Architecture and Art Inventory
Architectural Services
I care about drawing. In a heavily legislated architectural world, I also care about the contract. This section details exactly what you can expect from me. It is dry material for anyone not actively seeking an architect. For those who are, it is the roadmap to a beautiful and enduring experience.
Architectural Services and Approach
From residential extensions and new builds to commercial spaces and gallery installations, I provide architectural design services across all scales. I am a fully insured, ARB registered architect in the UK and OA registered in Portugal. I take on a few projects at a time. This is by design.
My approach prioritises clear guidance and complete financial predictability. Architecture should magnify space, but it must do so through technical precision. You will receive creative ideas to maximise your footprint. We prepare highly detailed construction packages that leave zero room for contractor guesswork.
For the past decade, I have detailed Grade II listed buildings, my own home, and galleries in Central London, where a single millimetre is a conversation with a stonemason. Before this, I delivered more than twenty new builds and commercial spaces in my independent practice in Portugal. I apply this exact rigour to every project.
A Modern Collaborative Practice
I operate an independent practice without the financial overhead of a traditional studio. My studio is my laptop and drawing pad. Meetups can happen anywhere. I lead the design and technical execution of every project directly.
To deliver comprehensive packages, I work alongside a consistent network of experienced and trusted architects who share this vision. Structural engineers, building control, surveyors, and the contractor are integrated seamlessly into the team. We scale our resources precisely to the requirements of your build. You pay directly for expert architectural knowledge and rigorous technical delivery.
Transparent Pricing and Fixed Fees
I work exclusively with fixed fee structures. We define the exact scope of deliverables and agree on a professional fee for the entire project.
Traditional architectural fees are calculated as a percentage of the final construction cost. In that model, if the building contract value increases during the tender stage, the architect's fee automatically increases with it.
My fixed fee removes this risk. It provides absolute budget certainty from day one. It also ensures my design solutions are driven entirely by your brief and spatial requirements, never by the cost of construction.
How We Calculate Fees
We establish the global fee together based on a preliminary assessment of the required work and your target expenditure.
This single figure is then divided into three payments tied to the standard project phases. Phase 1 covers concept layout and statutory planning. Phase 2 covers technical design and tender preparation. Phase 3 covers construction management.
As an independent practice operating below the VAT threshold, our fee structure offers inherent financial efficiency.
The Onboarding Process
We begin with an initial review of your property to discuss your spatial ambitions and identify key structural and planning parameters. We map out all inevitable third-party costs from day one to ensure complete financial clarity.
We then present a detailed fee proposal for your consideration. Once appointed, we execute a clear architectural services agreement to protect your schedule and ensure a seamless progression.
Tendering
Our tenders are prepared with a comprehensive drawing package and a strictly formatted pricing spreadsheet. This document lists all anticipated construction items. Contractors cannot alter the wording. They simply assign a figure to each line.
This level of control makes the process completely transparent. It allows you to easily omit or add specific works to adjust the budget. Combined with a standard JCT or RIBA building contract, this ensures your tender value remains as close as possible to your final expenditure.
Construction Phase
I belong on site. I maintain a heavy physical presence during construction to ensure the built reality matches the drawn ambition.
Construction is traditionally the most daunting phase for a client. My presence absorbs that pressure. I act as the definitive point of contact for the contractor, fielding the daily technical queries so you do not have to. I monitor the execution closely to guarantee no compromises are made to the design or the materials. You are free to simply enjoy the progress, knowing the strict standards of our contract are being enforced on the ground.
Start a Project with Us
If you are considering an alteration, extension, or a structural refresh, get in touch. Send the location, a few photos, and a short description of what you want to achieve to joao@joaoferreira.co.uk.
