top of page

RESIDENTIAL

D A T H A N N A    A r c h i t e c t u r e

. . . .    r e s i d e n t i a l    p r o j e c t s . . . . 

Dathanna Architecture will assist on a wide range of residential projects, covering all project stages, and provide a service under the RIAI Client Architect Agreement for Domestic Works.  Our role is not just to provide you with a set of drawings, but is also to guide you through the planning process, obtain quotations for works, manage consultants (surveyors, engineers etc), monitor the budget and act as administrator of the construction contract.

 

SCALE OF PROJECTS

We undertake projects of all scales, from internal re-modelling and reorganisation of your existing dwelling, provide advice and design with regard to energy upgrade works, attic conversions, renovations, extensions and new-build design projects.  

 

If your dwelling is a protected structure we will also advise on your obligations as an owner or occupier.  Planning permission is needed for works carried out on a protected structure that would materially affect its character.  This means that many types of work, which in another building would be considered exempt development, may not be exempted where the building is a protected structure.

 

C O N T A C T    U S    T O D A Y

... tell us a bit about your project and we will get back to you to arrange an appointment ...

PROJECT INCEPTION

From the inception of your project, Dathanna Architecture will carry out a site visit and discuss the initial aims of the project, assisting with the setting out of your design brief in accordance with the project budget.

 

FEASIBILITY STUDIES / INITIAL & DETAIL DESIGN PHASES

We will work with clients to develop the initial brief and translate your requirements into a design proposal/s.  There is generally quite a lot of discussion in finalising this stage, with designs starting out as initial sketches working up to two-dimensional plans, elevations / sections and three dimensional models, photomontages, moodboards etc.  This is carried out in order to finalise the layout of spaces, materials and renewable energy sources.  This is assessed against your timescale and project budget, and at this stage we will advise on additional consultants required. 

 

STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS AND PERMISSIONS

We engage in pre-planning consultations, advise on the requirement for planning permission and section 5 (exempt development declarations), or in the case of a protected structure, section 57 declarations, and prepare submissions for the relavant planning authorities.

 

PSDP / PSCS

From 1st August 2013, it is the clients obligation to appoint a Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and Construction Stage (PSCS). 

The PSDP must coordinate safety and health issues in the design of a building and its subsequent maintenance.  The PSDP must prepare a preliminary safety plan which must include the base in which time the project was established, risk assessments by other designers, location of electricity, water and sewage connections, where appropriate for adequate welfare facilities.

This is an additional service which Dathanna Architecture provide, with Alan holding an accreditation from the RIAI to act in the role as PSDP. 

 

The PSCS must coordinate the safety and health aspects of the construction stage and prior to construction must prepare the Safety and Health plan.

 

 

 

TENDERING

We will advise on the most suitable building contract to use, recommend a list of building contractors / specialists / suppliers as required for the works, and prepare a detailed architectural specification and accompanying drawings to enable your project to be priced by a building contractor. 

ADVICE ON GRANTS

We advise on potential grants available depending on the type of works being carried out as follows:

 

SEAI Better Energy Homes Scheme

This scheme provides grants to homeowners to upgrade their homes with energy efficiency measures, thus reducing energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions. - See more at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_energy_homes/

 

Home Renovation Incentive scheme

The Home Renovation Incentive scheme enables homeowners to claim tax relief on repairs, renovations or improvement work that is carried out on their homes by tax-compliant contractors and is subject to 13.5% VAT.  The Home Renovation Incentive will be paid in the form of a tax credit at 13.5% of qualifying expenditure, which can be set against your income tax over 2 years. In general, qualifying work must be done between 25 October 2013 and 31 December 2016.  See more at http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/reliefs/hri/index.html

 

 

BUILDING CONTROL (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2014 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

The Building Control Regulations apply to new buildings, extensions, material alterations and changes of use of buildings. They promote observance of the Building Regulations by supplementing powers of inspection and enforcement given to Building Control Authorities. The new Regulations include new responsibilities which include new commencement notice requirements, new certificates of undertaking and compliance, new responsibilities for designers and a new role for an Assigned Certifier, new penalties and new forms for appointment ("notices of assignment") for competent Designers, Assigned Certifiers and Builders. The new roles and responsibilities are set out in the new Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Building Works.

 

Under the new Regulations, the Building Owner is ultimately responsible to ensure compliance with Building Regulations and must appoint competent Designers, the Builder and the Assigned Certifier. Depending on the scale of your project, we will advise the extent of additional services required at construction stage, with regard to the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and the assigned certifier.

 

Assigned Certifier

 

The Assigned Certifier is the person assigned by the Building Owner as is required under the Building Control Regulations. The certifier undertakes to inspect, and to co-ordinate the inspection activities of others during construction, and to certify the building or works on completion.

Note:  The role of Assigned Certifier does not include responsibility for the supervision of any builder.

 

The Assigned Certifier should:

 

  • Be the single point of contact with the Building Control Authority during construction;

  • Prepare the Preliminary Inspection Plan and oversee adherence to this plan and on completion provide the Inspection Plan as implemented

  • Identify all design professionals and specialists, in conjunction with the Builder, from whom certificates are required;

  • Identify all certificates required and obtain them;

  • Co-ordinate the ancillary certification by members of the design team and other relevant bodies for the Certificate of Compliance on Completion;

  • In consultation with members of the design team, plan and oversee the implementation of the Inspection Plan during Construction;

  • Co-ordinate and collate all certification of compliance for completion in conjunction with the Builder and receive these as formal submissions at agreed intervals and dates.

  • On termination or relinquishment of this appointment make available to the Building Owner all certification prepared and inspection reports carried out;

  • Maintain records of inspection, and

  • Provide and sign the Certificate of Compliance for the Undertaking and Completion.

  • Seek advice from the Building Control Authority in respect of compliance matters, relating to the building or works, where disputes or differences of opinion arise between the parties to the project.

 

 

CONSTRUCTION

 

From conception to occupation we will protect your interests and help to ensure that the design and construction process goes as smoothly as possible.

During Construction we will act on our client’s behalf as an independent advisor, inspecting the building work at intervals to ensure that it is being carried out generally in accordance with the contract documentation.

 

We will administer the contract and advise you on stage payments during the projects. We  administer the building contract as our client’s agent and are legally required to act fairly between our client and the contractor.

 

POST CONSTRUCTION

Our role continues once building works are completed.  The retention (a percentage of the overall build costs assessed on a project-by-project basis) will be held back for a pre-agreed period (defects liability period) and is paid out on the architect’s instruction, after any defects have been rectified by the contractor.

 

bottom of page