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Domestic Design  Services

 
 
 
 
Brief Summary - Downstairs v2 copy.jpg

The home has always been more than just a place of shelter - it’s where we spend most of our lives, shaping routines, relationships, and memories. In recent years, the way we live and work has transformed dramatically, redefining what a home needs to be. With the rise of remote work and flexible lifestyles, as well as increasing economic and environmental pressures, domestic spaces are under more pressure to balance comfort, efficiency and adaptability than ever before. From compact urban apartments and co-living spaces to integrated home offices and multi-generational homes, domestic architecture is continuously evolving and adapting. 

 

At TJA, we recognise that home holds a different meaning for everyone. As such, we begin each project by identifying the unique constraints, opportunities, and user needs before exploring design solutions that carefully balance cost, time and quality. We believe that the process of creating or adapting your home should be exciting and rewarding and prioritise working collaboratively with our clients.

 

Our services can be easily adapted to suit any size and type of project, from internal reconfiguration and repair, to retrofit, extension or new-build. We can offer whole-house design thinking, support throughout statutory processes, provide project management and carry out construction supervision. 

 

We maintain a commitment to promoting a sustainable agenda in all our projects and aim to integrate strategies to improve energy efficiency as well as occupant comfort and health as part of any domestic project.​

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See one of our home projects here...

 

RIBA Stage 1

Preparation and Briefing

 

  • Ask the right questions to understand your needs and ambitions.

  • Help you procure a measured building survey and produce a set of existing drawings.

  • Produce photo survey of all areas relevant to the project. 

  • Define strategy for pricing the works. Identify project costs and resources required at different work stages.

  • Assess the heritage setting, planning considerations and planning precedent. Define strategy for securing statutory consents. Review title deed.

  • Define key milestones and plan work. 

 

RIBA Stage 2

Concept Design

 

  • Appraise site constraints and opportunities. Reviews with you to define ‘Client Requirements’ and vision.

  • Produce design options and conclude with a set of general arrangement drawings at 1:100 with key measurements and key materials described. 

  • Create moodboard of reference imagery for key areas.

  • Produce schedule with which to seek outline cost advice by others. 

  • Advise on available funding that your project may be eligible for.

  • Identify and arrange any site investigations that may be required. 

  • Seek pre-app advice from the local planning authority, ahead of submitting a planning application.  

  • Advise you about duties under BR & CDM (health and safety). 

RIBA Stage 3

Design to Planning

  • Develop concept drawings into full set of general arrangement drawings at 1:100 with key measurements and materials described.

  • Prepare a Design & Access Statement to explain the design thinking to the planners. 

  • Prepare a planning application form and submit planning documents. 

  • Support you in securing additional assessments or documentation if required e.g daylight assessment, tree survey, ecology survey, etc.

RIBA Stage 4

Technical Design

 

  • Develop the planning-approved drawings into tender drawings that can be priced by builders. 

  • Develop a design specification, outlining building materials, systems and components.

  • Support you in arranging a party wall survey if required.

  • Discharge any planning conditions as required.

  • Support you in providing documentation for any funding applications.

  • Prepare pre-construction information as required under BR & CDM (health and safety). 

RIBA Stage 5

Construction & Project Management 

 
 

  • Support you in the process of choosing a builder.

  • Support you in choosing and administering a building contract.

  • Develop the pricing drawings into a construction drawing set.

  • Depending on the building contract, fulfil the role of Principal Designer and provide builder and homeowner with information as appropriate under CDM regulations.

  • Depending on the building contract, follow on-site progress and respond to any queries the builder might have regarding the drawings or specification.

 

Let’s Talk​

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Are you looking for some initial advice about a project? We'd be delighted to chat and suggest ways forward. Talking points typically include:

  • Project milestones

  • Costs and resourcing

  • Planning queries

  • Site challenges and opportunities

  • Conflicting requirements

  • General curiosity

 

Please feel free to get in touch by calling us or emailing us. Details below.​​​​

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