Interview with Re:Design Group

2017-05-05T16:02:55Z

Re:Design Group:

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How do Re:Design differ from other architecture firms in terms of turning project dreams into reality?
|}

Noman Beg (NB):

The way we deal with a project itself is very personal. We tend to advise clients and make them aware of the difficulties and challenges more than perhaps others would.

If a client wants to do something that would ramp up their costs, we will put unorthodox designs and features within a development just to allow them to visualise things they may not have thought about. We go the extra mile in terms of doing plans in 3D and breaking things down, to show them how it’s going to affect their property. Rather than just talking about it, we tend to be very visual in that respect.

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What design technology do Re:Design use?
|}

NB:

We have a very multi-lingual firm in terms of design software we use. We are happy for our guys to use whatever they’re comfortable with, as long as there’s cross-platform compatibility, we don’t pigeon hole ourselves to one form of software.

A lot of our people are very energetic and want to advance their own skill-set, so we have people using AutoCAD, others using ArchiCad, others using Vectorworks, and all things in between.

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What eco-friendly practices and methods do Re:Design employ?
|}

NB:

We try and be as reasonable as we can in terms of sustainability. We’re not really a very ‘banging the drum’ sustainable practice but we do understand that those measures can result in a more comfortable setting for the family or household, and reduce energy bills.

What we’ve tended to try and do is instead of advising clients to install things like photovoltaics, energy source pumps, and so on, but instead to better insulate the building because not only will it keep the heat in, but it will keep the cold out.

{|
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How do you increase the success rate of your planning permission applications?
|}

NB:

For one thing we have a lot of experience in that regard, which plays into it, and we tend to have a good rapport with local authorities. Obviously we know what is and isn’t acceptable but again if a client is asking for something that we feel isn’t going to benefit them or their application, we will be honest and tell them not to go down that route.

It’s a matter of guiding clients, making them aware of their choices and the limitations and restrictions before it even gets to that stage.

Due to the number of applications we put in – between 10 to 15 each month – over the last 15 years or so, we know most of the managers in the South London local authorities quite well, we know the discussions and negotiations that are required.

{|
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What are the biggest challenges Re:Design face in your work?
|}

NB:

The professional liaison, between us, the client and the local authority, and being able to translate that into something that the client wants to achieve.

We are pretty good in terms of understanding people’s requirements, but again it’s a case of actually making them a reality considering all the restrictions and guidelines that are now in place. It’s not a problem for us to design anything, and of course everything can be built at a cost, but if the local authority and their decision doesn’t allow it to happen, or there are obstructions in the way of doing so it makes our life a lot more difficult.

It might be a benefit there being more transparency and flexibility in terms of legislation but we’re it seems to be getting more and more difficult at the moment.

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:
If you could change one thing about the construction industry what would it be?
|}

NB:

Make people more accepting of the fact that you pay for a service!

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:
What are you hoping to see in the election manifestos that might make a difference to Re:Design?
|}

NB:

In the manifestos themselves I’m not too sure, but I’m hoping that the government is able to provide comfort that the market isn't going to go anywhere.

The problem we’ve had is that over 2016, it was a very tough year in terms of getting projects off the ground, a lot of larger projects stalled, projects put on back-burners. Ever since Brexit was announced there has been an explosion in work, because people now know where the market is going and they’re not too worried about what’s going to happen it seems.

I’m hoping it will stabilise the London market as well because it shot up through the roof to levels that are in absurd, nonsensical places, and it needs to have a check and measure put in place to bring levels back down to what is practical.

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:
What does the future hold for Re:Design?
|}

NB:

Interview with Re:Design Group

2017-05-05T15:58:10Z

Re:Design Group: Created page with "{| |width="100%"|Designing Buildings Wiki (DBW): How do Re:Design differ from other architecture firms in terms of turning project dreams into reality? |} Noman Beg (NB): The ..."

