Architecture

Describe the property and what you want to do: build, adapt spaces, extend or reorganise how it is used. Explain whether you want to compare possibilities, develop a chosen solution or clarify a question during construction. These points help define the type of support needed.

Distinguish the needs of the space from solutions you have already imagined. A reference image can show a preference, but it is also useful to explain who will use the property, what needs to work better, the features to retain and your priorities. The work can then be framed around the brief and existing conditions without treating an image as a completed design decision.

Architectural feasibility

An initial feasibility study addresses questions about options and constraints before the design is developed. The enquiry should identify the objective and available information, so that the assessment and its limits can be defined. Comparing possibilities does not mean that every solution has been detailed or that an administrative approval has been confirmed.

Surveys and existing-building documentation

Where basic property information is missing, the enquiry may focus on surveying and representing its existing condition. The areas, elements and level of detail to document need to be defined, along with the access available. Recording what exists and designing an alteration are distinct tasks that can be coordinated. The proposal should identify which are covered.

Architectural design

To develop an intervention, the brief, decisions to explore and documents to produce need to be defined. The design should relate the organisation of spaces to the building and other planned components. The architectural design page explains the stages, choices and deliverables to commission; the aim here is to help identify whether that is the support you need.

Interior design

Where the enquiry centres on the use and arrangement of interior spaces, materials and the relationship with furniture and equipment, interior design develops that scope. It can form part of a wider design or a defined renovation. The proposal should clarify the interior decisions and any other design work the intervention requires, without assuming that choosing a finish resolves the entire change to the space.

If the enquiry involves a planning application, building regularisation or change of use, gather the available documents and explain the situation you want to clarify. Preparation of that process should have its own scope, related to the design and property information.

The proposal should identify what will be assessed, prepared or supported and which elements need confirmation. The applicable framework and documents to develop should be checked for the specific case. Delivery of drawings or an initial study should not be presented as approval of the work you intend to carry out.

Architectural site support should clarify the assistance to be provided in relation to the design: questions to review, clarifications, points of involvement and planned records. Visits, review of options or changes, and other deliverables should be identified in the appointment rather than continuous attendance being assumed.

Physical construction, construction management and construction supervision on the client’s behalf have different roles. Where needed, their tasks and responsibilities should be identified. Support from the designer should not automatically be presented as any of those roles.

Design, construction and support can be included in one proposal, with clear scopes. Decisions and changes should be related to the current documents and the parties they concern.

Give the location, property type and the decision you need to make or the work you are planning. Send the information available and explain what you do not yet know. For an initial discussion, useful information includes:

• Existing plans, surveys, designs and other documents.
• Photographs and information about current use.
• Users’ needs and spaces to retain or change.
• References accompanied by an explanation of what you like in each.
• Priorities, an indicative budget and your preferred timing.
• Designers, suppliers or other parties already involved.

If the enquiry arises during construction, identify the question, documents in use and outstanding decisions. The proposal should distinguish the support needed now from future stages that have not yet been commissioned.

• Architectural design

  For developing the intervention and defining the design stages and documents.

• Interior design

  For developing the arrangement, use and choices within interior spaces.

• Architectural feasibility studies

  For studying options and constraints before design development.

• Measured building surveys and existing-building documentation

  For gathering information and documenting the existing property.

• Planning applications, regularisation and changes of use

  For establishing and preparing the processes and documents relevant to the enquiry.

We welcome enquiries in Lisboa, Oeiras, Cascais, Sintra, Amadora, Odivelas and Loures. Availability and the feasibility of the work are assessed for each enquiry.