You may be considering an extension, alteration, conversion or more substantial transformation of your home, but want to understand what is realistically achievable before committing to detailed design work.
An early appraisal or feasibility study can help identify the opportunities within the existing building and its setting, as well as potential planning, heritage and other constraints.
This can be particularly valuable with older, unusual or listed properties, where the character and history of the building may be an important part of understanding what changes could be appropriate.
Finding a building suitable for conversion can take time, and you may need to consider several properties before finding the right opportunity.
This is particularly important with barns and agricultural buildings, where planning constraints, heritage considerations and the character of the existing structure can all influence what may be achievable. Before committing to a purchase, a Site Appraisal can provide an architectural assessment of the building’s potential and the issues that may need to be considered.
Whether you are a homeowner considering changes to your property, a prospective purchaser assessing a building, or a developer looking at a potential site, David will assess its potential, identify possible issues and highlight opportunities.
A Site Appraisal can be undertaken before any drawings are produced. The level of input can be tailored to the requirements of the client and the individual site.
For clients considering a barn conversion, this early advice can provide clarity on whether a building has genuine potential before committing to a purchase, design work or further investment.
For existing homeowners, it can provide an opportunity to understand what changes might be possible and how the existing building and its setting could be transformed.
A Feasibility Study is a stand-alone piece of architectural work that helps you understand whether a proposed project is worth pursuing before committing to the more significant costs of detailed design and construction.
This can be valuable whether you already own the property or are considering buying it.
You may have an idea for an extension, alteration, conversion or new home, but need to understand whether the idea is realistic before committing to a full architectural commission.
David will undertake initial investigations into the possibilities of a site and, where appropriate, explore outline design options and different approaches to the project.
The purpose of a feasibility assessment is to establish a clear understanding of the opportunities and constraints before progressing into more detailed architectural work.
It can help you decide whether to proceed, what approach to take and what further investigations may be required.
Not every project will ultimately go ahead.
Sometimes a feasibility study confirms that a proposed project is viable and gives the client the confidence to move forward. In other cases, it may show that the project is unlikely to provide the result the client is looking for, allowing a decision to be made before committing substantially more time and investment.
Either way, the feasibility study provides useful information on which to base that decision.
The work is therefore a stand-alone service, with no obligation to proceed to further architectural services.
Where a project does proceed, the feasibility study can provide a useful foundation for moving into the recognised RIBA Plan of Work stages.
Where it does not, the client has still gained a clearer understanding of the property, the possibilities and the constraints.
A Site Appraisal is an early assessment of a property’s or site’s potential. It is particularly useful when you want to understand the opportunities and constraints before deciding what to do next.
A Feasibility Study takes the investigation further, exploring a particular project or development idea and,where appropriate, considering initial design options.
Both are stand-alone services and the appropriate level of investigation will depend on the property, the project and what you need to know before deciding how to proceed.
Fees are agreed as lump sums before work begins and are dependent on the size and complexity of the potential project and the level of detail required.
This provides clarity from the outset, allowing clients to understand the scope of the appraisal or feasibility service before making a commitment.
You do not need to know whether you want to proceed with a project before commissioning a feasibility study. The purpose of the study is to help you make that decision. For homeowners, this might mean understanding whether an extension, alteration or conversion is worth pursuing.
For prospective purchasers, it can mean investigating the potential of a property before committing to buy.
For developers and self-builders, it can provide an early understanding of whether a site is capable of supporting the intended development.
In every case, the objective is the same: to give you a better understanding of the opportunity before you commit to the next stage.
If you decide to continue, the appraisal or feasibility study can provide a strong foundation for progressing into the recognised RIBA Plan of Work stages for designing and procuring construction projects.
David is happy to host meetings in many formats depending on your requirements, in person, virtually, by phone or by email.
Considering a barn conversion or unsure whether a site has potential?
Contact David to discuss whether a site appraisal or feasibility assessment is the right next step for your project.
To find out more please contact David.
If you’re looking for a specialist barn conversion architect in the UK, contact David Nossiter Architects to discuss your project and planning strategy.
Get in touch to arrange an initial discussion.