{|
|width="100%"|Designing Buildings Wiki (DBW):

How do Re:Design differ from other architecture firms in terms of turning project dreams into reality?
|}

Noman Beg (NB):

The way we deal with a project itself is very personal. We tend to advise clients and make them aware of the difficulties and challenges more than perhaps others would.

If a client wants to do something that would ramp up their costs, we will put unorthodox designs and features within a development just to allow them to visualise things they may not have thought about. We go the extra mile in terms of doing plans in 3D and breaking things down, to show them how it’s going to affect their property. Rather than just talking about it, we tend to be very visual in that respect.

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:

What design technology do Re:Design use?
|}

NB:

We have a very multi-lingual firm in terms of design software we use. We are happy for our guys to use whatever they’re comfortable with, as long as there’s cross-platform compatibility, we don’t pigeon hole ourselves to one form of software.

A lot of our people are very energetic and want to advance their own skill-set, so we have people using AutoCAD, others using ArchiCad, others using Vectorworks, and all things in between.

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:

What eco-friendly practices and methods do Re:Design employ?
|}

NB:

We try and be as reasonable as we can in terms of sustainability. We’re not really a very ‘banging the drum’ sustainable practice but we do understand that those measures can result in a more comfortable setting for the family or household, and reduce energy bills.

What we’ve tended to try and do is instead of advising clients to install things like photovoltaics, energy source pumps, and so on, but instead to better insulate the building because not only will it keep the heat in, but it will keep the cold out.

Obviously, all of our ethos in terms of using sustainable materials, we are active in that respect, but I wouldn’t say we were an eco-based practice.

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:

How do you increase the success rate of your planning permission applications?
|}

NB:

For one thing we have a lot of experience in that regard, which plays into it, and we tend to have a good rapport with local authorities. Obviously we know what is and isn’t acceptable but again if a client is asking for something that we feel isn’t going to benefit them or their application, we will be honest and tell them not to go down that route.

It’s a matter of guiding clients, making them aware of their choices and the limitations and restrictions before it even gets to that stage.

Due to the number of applications we put in – between 10 to 15 each month – over the last 15 years or so, we know most of the managers in the South London local authorities quite well, we know the discussions and negotiations that are required.

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:

What are the biggest challenges Re:Design face in your work?
|}

NB:

The professional liaison, between us, the client and the local authority, and being able to translate that into something that the client wants to achieve.

We are pretty good in terms of understanding people’s requirements, but again it’s a case of actually making them a reality considering all the restrictions and guidelines that are now in place. It’s not a problem for us to design anything, and of course everything can be built at a cost, but if the local authority and their decision doesn’t allow it to happen, or there are obstructions in the way of doing so it makes our life a lot more difficult.

It might be a benefit there being more transparency and flexibility in terms of legislation but we’re it seems to be getting more and more difficult at the moment. A lot of the control an architect has has already been restricted by releasing rafts of legislation and guidelines that have very rarely been updated.

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:

If you could change one thing about the construction industry what would it be?
|}

NB:

Make people more accepting of the fact that you pay for a service!

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:

What are you hoping to see in the election manifestos that might make a difference to Re:Design?
|}

NB:

In the manifestos themselves I’m not too sure, but I’m hoping that the government is able to provide comfort that the market isn't going to go anywhere.

The problem we’ve had is that over 2016, it was a very tough year in terms of getting projects off the ground, a lot of larger projects stalled, projects put on back-burners. Ever since Brexit was announced there has been an explosion in work, because people now know where the market is going and they’re not too worried about what’s going to happen it seems.

I’m hoping it will stabilise the London market as well because it shot up through the roof to levels that are in absurd, non-sensical places, and it needs to have a check and measure put in place to bring levels back down to what is practical.

{|
|width="100%"|DBW:

What does the future hold for Re:Design?
|}

NB:

Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Interview with Re:Design Group

Interview with Re:Design Group