried out for the purposes of carrying out works to a building/structure/site or for preparation of a planning application. They can include all aspects of a particular site or structure. With great emphasis being placed on the contribution of treatment systems to ground water pollution site assessment tests are very important assessments in the preparation for any project going forward.
2. Land Registry Mapping:
Whenever a land holding or structure is sold or sub-divided adjustments may need to be made to the land registry maps and these changes can be made by an Architect (in the company). Here this work may be combined with a land or Building survey to verify exactly the conditions on the ground.
3. Dilapidation and Condition Surveys:
A Dilapidation survey is where a detailed analysis is taken of a building or structure, which is being modified or is beside a site where construction will take place. It is a legal record where disputes regarding damage to existing structures are concerned either during or after construction has being completed. A general condition survey is generally an assessment of an existing structure before detailed design work is carried out or before a structure is demolished, or just to access what can be done with a particular structure. It is generally drafted as a matter of fact. It may not contain any recommendations.
4. Valuation, Property and Repossession Reports:
Valuation reports are generally an analysis of a property on a visual basis only and give a valuation of the property in terms of site value (under the current market conditions at that time) and the cost of re-constructing the property (generally buildings) for insurance purposes. Property reports are generally carried out for clients who are considering purchasing a particular property; and need to have a visual inspection by an expert in the field to better advise them on the condition of the property and its possible value. Again this inspection would be on a visual basis only to keep costs down as the client may not sure that the purchase will go through. Repossession Reports are carried out for generally for financial institutions when that institution repossesses property. This can be quite a detailed report depending on the circumstances and the property involved.
5. Feasibility Studies:
Feasibility Studies report that outlines the feasibility to carry out architectural work (construction, renovation, extensions, etc.) on a certain project. It will assess the existing context, analyze the project potential and suggests a series of design solutions. The report will produce a set of conclusions outlining the different potential strategies and their budgetary implications.
6. Financial Appraisals:
Here a full appraisal of a proposed project is carried out to ascertain the likely construction and other related costs including consultant fees. This report will be carried out by an Architect (in the company) and often in conjunction with a quantity surveyor/other relevant consultant.
7. Mortgage Valuations:
Mortgage valuations are usually carried out by the Architect during the construction phase as various stages of the work to allow the relevant client in question to draw down stage payments from their mortgage loan. It is best that the valuations are carried out in conjunction with a building contract and it is usually carried out as part of the full Architectural Services provided by an Architect. If carried out separately the Architect can generally only comment specifically on the value of the work carried out at that particular date.
8. Local Area Plans & Urban Framework Plans:
Local Area Plans & Urban Framework Plans are conceived as a document to be the catalyst for cooperative action in a certain town between the County Council and the local population/stakeholders. Typically there are three stages in such a project: 1) the analysis (with extensive public consultation) of the town’s morphology, topography, infrastructure & policy context, 2) a set of objectives (conservation, regeneration & development) and 3) a series of local actions & projects. This report aspires to produce a dynamic framework for development and growth.
9. Planning Submissions (Including Architectural Conservation):
These submissions generally refer to the documents that are submitted by the Architect to fulfill the requirements of a Planning Application under the relevant Planning Acts 2000 & 2002. However it also includes submissions for additional information requests by the Planning Authority or Pre-planning consultations etc.
10. Planning Appeals:
Planning Appeals are carried out for either 1st or 3rd party persons to a particular planning application decision. An appeal can be carried out by the Architect, (on behalf of a client) against either a decision to grant or a decision to refuse Permission in a particular situation by the relevant Planning Authority.
11. Fire Safety Certificate Applications:
A Fire Safety Certificate Application is carried out to (i) obtain a valid Fire Safety Certificate for a particular building and (ii) to calculate the most efficient solution to comply with the relevant Building regulations at that time (specifically part B).
12. Opinions on Compliance for: Planning and Building Regulations:
These documents are prepared by the Architect when a construction project is complete to provide evidence for use by the client that the works are in compliance with the various statuary instruments applicable at that time. If the Architect was not employed for the construction/on site operations of the project, it may be more difficult to prepare. In this case a more limited document will be produced. In the case of an existing building the situation is more complicated by the fact that different regulations were in vogue at the time of buildings initial construction. A building may be exempt from regulation if it was build before a particular date. Here an exemption certificate is issued. This may also be issued for minor works, which are also exempt from the various statuary instruments.
13. Project Management:
Here the Architect is employed directly to specifically manage a project, rather than the usual situation where project management is specifically the role carried out by the main contractor. Clients may choose this option where many contractors are involved or where an extremely tight focus on budget control is required. Again the Architect may carry out this work in conjunction with other specific consultants.
14. Scheme Design:
This is usually included within full design services (see below). However many clients request work on the project which includes this service only as a previous outline proposal may have been completed earlier and the project may be sold on. It is all up to the particular circumstance and project in question.
15. Tender Reports:
Here the Architect is employed by a specific client to report on the tender of a specific contractor (usually the lowest tender received). This work is usually carried out a s part of a Full Design service. However there are many situations where
16. Full Design Services (Following RIAI guidelines):
This is where the Practice offers a full architectural service from project inception to completion. The breakdown of the stages and the work included in each stage depends on whether the project is a Commercial or Domestic Project.
17. Interior Design:
This generally takes place where the main construction work or building shell is complete and a fit-out is required. It can also be combined with a full design service above to extend the Architectural services to cover this aspect of a Building Design and execute the interior design in much greater detail.
