Preparing For Your Architectural Site Visit With Studio Bark: The First Step Towards Your Ideal Custom Home or Extension
Preparing For Your Studio Bark Site Visit
Your first site visit is an important milestone in your journey toward creating a custom home or extension. We understand that choosing the right architect is a big decision, especially if it's your first time embarking on a project of this scale, and so our aim is to make the process as straightforward and inspiring as we can.
From our expertise in navigating complex planning requirements to our commitment to zero-carbon design, we’ll guide you through every step, helping you to feel confident and informed as we set out to bring your vision to life.
Initial Discovery Phone Call
Before any visit, we’ll schedule an introductory discovery call to discuss your aspirations and begin developing your ‘brief’. This is an initial exploration of your goals - what you value in a home and the lifestyle you envision. We’ll also ask about your construction budget, site location, and your priorities for your ideal home build project.
The discovery call is an opportunity for both parties to decide if we’re a good fit, and gives us a chance to offer you some initial advice. There is no obligation to continue with a site visit following the call, and even if you choose not to go ahead we find the call often helps budding home-builders clarify their vision and next steps.
Preparing For Your Site Visit
Ahead of the visit, the Studio Bark team will conduct desktop research about your property to familiarise ourselves with the site’s potential, providing us with the insights we need to make the on-site appraisal as valuable and informative as possible.
Site Visit Day
Site Tour
Upon arrival, we’ll start with a tour of the site or home together, allowing us to get a feel for the property and to find out what matters most to you about the project first-hand. We’ll also take time to walk the site independently, capturing additional photographs, noting key vantage points, and gathering impressions firsthand. Seeing the site in person is invaluable—there are details that no photograph, map, or online search can convey.
Discover Your Brief
After the walkaround, we’ll sit down to discuss your brief in greater detail. Beyond size and layout, we’ll ask questions about the types of spaces you enjoy, the materials you’re drawn to, and any other qualities that reflect your own personal style. This step is all about helping you explore and define your vision in a way that feels meaningful to you.
Explore Our Relevant Projects
We’ll also share a few of our recent projects, guiding you through the process from conception to planning application and beyond. This glimpse into our previous work can help clarify the journey ahead and visualise each stage of development.
After The Visit: Your Bespoke Appraisal Document
Following the visit we’ll provide you with a detailed Appraisal Document. This bespoke report will offer an in-depth analysis of your site’s unique qualities and a refined brief based on our discussions.
This document often becomes key for our clients to kickstart their projects; enabling you to organise your thoughts, and give structure to the ideas that shape the design of your future home. The Appraisal Document provides clarity and direction, serving as a launching point for any future design.
The Next Steps: Designing Your Dream Home
Next comes the fun bit - designing your dream home project!
To help you understand how this process will unfold, we’ve developed our Bark Journey visual guide, showing you how we take you on your own journey to a healthier, more joyful home, designed just for you.
Ready to Get Started? Get In Touch!
Whether you’re just beginning to consider your project or have a fully formed idea in mind, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out at info@studiobark.co.uk with a brief description of what you’re looking for, and let’s begin crafting your dream together.
