Our Architectural Design & Planning Process
We help homeowners, developers and investors in Barnet, Enfield & North London navigate every step, from first enquiry through to planning approval and project completion, with clarity, creativity and confidence.
Why Our Process Matters
Before you draw a line or cut a brick, it’s critical to set a foundation: one that respects planning constraints, ensures buildability and protects your budget.
Our process keeps things transparent, compliant and tailored so you avoid surprises, delays or overspend.
Our work stages
We adopt a structured, staged approach across all projects, from development of the initial project brief through to completion and post-handover support. Our services are organised into six professional stages,
Stage 1
Preparation of project
Stage 2
Concept design
Stage 3
Developed design & planning
Stage 4
Technical design / BIM
Stage 5
Tender, management & construction
Stage 6
Handover / use
Stage 1 - Preparation of project
This is where the journey begins.
Before commencing any design works, we will meet to identify and develop your initial brief considering development aspirations and matters that can influence them. Feasibility studies are carried out by MSK Design addressing site massing, physical limitation/conditions of the site, planning considerations and statutory requirements.
MSK Design works in a detailed and methodical manner at this stage to ensure that a clear and concise brief is prepared at this early stage to encompass all client aspirations.
RIBA STAGE 0-1
Preparation of project brief considering:
Project outcomes:
Sustainability outcomes
Quality aspirations
Spatial requirements
Potential planning routes and options to achieve compliance (where possible at this stage)
Preparation of appointment documents
Undertake Feasibility studies
Agree a Project Budget
Obtain site information (surveys/reports)
Prepare a project programme/timeline
Stage 2 - Concept design
Following the completion of the Concept stage, we will look at the development holistically to obtain a greater understanding of the principle of the development against the project brief parameters.
We will meet with you to present our findings and recommendations, during these meetings we will also develop concepts in response to questions as this is a stage of exploration. Quite often at this stage, we may present options suited to your development that you may not have considered. This stage will offer you the early opportunity to consider how to develop your development requirements/project brief.
RIBA STAGE 2
Preparation of concept schemes (in 2D and 3D) aligned with client brief
Exploration of development options reviewed against client brief
Review of cost plan
Review of potential engineering requirements
Update client brief where required
Appointment of specialist consultants (known at this stage)
Stage 3 - Developed design & planning
Here, we delve deeper into our schemes to bring our proposals closer to becoming a ‘buildable’ scheme.
Proposals become more detailed and coordinated to allow us to integrate engineering principles and associated statutory or project specific considerations (energy efficiency, daylighting, acoustics to name a few) to enable our scheme to align with the architectural concept and address the project brief.
At this stage, we will engage with consultants and take on their responses, present our findings to our clients and review comments, address planning pre-app (dependent on projects), negotiate policy compliance and factor-in responses.
RIBA STAGES 2-3
Initial review of Building Regulation requirements (limited/where possible)
Engineering review (limited/where possible)
Review design changes and cost plan, update client brief where required
Confirmation of final design and planning route
Preparation of planning application documents
Submission of planning application/s and monitoring
Stage 4 - Technical design/BIM
Following planning approval (or in some cases, confirmation of consent), our scheme is developed further on a technical level to prepare detailed proposals for construction fully integrating the required engineering works (structural, mechanical, acoustic etc) and other project specific requirements to make our scheme constructable.
Planning conditions are reviewed and addressed at this stage.
Technical consultants are brought in at this stage to address post planning matters and our technical packages.
RIBA STAGE 3-4
Discharge planning conditions
Address statutory applications (Utilities, Building Control etc)
Preparation of performance specifications for M&E installations
Preparation of initial fit-out specifications/aspirations
Appointment, coordination and management of specialist consultants, integration of responses received to final design/technical packages.
Identification of construction contract route
Preparation of technical design packages for tender/construction
Stage 5 - Tender, contract management and construction
We address this as a hybrid of work stages 4-5 broken down into three parts (in summary):
The lead-into the appointment of the contractor, addressing pre-commencement statutory obligations, identification of suitable contractors, tender management, preparation of contracts and signing of contracts.
Commencement of construction works, on site monitoring, on site queries, and management of contracts.
Resolve pre-occupation matters addressing snagging, remedial works, pre-completion testing and commissioning and achieve Practical Completion under the building contract. Any remaining post occupancy planning conditions are resolved at this stage.
RIBA STAGES 4-5
Preparation of Construction Phase Plan
Identify/address party wall obligations
Identification of suitable contractors and specialist installers
Contractor/specialist installer review
Preparation of construction contract
Appointment of main contractor
Monitoring of works, on-site inspections
Address on site requests for information and queries
Carry out contract administrator duties, address variations, carry out valuations and award payment certificates
Address pre-completion commissioning and testing for regulatory compliance and activation of warranties.
Address on site snagging and defect in preparation of handover.
Issue Practical Completion certificate under contract
Stage 6 - Handover / Use
At this stage under a fully managed service, the development is handed over to the client and we enter a period of aftercare. We maintain contact with our clients after occupation to address any questions, review performance and assist in coordinating remedial works arising during the defects liability period.
At the expiry of defects liability period (term documented under the building contract), any required remedial work is coordinated with the contractor prior to issuing the Final Certificate under the building contract.
RIBA STAGE 6-7
Hand over building in line with ‘Plan for Use’
Coordinate seasonal commissioning and maintenance in line with contract
Monitor, document and coordinate defects rectification
Post occupancy review
Implement management and maintenance plan
Undertake a post occupancy evaluation of the building performance in use
Verify project outcomes
Ready to Start?
If you are considering a project and do not know where to start, book a consultation with us to explore what’s possible for your home or development.