Design Foresightful Architecture Ltd
Design Foresightful Architecture Limited (DFAL) was founded in 2021 as a successor company to the long established David Futter Associates Ltd, allowing the practice to draw on the 30+ years of knowledge, experience and legacy in the industry.
The practice comprises a core team of staff with experience in residential, commercial and industrial design. Our open plan and collaborative office allows staff to discuss projects and ideas openly and develop solutions that both fit client aspirations and budgets. The practice seeks to provide clients with practical and cost efficient designs which are both beautifully elegant and effectively buildable.
Client adviser
Provide client side with professional advice on projects to assist in developing their brief and providing guidance throughout the project from inception to construction and hand over. We can work with you to achieve the project you desire with the knowledge you need to feel comfortable dealing with a complex construction project.
Note: if engaged as a client advisor we can not act in any other capacity for clients on the project due to conflict of interests which may arise.
Site Appraisal
If you have a site that you own or are looking to purchase, we would be happy to review its location and voice our opinion on potential routes for development. We will review local planning and site location policies relating to development boundaries and/or allocated land with an aim to provide clear and succinct advice.
Concept design
If you already have a site but are not able to visualise your ideas, we can provide concept schemes including hand drawn sketches, 3D massing models and master plans. We will work with you to produce a drawing package appropriate to your needs, whether these are experiment designs for a site or in support of funding bid applications.
Planning applications
If you know what you would like, we can work with you to produce and obtain the required documentation to make a planning application for your project. We will review relevant planning policies and advise on what we consider as the best course of action. We will also assist by monitoring your planning application and providing appropriate feedback where necessary or required.
We have working relationships with consultants ranging from archaeologists, arboriculturalists, topographical surveyors, ecologists and more in order to provide a variety of information and data tailored to the specific needs and wants of the clients and their requirements.
Planning Conditions
Often, planning approvals will have conditions imposed which must be discharged prior to the beginning of construction. Regardless of whether we have assisted in the planning approval or have purchased a site with conditions present, we are able to assist and coordinate the necessary drawings and reports to discharge the stated conditions with the planning authority.
Building Regulations
If you already have planning approval or have a project that does not require planning approval, we are able to provide drawings compliant with building regulations for projects of any size. We have experience in both the domestic and commercial sector and are able to work with you to agree or advise on a construction method and incorporate your requirements into the building regulation drawings.
We are also able to provide drawings for Section 104 drainage applications compliant with sewers for adoption 8th edition and Section 278 Highways authority agreements.
Tender/Construction
If you have a project ready for construction, we can assist with building specifications and information. We are also able to coordinate the tendering process for the project to ensure you receive comparable quotes for the same work to make it easier for you to make an informed choice on which contractor to use. Depending on our engagement, we are also able to advise on a suitable form of construction contract for the process.
Consultant Certificates
The Building Certification Service is available to professional builders or private individuals wishing to alter/erect a residential property.
The service involves an inspection of the property at key stages during the construction period with the purpose of certifying, on completion, that the property is structurally sound.
Upon completion, a certificate will be issued when all matters relating to the main structural elements have been constructed to a satisfactory standard and the property is suitable for occupation.
The service includes the issue of a ‘Professional Certificate’ as may be required by a Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML Certificate) although this cannot be issued until confirmation has been received that all requirements under the Building Regulation and Planning Approval have been met.
Contract Management
We are able to provide contract administration service on the Joint Contract Tribunal suite of contracts and the RIBA suite of contracts. We will act as the impartial administrator to monitor the construction works, value the works at the agreed intervals and mediate in accordance with construction contract and presiding case law. We have experience with valued projects ranging from tens of thousands to tens of millions of pounds.
Handover
If you have a project which has reached completion, we can assist with many aspects that are required post completion. We can provide assistance with snagging inspections as well as collation and the issue of documentation such as; Building Health and Safety files; Building Hand Books and BREEAM compliant Building User Guides.