18. Furniture Design:
This can include anything from fitted furniture to loose furniture. Architect’s have designed some of the most famous furniture in the world.
19. Graphic Design:
Graphic Design deals with the aspect of presentation of information in the form of logos, posters, brochures and reports in such a way that it promotes the projects core idea’s and general philosophy.
20. Health & Safety Plans:
These are prepared by the Project Supervisor Design Stage in preliminary form, and by the Project Supervisor Construction Stage in full form. This is now a requirement for most construction projects above a certain threshold size. The Architect is often employed to prepare these plans. More information can be found at www.hsa.ie
21. Advanced 3D Modelling & BIM:
Advanced 3D modelling & photomontage involves the creation of a 3-dimensional virtual model of objects and architectural projects. From this model the following can be produced: interior & exterior views, virtual walk-through, sun studies, panoramas & 2 dimensional graphic representations. Photomontage is a realistic rendering (computer generated image of the model) integrated and perfectly blended into a photograph.
22. Expert Witness & General services for Law firms:
This is where the Architect attends a court hearing to give expert advice to the court on behalf of one or more parties to the relevant action. Obviously this advice will be related to Planning, Building control, Enforcement Actions etc. This would also include the preparation of Affidavits.
23. Site potential analysis:
Site potential analysis analyses the potential for development on any given site. It will study the site constraints (planning, topography, geology & other) and suggest certain patterns of development highlighting the types of uses, the levels of density and the provision of amenities. This stage involves the creation of a preliminary masterplan and a 3-dimensional visualisation.
24. Master planning:
This is a further evolution of a site potential analysis. It will produce a comprehensive set of urban design objectives and strategies and provide a detailed site layout plan. This plan will identify the road infrastructure, landmarks, public open spaces, boundary treatments, plot divisions, building lines, the provision of public furniture, and the scale of buildings.
25. As built drawings:
These are produced for existing buildings whether new or not; for various uses but most importantly for inclusion in Health & Safety Plans.
26. Submissions to Statutory Bodies and Specific Funding Agencies:
- An Bord Pleanala
- Local Authorities & Other bodies
- Dept. of Environment Heritage and Local Government
- Dept. of Education and Science
- The Heritage Council
- Office of Public Works
- Health Service Executive
- Specific Financial Institutions
27. Developer specific services (through Building Information Modelling (BIM)):
As one of the few architectural firms to offer both an architectural and macro urban design (or Town Planning) package the firm is perfectly positioned to offer developers a total turnkey solution for large urban schemes where tight integration with development plans, local area plans and local authority requirements is required.
It is much more efficient to have the same firm dealing with the macro moves at the Urban Design level in conjunction with the micro moves of designing each individual building or block. This ensures the tightest coordination possible, saves time and therefore money. And again remember all our work is carried out using BIM.
28. Project Grant Funding Applications:
As one of the most experienced practices in Ireland in terms of helping to successfully source grant funding for Client projects the Practice is uniquely positioned to help in this regard.
This is across the spectrum from Building Energy upgrading, Community Gain, Business Supports, Sports Capital and for Local Authorities and NGB’s within the Large Sports Infrastructure Schemes etc. The Practice can do the entire application or help on strategic parts or simply advise or review completed applications.
Projects associated with the practice have received millions of Euro of supports over the years.
29. Urban Framework Plans:
Local Area Plans & Urban Framework Plans are conceived in the context of towns, villages or neighbourhoods in need of regeneration.
This process is a catalyst for cooperative action between the County Council and the local population / stakeholders.
Typically there are a number of stages in such a project:
- Analysis of the town’s morphology, topography, infrastructure & policy context
- Public consultation
- Establishment of a set of objectives dealing with conservation, regeneration & development and defining a Vision for the town or village
- Establishment a series of local actions & projects
- Final Public consultation, presentation of draft report
- Production of a final report
The Urban framework is an extensive document (text-based with a number of illustrations) that aspires to produce a dynamic framework for development and growth. Local Area Plans & Urban Framework Plans are benefitting both the local community and the local authority.
It provides a solid framework for planners in order to assess planning applications, provide development ideas and community projects for the local population and create a positive vision for a town.
Statutory Clients of Cummins + Voortman Ltd in this context include many Irish Local Authorities including Fingal Co. Co, Wexford Co. Co., Westmeath Co. Co., etc.
30. Master Planning:
The need for Master Planning arises in the context of increased recognized importance of Urban Design in large-scale developments. This process will provide a solid framework on which to base future planning applications. A number of stages can be identified as follows:
- Assessment of the environmental, physical, economical, social and planning context
- Establishment of a design statement and design brief outlining the potential development capacity and Urban Design objectives. Establishment of an overall Development Vision.
- Translation of Vision into a detailed development framework with the creation of a public realm spatial structure / urban morphology, a selection of appropriate uses and infrastructure.
- Implementation and phasing, outlining a development schedule
The Master Plan produces a concise written report summarising the development policies and phasing over time. It is accompanied by a plan defining the finer grain of the urban framework at the scale of the urban plot.
The Master Plan defines the location of buildings, footpaths, roads and open spaces. The latest technologies are employed that will ensure comprehensive two-dimensional and three-dimensional visualisation of the plan.
The outcome provides a high degree of certainty for developers in the planning policy context. Cummins + Voortman are extensively experienced and uniquely positioned to provide this service.
The above is not exhaustive – please feel free to contact us with your specific requirements.