Awareness of Technology @ Element 17.03.2020

At Element Architecture Studio we pride ourselves on having an expert understanding of the technologies that we use in our projects to ensure a sustainable project. Some of these technologies are basic renewable energy systems such as Photovoltaic panels placed so that they point towards the south; Grey Water recycling systems or even Solar Collectors on the southern facades, which are used to keep water at a warmer temperature than is the norm – so that when it is needed for heating it takes less energy to heat it.   

Other technologies are slightly rarer. Such as Novacem© Carbon negative Concrete. Overall, this cement absorbs roughly one tough more C02 than it emits, making it Carbon negative. We try and use this product as frequently as possible in place of standard concrete mixes.

As a practice we try and stay aware of new products and materials that can positively impact on the Carbon emissions of a construction project. Our goal is to limit the carbon impact of our work in the industry through our implementation of technology and sustainable practice. 

Matt Kerrod, Design Director 

Design Write Up 16.03.2020

At Element Architecture Studio, we have a team of experienced designers who are passionate about sustainable design who try and create a positive environmental impact through their work and ideas. Each of our founding members has worked internationally on projects and for companies where sustainability and green design has been the principle driver.  So, it seemed logical to take this principle and make it the core ideas behind our work. 

At Element we wish to combat both climate change and help reduce our dependency on non-renewable energy sources through our design work. We strive to maximum passive gains in our designs; use materials that are either recycled or that have been resourced from sustainable sources and to incorporate renewable energy systems that allow the building to produce the energy that it needs to run, ideally then creating a surplus which can be dispersed into the local community. This is why, at Element, innovate use of technology is so important to us; as is taking inspiration from the naturally occurring systems and processes in nature. Since, sustainability is so important to us our practise is a member of the Sustainable Building Association (AECB) which allows us to network with other like minded institutions and to attend eco-conferences to keep us up to date with modern methods of sustainable design and practice. We are also a Chartered RIBA Practice.



As a company we seek to design across all sectors and strive to implement our philosophies to the best of our ability in every design project. We do this through our use of different technologies to achieve our goals, coupling this with a strong working relationship with other necessary construction disciplines, such as the Structural Engineers or Quantity Surveyors, who through our own personal careers we have built trusting relationships with, and our clients we believe that our aims are achievable in every project.  



We believe that to fully understand and fulfil the requirements of a brief we as a company need to have a strong relationship with our clients so that we can really understand their wants and needs, allowing us to produce a project that is to their liking. We also understand that every project has a budget of a set amount. We will provide a solution for each of our projects that will ensure both a high quality and value for money.

Matt Kerrod, Design Director

BIM Intergration @ Element 15.03.2020

Element Architecture Studio seeks to use BIM in a way which aids the design and construction process. It allows us and other members of the extended design team (such as Structural Engineers, Contractors and Surveyors) to input information and test different areas of the scheme as a computer model, ensuring there are no major issues with the scheme.

Once we move into the design development phase, the use of BIM allows each member to simultaneously produce drawings for the project.  The nature of the BIM models allows the practice to quickly create and send out schedules for the construction process. In terms of the client, a BIM model allows the client to explore all areas of the design and make comments and critiques  This ensures that the project is completely tailored to the client's needs.

Matt Kerrod, Design Director 

Design Roles within the Company 14.03.2020

Design Roles

Design Director

The design director acts as the internal critic to each of the projects that Element Architecture Studio produces. As well as running on of the three studios, it is their job to ensure that every project that the company produces fits with our philosophies and ethos; liaise with our clients before assigning the project to a studio; assign studios for competitions and to seek new clients and work.

RIBA Directors

Each of the directors that are qualified architects is in charge of a studio, as well as fulfill the other requirements of their role. They are the principle designers on any project that is assigned to their studio, though they may choose to work with another director.

CIAT Directors

The Directors trained as Architectural Technologists, as well as their teams, oversee the technical design and development for each project. They liaise with the design architect for the project to ensure that the technology implemented is aiding the design of the project rather than hindering it. It is also their job to communicate with the various consultants that would be bought in during the design stage, such as the Structural Engineers.

Project Architect

The Project Architect oversees the design from concept to construction. They work closely with the lead design architect and are heavily involved in the design development stage of the project, producing physical and CAD models to test elements of the design and it is them who will produce the technical drawings for the project.

Part 2 Graduate

It is the Part 2’s job to take the technical drawings for the project and use them to create the artistic images that will be used to present the scheme for competition entries and for the clients.

Part 1 Graduate

Fresh out of university, the Part 1 will be encouraged to work with the lead designers so that they can develop their design ethos. Also, they will be trained to use most CAD packages that the company requires for BIM, CAD modelling and drafting.

Matt Kerrod, Design Director.

The Design Process @ Element 09.03.2020

Design Process

Brief and Site Analysis

The genesis of the project. This is where begin to understand the needs of our client and develop them into a design brief, which is agreed upon by the client. Then, we can begin to analysis the proposed site of construction and develop a strategy toward it.

Concept and Feasibility

This is where we begin to develop an overarching idea, which helps to inform our design thinking throughout the project. Sketches and small sketch models are produced to begin the design process in earnest.

