“The design COCOON Architects have drawn for us will fulfill all our requests and more.

COCOON have been very patient with us throughout the design and planning process, their ideas and our requests have been brought together with imagination and flair.”

Kathy and Tim, Long House

SERVICES PROVIDED

Initial Consultations Visit the home or site and discuss the priorities of the brief, together with the opportunities and challenges which may be present

Feasibility Studies and Site Appraisals Development appraisals for extensions, building conversions, new single-homes or multi-property developments

Measured Building Surveys
All measured surveys create 3D existing models to support the ongoing design process

Concept Designs
Preparing bespoke design strategies for each project, responding to how our clients would ideally love to live and the core motivations for improving their home, or building new from scratch

Immersive Experience
We use the latest software combined with VR goggles to allow our clients to fully experience our design proposals

Planning Applications
Preparing and submitting application information, including Design and Heritage statements for Conservation Areas and Listed Building, working closely with consultants and specialists as required

Building Regulations Submissions
Detailed design information to enable building control approval of the designs

Tender Information
Prepare technical information to allow tenders to be obtained

The level of detail provided is tailored to each client and scenario, from simple detailing and specification support only, to fully coordinated and specified proposals in collaboration with specialists for competitive tendering on high-end properties

Contract Administration and Site Attendance
Administering the construction contract on behalf of our clients, reviewing the construction and providing regular reporting

PROCESS

Each design is the result of our close relationships with our clients.

The process of delivering a tailor-made home requires us to support our clients through a wide variety of activities.

Here we describe broadly the stages that we will go through together. The pace and level of guidance for each stage can vary to suit each project and client.

Visit and Listen

It is so important that time is dedicated early to understand what it is your project is hoping to achieve. This often requires lots of tea!

As the project develops, these early conversations will inform a personalised design approach.

Time is also dedicated to understand the site, the relative position of the sun, the location, and the surroundings. This will build a picture of how the design will sit comfortably in its backdrop.

Concept

Sharing interesting images, sketches, computer-generated models, and physical models can all be used to test the early design themes, to better understand your aspirations and priorities.

From the beginning, designs are worked on to scale to begin to understand how the proposals might work within the site, how sunlight and shadows may affect the design across the day and year, identify key views to and from important spaces, etc.

We like to work with the latest 3D software, to help you understand our suggestions, and to allow you to make informed decisions about how we can make the design better for you.

Dependant on the scale and complexity of the project, the appointment of external surveys and consultants may be discussed at this stage.

Develop

Concept designs are pushed and pulled iteratively to become fully-planned designs, suitable for submission to Local Authorities for Planning Permission if appropriate.

Computer-generated views describe the look and feel of the design, inside and out, helping you to see your exciting spaces, and your feedback will allow me to make it even better.

The feedback from external surveys and consultants will be incorporated into the overall design.

Technical

All materials and finishes are considered during this stage, with lots of talking about the character of different spaces, collecting material samples and exploring textures. Internal renders evolve to test the interior designs.

Alongside this, the extensive task of detailing and documenting the technical requirements of the project will be carried out, including discussing the project with Building Control.

The information is developed sufficiently to become the package of information sent to the selected builders for preparing their quotes.

Construct

After all this hard work, the building stage should be exciting and enjoyable! I can help mitigate many of the risks associated with construction.

I regularly attend site and create reports to document progress and the accuracy of the build, and to manage any issues as they arise.

It is normal for things to change during the build. I will negotiate these changes while maintaining your key aspirations, by drawing on my technical and construction experiences from the past 15 years.

Effective communication and maintaining good relationships between all parties is key to a successful build. Adopting appropriate construction contracts defines the responsibilities of each from the outset, protecting your considerable investment.

Live-In

Once completed, moved-in, lived-in, and properly road tested, I really enjoy revisiting clients and their tailor-made designs, developed specifically for each unique client and context.

This feedback is very important to me to continue to improve my services, and sometimes to start the ball rolling for the next exciting project!

Featured Projects

LONG HOUSE

Super Low Energy Home
LONG HOUSE

VAULTED

Extension and Remodelling
VAULTED

CEDAR HOUSE

Super Low Energy Home
CEDAR HOUSE