The Communion Process

The journey to transform an idea into a building has five independent but interlinked Stages.
Click on the numbers below to find out more about each of them.

Stage Zero: Idealise

Testing the Principle

A building project isn’t something to be taken on lightly. It’s a journey that involves difficult decisions and has enormous responsibilities. But it is also a journey that offers incredible rewards. It is an opportunity to take an idea, develop it and see it take its place in the landscape for generations to come.

Part of an architect’s role in your journey is to help you to enjoy it as much as possible. We will be your expert partner when difficult decisions need to be made. We will also do everything to remove as many of the unknowns as we can to ensure your journey is as inspirational and smooth as it possibly can be. At the same time we will never forget that your project is exactly that – yours. Our job is to utilise our knowledge, experience and connections to help you realise your dream.

Whether you choose to work with us on all the Stages or not, this section gives you a useful overview of the path your project will follow. You might also like to read what our clients have to say about the process.

Stage Zero steps:

Agreeing the objective
Identify key spaces
Review legal constraints
Plan project programme
Review key needs
Advise on budget

Starting the conversation

The first step is for you to complete our new project form so we can understand a little about your project.

We work closely and intensively with our clients on their projects. The other side to this, of course, is that we can only work on a few at a time. It’s why we try make sure there is the best possible fit between what our clients need and what we can provide.

The next step is to arrange a telephone conversation where you can tell us more about your project. It is also an opportunity for you to see if you like the sound of us in person!

After this conversation, if we both agree, we will arrange a site visit to talk through your project ‘on the ground’.

On smaller or more straightforward projects, by the end of this meeting, we will have a strategy for your project and know that it is broadly feasible for the budget available. Afterwards, we will summarise our discussions in a formal document. The site visit and document are both free of charge and without obligation.

On larger or more complex projects, this process is a separate, chargeable piece of work we call Testing the Principle, which considers the legal, financial and practical considerations involved.

Once you have this information and you have decided you would like to work with us, we move to Stage One.