Initial Design and Planning Phase

Now we begin taking our sketches and using them to produce technical drawings and images which help to describe the spatial qualities of the project. At this point, we are in constant communication with our clients to ensure they’re approval of the final result. It is at the end of this phase that the drawings are submitted for an initial planning application, once the client has approved the design.

Design Development

Whilst we wait planning consent, we continue to design every detail of the building, from fixtures to furnishings, ensuring a fully thought out design. At this stage design models are produced at various scales and tested to ensure all problems are resolved.  

Construction Drawings Production

Finally, we produce construction drawings for the contractor so that the building can be constructed. At this point, we communicate with the contractor and various suppliers to ensure a high quality result.

Construction Phase

Once construction is under way we take charge of the process with on going communication with the client, contractor and suppliers. We keep a close eye on the project in the form of weekly site visits to ensure all issues are resolved as quickly as possible.


Matt Kerrod, Design Director

Technological Approach @ Element 08.03.2020

We aim to take a comprehensive technological approach to sustainable design by utilising the BIM (Building Information Modelling) through our CAD packages. By using technology coupled with the BIM process we can easily schedule projects, estimate the project’s price, bill for projects and track sustainability efficiently even after the completion of the building.  BIM also ensures that everyone on the design team (including outside consultants) can fully understand the technical requirements of the project.



Together with the design team we seek to incorporate the latest technologies into our designs to help ensure energy efficiency, energy conservation, waste minimisation, water conservation & recycling, renewable energy strategies, active & passive design strategies, low carbon strategies, to encourage biodiversity, source local materials and the use of renewable and recycled materials.

Syahirah Dato Haji Adam, Technical Director

Design Approach and Services Offered 06/03/2020

Here is the formal write up of Element Architecture Studio's Design Approach and the Services that we offer, as agreed by our Directors:

Practice Approach        

Element Architecture Studios is the result of the combination of the total experience of our five founding partners, which accumulates to a total of twenty five years experience in industry. Since founding Element, we have sought to provide high quality services to all our clients and to create an excellent reputation for design excellence. We are:

Client Focused: We aim to express and deliver the needs of our clients in an ethical, sustainable, professional, environmental and morally acceptable way.

Design: We will always seek to deliver design excellence within the requirements of the brief and within the budget of the client.

Quality: We seek to provide the highest standards of work possible. We are an RIBA Charted Practice that conforms to the Code of Conduct and are externally audited to ISO 9001.

Team Players: We believe good team work is a vital part of providing an excellent product. We seek to build excellent working relationships with all our clients and contractors.

Value: We understand that every project has a budget. We will provide the most cost effective solution for each of our projects.

Sustainability:  We are externally examined and audited to ISO 14001. Sustainability in both practice and design is central to our ethos. We seek to use recyclable or sustainably sourced materials for our projects as well as implementing renewable energy sourcing in our designs. 

Services

We seek to provide all areas of architectural services.

In outline, we provide the following Architectural Services:

Project Appraisals and Feasibility Studies

Master-Planning

Development of Project Briefs

Sustainability including BREEAM

Submission of Planning Applications

Design Development

Project Management

Drawing Production

Building Regulation Approvals

Other Statutory Approvals

Production Information for Tendering and Construction

Building Information Modelling Services

In addition we provide the following, more specialised, services:

Interior Design

Expert Witness

Technical Assessor

Large Scale Residency Layout Design

Historic Building Assessment


Matt Kerrod, Design Director

Mission Statement 20.02.2020

"Element Architecture Studio is a design-based practice that specialises in designing sustainable and energy efficient architecture in both the domestic and international markets based in the city of Nottingham. We seek to reach the standard of BREEAM excellence in every single project, whether it is a new-build or renovation, and where possible design buildings that produce the energy that they require to function, with any surplus being distributed to the surrounding community. Our company seeks to provide technologically superior processes, providing greater value for our clients as well as enhancing the design and construction processes."

Business mission 06.02.2020

All were in attendance.

We decided that we would base our business around sustainable design and how we can help combat the energy and non-renewable energy problem. Something that is becoming more and more of a problem recently. This decision has come from bringing together all of our specialities and experience from previous work.

We have a diverse range of target clients, from private home owners to the government. Being more defensible to take on all types of projects rather than just civic ones.

Directors Agreement 23.01.2020

We decided that Element Architecture Studio shall be run as a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and registering each of the partners at Companies House. 

The LLP does not file any form of constitution. The members can agree profit sharing or other arrangements amongst themselves verbally and change those arrangements as often as they agree.

Also, we as partners are not liable for each others actions in terms of the business. For example business debts, employee claims, or public liability.


Being an LLP is more tax efficient. The partners are self-employed. The company will file an annual tax return, but each partner, to avoid being in the highest tax class will report their share of the profit on their personal tax return. This will be lower than if the company filed the profit as one lump sum.

Staff Meeting - 16.01.2020

In Attendance:

Matt Kerrod
Craig Neal
Ross Mccoriston

Minutes:

It was decided that the company, based in Nottingham, shall be known as Element Architecture Studios and that we shall specialise in sustainable designs to combat the energy crisis in 2020. We will start with small projects such as housing redevelopments and aim to move into designing large civic areas.

The following roles were allocated:

Matt Kerrod : Design and Marketing

Craig Neal : Website and IT Support

Ross Mccoriston : Finance

Pawel Zagorowski : Project Management and Administration

Syahiriah Dato Adam : Technology