Our design ethos

We understand the value of great design, and how to make it a reality. Our years of expericence of working in Architectural Design and Building Control, gives you the client unrivalled support to guide you through your project.

What we do

Following the RIBA design stages, we provide a collaborative friendly approach to the architectural process. Whether you are looking for interior design, an abundance of natural light, or to turn your world green and leafy! We’d love to work with you to make your ideas a reality.

We offer a bespoke service through all work stages, from briefing and concept design, through to completion.

Planning & Permitted development

RIBA work stages 0-3

Where you are looking for a developed design, or to obtain permitted development or planning permission for your project, we can tailor the process to your requirements.

What’s Included:

  • Compiling your brief
  • Concept Design
  • Planning Approval
Tresco Road - Peckham - The Next Sketch

Detailed design

RIBA work stages 0-4

This includes everything you’ll need to approach contractors to get an accurate cost for the building works.

What’s Included:

  • Planning Approval
  • Detailed drawings
  • Schedule of works
  • Building control approval

Additional costs

In order to produce a set of working drawings for a builder or contractor, the design will need to be reviewed by a number of other professionals. These would typically consist of a Structural Engineer and an Approved Building Control Inspector. However the following list of consultants are some, or all, that may be required:

  • Measured Survey 
  • Structural Engineer 
  • Building Control 
  • Planning Consultant
  • Heritage Consultant
  • Party Wall Surveyor 
  • CDM Consultant

It’s common that clients are not always aware of these costs before embarking on a project. Factors such as project size and complexity will effect the cost for these services. We have consultants we trust and use, and can put you in touch. However should you wish to source them on your own that is fine.

 

Client FAQs

Questions our clients often ask us. If we’ve missed anything feel free to get in touch.

The fees will vary depending on the size and complexity of your project, but is charged on a lump sum basis. This will be based on the scope of design, clearly defined from the start of the project, and discussed at the initial consultation. This will give you a sense of certainty that the overall cost of your project will not increase. However if the time scale, size or estimated construction cost of the project is subject to any major changes, the fee may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Any other additional work required, not included in the lump sum agreement, will be charged at an additional cost.

Brief

After an initial consultation we will develop and outline your brief with your input. During this stage we will also discuss your budget and will advise on any additional specialist consultants that may need to be appointed prior to planning.

I.e Structural Engineer, Party Wall Surveyor, Approved Inspectors

Concept Design & Measured Survey

We can help to arrange this for you, ensuring that we gather all the information required. During this stage we will finalise your project brief and produce a number of initial concept studies for your review. This will include sketch 3D views, plans and precedent images.

Read more on what is a Measured Survey

Outline Scheme

We will meet to discuss the initial designs and agree an outline scheme. During this time we will compile precedent images of similar projects, and develop the material palette.

Developed Design

We will develop the outline scheme in more detail and prepare a set of drawings suitable for a planning submission or Lawful Development Certificate. We will also prepare a Design & Access Statement to accompany the drawings, explaining how the proposed development is a suitable response for the site.

If required, we will prepare the information for a pre-application. Any additional amendments, as a result of the pre-app process, will be charged hourly with prior agreement.

Planning Submission

Once you are happy with the final scheme, we will submit a planning application, or Certificate of Lawfulness, via the Planning Portal. The submission will include all of the required completed forms, reports, drawings, and the Design & Access Statement. Once submitted you will receive a notification to make the necessary payment, either online or by phone.

You can carry out certain types of construction work without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called ‘permitted development rights’.

However, in some areas these rights are restricted, and permitted development rights that apply to many common projects for houses do not apply to flats, maisonettes or other buildings.

We will be able to advise you if your project falls under Permitted Development, once the brief has been established.

This depends on the type of application. Once we have defined your brief, we will be able to inform you on the application type.

Your Local Authority will state the fees for each application type on their website planning page, or you can use the Planning Portal :-

> Fee Calculator.

Once we have submitted the planning application through the Planning Portal you will receive an email with a link to pay the application fees

Pre-application is an informal meeting with the Local Planning Authority, prior to a full planning application submission, often done via email for smaller projects.

Requirement for a pre-application process will be dependent on the scale of your project, if the site is located within a certain area, such as a conservation area, or if the building is recognised with any merit, for example listed. This early advice is available to help assess if a planning application will be approved further down the line.

A Design and Access statement is submitted to the Local Authority as part of your planning application. The size of the report will be dependent on the complexity your project.

For most home extensions this is a simple document which includes a review of the local context and relevant planning polices, and demonstrates the key design principles and concept for your project.

A Lawful Development Certificate is not a legal requirement but proves to both your local authority and any future buyers that, if a planning application was not required, the construction works you have completed was legal.

Client feedback

“We came to Natasha at Next Sketch to re-design and extend our dated family home in South-East London which had suffered from two low-quality “bolt on” extensions. Natasha has been absolutely brilliant and we couldn’t be happier with the result.

Over the course of initial meetings she gained an understanding of our needs, presented numerous layout options and challenged us to think ambitiously about the design and to invest in the areas that our family would gain the most enjoyment from (for us the kitchen!!).

As first-time renovators we felt completely at ease working with Natasha, who carefully guided us through the process from design, planning, detailed drawings and tender. She consistently went above and beyond to answer our questions, mock up (many!) layout/design/material options and suggest options/trade-offs to stay within budget. Throughout the process she integrated smoothly with our structural engineers and other suppliers.

We would highly recommend if you’re looking for an architect to kick-start your renovation.”

– Richard Kingdom – Tresco Road.

More reviews on Google

Consultation

Want to start your design journey with The Next Sketch? We’d love to hear from you!

Please complete the consultation request form below or email us at hello@thenextsketch.com we’d be happy to help.