The Design Journey.

Our collaborative design approach delivers uniquely beautiful homes & gardens. Below is an example timeline of a typical project with a few short videos from our team about how we support you through the design, planning, tender, procurement & build stages.

While every project is different with its own timescales, the below gives an overview of the HollandGreen approach to a project encompassing architecture, interior design & landscape design.

Month 01

Feasibility Study

Month 01

In this initial and crucial phase we will work with you to help you capture and crystallise what you really want to achieve. Depending on the scope of your project this could involve members of one, two, or frequently, all three of our disciplines: Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Design.

Months 02 - 03

Survey and Concept Design

Months 02 - 03

Now we understand the scope of works, have agreed a build budget and have the design direction we established during the Feasibility Study stage, we can start to develop the design concept.

This is where the fun really starts as we will build your house and grounds as an interactive digital 3D model. We will work with you to explore size, shapes, and layouts allowing us to see the design come alive in a way that is just not possible in traditional 2D design. This enables us to explore your new home inside and out, and as such make truly informed design decisions before moving into Detailed Design.

The first thing we need to do is arrange for a detailed measured survey of your house and grounds. We then use this data to build an accurate digital model of your existing home that will form the basis of all works moving forward. We can then start to explore and develop the selected design option we have carried forward from the Feasibility Stage. The 3D model allows you to explore the new spaces and allows us the ability to give you a real impression of size and scale both internally and externally. This ultimately enables you to proceed with confidence knowing you understand the design and that the right decisions have been made before starting to focus on the finer detail in the Detailed Design Stage.

Our Landscape Design team can also start to develop the hard and soft landscapes and planting in context with the house. Now is a great time to begin refining the internal feel of your home and our Interior Design team can start building on your mood boards and developing a material palette. They can also start building FF&E (that’s short for Furniture, Fittings & Equipment) proposals and initial budgets.

Months 03 - 04

Design Development

Months 03 - 04

We now have a focused design intent, having explored the different options in the Concept Development stage. Now we can start adding the detail and moving towards an outline design that we can submit for planning.

Depending on the scope of your project, this stage will involve aspects such as the preparation of drawings, internal layouts, and planting and irrigation plans for the site and your garden. We will refine the 3D model of your home and garden giving you the ability to explore this on your own PC and tablet.

For the architecture, in this stage we’ll prepare drawings and reports ready for planning. For your interior design, we’ll update layouts, start working with an external lighting design specialist and start building the joinery and kitchen concept, together with a small power and electrics proposal. And for projects involving landscape design, we’ll update the 3D model and plans from your feedback and produce a planting and materials palette, together with initial lighting and irrigation plans.

Months 04 - 07

Planning

Months 04 - 07

We will now have a design that is mature enough to allow us to submit for planning approval. We will monitor the application through the local authority’s consultation and decision making phase and keep you fully updated.

Months 07 - 11

Detailed Design

Months 07 - 11

Now that we have planning approval, we can move forward with confidence. This stage is about focusing on developing every aspect of the designs. This is where the the lion’s share of the work starts – and the devil is in the detail.

We will prepare detailed drawings and specifications to form the basis of the tender and construction packs, still working with you in the 3D model so you can collaborate with us and give refinements. We’ll also start working closely with consultants and specialists such as structural engineers and lighting designers.

Getting the right consultant team on board is a vital element to achieving a successful project. We work with a range of consultants including structural engineers, services engineers, mechanical and electrical consultants and many more. Whilst these consultants will be appointed by you directly, we will act as the main point of contact, working closely with them throughout the project.

In this stage, we can organise or go with you on interior design showroom visits, and we start to obtain initial quotes from landscapers and garden contractors.

Months 11 - 14

Tender & Mobilisation

Months 11 - 14

There are various ways of tendering a project and we will be able to advise on which route is best for you and your situation. It is also vital that we review the contractors available and decide on a shortlist that is best matched to your specific project.

Months 15 - 26

The Build

Months 15 - 26

With the right level of detailed design in place, a solid contract and a capable contractor, the project should proceed smoothly. As the contract administrator and lead designer, we will be with you throughout, monitoring the progress of the works, issuing instructions and staged payment certificates and generally helping to keeping thing on track between all parties and contractors.

Months 15 - 26

Procurement

Months 15 - 26

Within the build stage, we work with you on your interior fittings and the FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment) proposals and budget review, including helping you select fabrics and finishes and setting up a payment instalment schedule to keep everything clear and on schedule.

Month 24+

Modern new build home with sustainable design

Handover & Rectification Period

Month 24+

This is arguably the best part of the project and the culmination of all the hard work over the previous months. It is a time of mixed emotions, having worked so closely together for such a long time – we will have invariably formed attachments with you and the house. Overall of course, we are delighted that you are able to start enjoying the wonderful living spaces we have created together.

How we start the design journey

At the start of every project, it's important to establish what you want to achieve & what this means from a timeline & budget point of view. Most projects require a combination of all our disciplines & some may just need one..

Tell us about your project

Our easy form can help guide your thinking on the scope of your project, and will enable us to do a little bit of research & have some initial thoughts & ideas to share with you.

Begin now