Nathan Battishall, our founder and Director, shares his advice on the importance of engaging the services of an experienced multi dwelling planner and building designer prior to purchasing your development site.
Introduction
Embarking on a multi dwelling development project is an exciting Endeavor, but it’s also a complex one that requires careful planning and foresight. Among the key players in this process, the building designer holds a pivotal role, particularly in the initial stages where feasibility sketches and due diligence are paramount. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the importance of engaging a building designer for these crucial tasks.
My name is Nathan Battishall from Duplex Building Design and we are specialists when it comes to development and investment design and duplexes or dual occupancies are one of our most popular services we offer to clients.
“If you don’t own a block of land, get in touch and we can find you a site off market, please book in for one of the consultations we have available for you”
Understanding Feasibility Sketches:
Feasibility sketches are pre-preliminary designs that help assess the viability of a development project. They serve as a visual representation of the proposed development, allowing stakeholders to visualize the end product and identify potential challenges or opportunities early on.
- Visualizing Possibilities: A skilled building designer can translate your vision into tangible sketches, allowing you to explore different design options and configurations for the multi-dwelling development. These sketches provide clarity on the spatial layout, architectural style, and overall aesthetic of the project and most importantly a conservative yield for the site.
- Assessing Constraints: Feasibility sketches enable stakeholders to identify any site constraints or limitations that may impact the development process. This includes factors such as site topography, access points, zoning regulations, and environmental considerations. By addressing these constraints upfront, the design can be optimized to minimize potential complications during the later stages of development.
- Cost Estimation: Through feasibility sketches, building designers can provide conservative preliminary cost estimates for the proposed development. This allows developers to gauge the financial feasibility of the project and make informed decisions regarding budget allocation and resource allocation.
Importance of Due Diligence:
In addition to preparing feasibility sketches, building designers play a crucial role in conducting due diligence for multi-dwelling development sites. Due diligence involves comprehensive research and analysis to assess the site’s suitability for development and mitigate potential risks.
- Site Analysis: Building designers conduct thorough site analysis to evaluate various factors such as site conditions, soil quality, drainage patterns, and utility infrastructure. This information is essential for informing design decisions and ensuring that the proposed development is structurally sound and environmentally sustainable.
- Regulatory Compliance: Building designers are well-versed in local building codes, zoning regulations, and planning policies. By conducting due diligence, they can ensure that the proposed development complies with all relevant regulations and obtains necessary permits and approvals from the local authorities.
- Risk Mitigation: Through due diligence, building designers identify potential risks and challenges associated with the development site. This includes risks related to environmental hazards, legal disputes, and market fluctuations. By addressing these risks proactively, developers can minimize project delays and financial losses.
- Optimizing Design Solutions: Based on the findings of due diligence, building designers can propose design solutions that maximize the site’s potential while mitigating risks and addressing constraints. This may involve optimizing building orientation, maximizing natural light and ventilation, and incorporating sustainable design principles.
Feel free to get in touch with us to book a feasibility call
Conclusion:
Engaging a building designer to prepare feasibility sketches and conduct due diligence is essential for the success of multi dwelling development projects. From visualizing design possibilities to mitigating risks and ensuring regulatory compliance, building designers play a critical role in laying the foundation for a successful development venture. By investing in thorough planning and analysis upfront, developers can minimize uncertainties, streamline the development process, and ultimately achieve their vision for a vibrant and sustainable multi dwelling community.
