Feasibility

A high level look at the project’s viability, vision and value, feasibility studies offer a great snapshot of what is possible.

Every project starts with a feasibility study, but usually this is part of a broader concept design stage. For some clients, however, tackling the feasibility study as a standalone stage is a really good option. A separate, focused feasibility study is aimed at helping clients who have questions about their vision and want those answered before committing to a more developed design process.

Perhaps you want to understand the pros and cons of a house you are thinking of buying, or you want to give your current home one last big think before moving. Perhaps the project is more speculative, a new build house or the redevelopment of a listed wreck, and you want to understand the realities of the limitations before committing money to a deeper engagement.

Our feasibility studies do not follow a set template but are tailored to the aspects you need to understand more deeply. This may be:

  • Planning implications

  • Technical constraints

  • Listed building restrictions

  • Budget limitations

The simple goal of this stage is to offer a low cost way for you to be more informed about the site potential, to enable you to decide whether to press ahead with furthering the project or not.

Our feasibility studies typically take the following path:

  • More informal and less detailed than a full briefing process, this is aimed at understanding what you want to know about your property.

  • We start to explore the potential of your property.

  • We look at what limitations there are, and where the opportunities lie. We look into where value could be added, and what the most affordable routes to adding this may be. Essentially this is a research and evaluation stage and we explore all aspects of the project.

    • A written assessment of planning constraints

    • Some examples of nearby properties that offer useful precedents

    • Some sketch schemes in 2D or 3D of possible moves.

    • High level budget estimates.

    • An analysis of structural limitations.

  • The report is discussed together with you over video call and we answer any remaining questions you may have on its content.

  • Then its over to you to consider how you want to proceed in developing the project.

Our studies will include an in depth analysis of site constraints and considerations on which we can base site-specific recommendations. Projects which may suit a standalone feasibility study include:

  • Development of vacant land

  • Replacement of an existing dwelling

  • Subdivision of a residential plot

  • Self-build projects

  • A home extension which is ambitious or not straightforward

  • Work to a listed building or in the green belt

  • Assessment of a property you don’t yet own

  • Working the optimal layout for a house which doesn’t quite seem right