At Group 19, we believe the most successful homes are born through close collaboration. We place your needs at the heart of our process, combining a passion for tactile sustainable materials and fine details with a holistic approach to design. Whether working within historic urban contexts or sensitive rural settings, our goal is to create functional, tailored spaces that demonstrate how good design can positively impact the way you live.

We understand that embarking on a building project can feel overwhelming, which is why we provide expert guidance from inception to completion. We work with you to define a brief that reflects your vision, lifestyle, and budget. From initial feasibility studies to navigating the complexities of planning permissions and building control, we manage the technical hurdles so you can enjoy creating a home that works for you.

We prefer to work with clients from inception through to completion as we believe this achieves better results for our clients. However, we offer flexible service levels, allowing you to take progressive steps from commissioning a feasibility study to obtaining planning permission through to detailed design, construction oversight, and completion. To ensure you are well-informed before the journey begins, we start with a conversation to get to know you and understand the needs of your project.

If you are ready to work with us, get in touch!

RIBA Stages 0-1 

Every successful project begins with a clear understanding of your goals, constraints, and opportunities. During this initial phase, we work with you to establish a robust project brief, defining your spatial needs, sustainability aspirations and budget. We assess the feasibility of the site and explore preliminary avenues for design development. 

Initial Services:

• Site Visit and Report including an initial assessment of your property or site and a consolidated design brief, helping you understand the best way to take your project forward including a clear, itemised breakdown of fees.

• Feasibility studies of initial spatial explorations, including sketch layouts, elevations, and sections to visualise options.

• Commissioning of required site and building surveys including measured surveys, drainage surveys, structural surveys, asbestos surveys, thermal studies, etc. 

• Initial risk assessment and appraisal of project cost and procurement strategy.

RIBA Stages 2–3

Building on the feasibility outcomes and commissioned surveys, we develop a single, cohesive design through technical drawings and 3D modeling to progress the design development, ensuring the proposals align with your brief. During this phase, we also bring in specialist consultants (such as structural engineers or cost consultants) and navigate the complexities of local planning policies.

Key Services:

• 3D modeling and spatial coordination.

• Iterative design meetings to review spatial layouts and material choices.

• Assuming the role of Principal Designer to manage health, safety, and Building Safety Act (BSA) compliance from the outset.

• Existing and proposed drawings. 

• Preparation and submission of Planning Applications.

• Liaison with local authority Planning Officers on your behalf.

RIBA Stage 4

This is where the project team, including Structural Engineer, focus further on the detail, ensuring designs comply with and go beyond statutory Building Regulations to perform efficiently. We prepare the highly detailed technical information required by building control, utility companies and party wall surveyors. Once conditional approval from building control is confirmed, the designs are prepared for tendering to contractors for construction.

Key Services:

• Production of comprehensive construction drawing packs (typically 1:50 sections and 1:10 details).

• Drafting detailed schedules and written specifications for products, materials and craftwork.

• Coordination with structural engineers and specialist consultants.

• Preparation and submission of Building Control applications to secure conditional approval.

• Collating robust Tender packages to issue to prospective builders for accurate pricing.

RIBA Stages 5–7

Moving from paper to site, we help you select the right contractor and establish a formal Building Contract. Throughout the construction phase, we act as your Contract Administrator, visiting the site regularly to ensure the design is executed to our exacting standards, managing the financial valuation of the works, and guiding the project smoothly to completion.

Key Services:

• Tender analysis, contractor interviews, and selection. 

• Preparation of Building Contract documentation.

• Contract Administration: Regular site visits to inspect progress, verify completed works, and issue payment certificates.

• Managing the handover process, including scheduling and rectifying any defects during the liability period.

• Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE): Following completion, we evaluate how the building is performing in use, ensuring environmental and functional aspirations have been successfully met.

As part of our holistic approach, Group 19 offers tailored interior design and bespoke furniture design services. Whether designing built-in joinery to maximise storage in an existing room or crafting bespoke pieces for a newly proposed space, we can provide separate scopes and costs for these highly detailed works as your project evolves.