FAQ
What are the key steps of the design, documentation, and construction process?
As an established and experienced architectural firm, Centrum offer considerable skill and expertise to each step of the project. For a typical project, the steps consist of the following:
1. Return Brief / Needs & Options Review
2. Sketch & Schematic design
3. Town Planning or Siting Dispensation Approval (If Required)
4. Integrated Interior Design and Detailed Design
5. Contract Documentation/Working Drawings
6. Tendering and vetting of Quotations and co-ordinating the Building Permit issue
7. Contract Administration, commonly called Project Management.
At Centrum, we believe that the Return Brief / Needs & Options Review is the most important step because it provides the foundational thinking that everything else builds upon.
In this process, we do the thorough research and analysis up front before jumping into design solutions. It sets the whole project on solid footings, giving you a clear understanding of needs, opportunities, risks, process, time and costs.
What is included as part of the Needs & Options Review?
The Needs and Options Report contains:
- All your needs & wants, goals and objectives (called the Return Brief)
- All our research and observations on your site with expert analysis by a registered Architect based on our experience on working on 100s of homes over our 30+ years,
- Recommendations on potential options,
- Budget analysis for the project options supported by opinions of probable cost derived from your needs and wants, including budget allowances for consultant and authority fees,
- A realistic project timeline/plan
What is the process for carrying out a Needs & Options Review?
The process for our Needs & Options Review consists of the following:
Completion of an initial short questionnaire.
Meeting (at our office or online) to conduct a detailed evaluation of the aspirations, needs, goals and objectives for the project, and what a successful outcome would look like to you,
After our meeting, we then do some desktop research and analysis to gain a thorough understanding of the project risks, the site and its constraints, encompassing a review of the title, site services infrastructure, local authority planning controls and building regulations.
We then visit the proposed site to verify our desktop research, analyse and observe the existing conditions and take records.
After this, we have all the information we need for expert analysis and can then assemble a report on recommendations and potential options.
We email you the Needs & Options Report for you to review and prepare any questions you may have for us.
Finally, we meet with you again at our office to run through the Needs and Options Report, address any questions, confirm the appropriate option and get started.
What locations do you offer your services?
Centrum Architects are based in Melbourne, however we provide architectural services across Metropolitan Melbourne, regional Victoria and Interstate. We have recently completed services in locations including Richmond, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Geelong, Ballarat, Yinnar and Albury.