NM Architecture is committed to providing the highest quality of building design, consultation & project management services.

NM Architecture supports you with its wide-ranging knowledge and depth of experience in designing & converting your ideas into reality. We take the time to listen and to understand your ideas, lifestyle needs and goals. We do our best to achieve client satisfaction, efficiency in all aspects of our work, cost-effectiveness and optimum productivity. Regardless of the project type, our client remains our focus and this ultimately results in giving you ‘peace of mind’ and ‘confidence’ throughout the entire process.

The process of creating a building design is intricate, with each project this intricacy deepens as it carries its unique challenges, goals, and expectations.

Planning assessment and decision-making are often complicated processes and might include rules about respecting neighborhood character, achieving good urban design outcomes, protecting reasonable amenity and enhancing heritage significance.

Phase 1 – Initial Discussion

This is a precursory activity for any project. In this phase, our team gathers all the necessary information for a proposed project, assesses the scope of the development, and explores options for delivering the project.

The scope of work in this phase includes:
– Location of the property
– Type of the proposed development
– Goals, needs and requirements to be fulfilled and achieved
– The budget for the proposed development
– Types of Building & Purposes
– Architectural Style
– Familiarisation with the client’s information provided

Aims: To provide the client with the best solution and professional advice based on all the information collected at this stage.

Phase 2 – Site Investigation & Feasibility Planning 

Feasibility planning is preliminary research undertaken in the very early stages of a project and performed so as to ascertain if the client’s idea is achievable or if we need to explore another option.

The scope of work in this phase includes:
– On-site Inspection
– Covenants & Restrictions
– Discussion with the relevant authority
– Basic Property Research (Zones & Schedules, Overlies, Local policies)
– Basic Underground Services Research
– Basic Neighbourhood analysis
– Approvals & Permit requirements

Aims: To determine at an early stage if the client’s ideas and goals are achievable or whether another option needs to be explored.

Phase 3 – Project Analysis and NMA Administration

This stage consists of the provision of information for the design process and expectations, the scope of work chosen by the client, terms & conditions, estimates for of our services, payment options, schedule of payment progress and the engagement letter for the project and invoice.

The scope of work in this phase includes:
– Budget prioritisation and client expectations
– Current and Improved resale value discussion
– Likely approval process and controls
– Master plan staging, timeframe & time planning
– Approximate building cost summary for budgeting
– Fee Proposal and Engagement Agreement & Client Acceptance

Aims: Full transparency of the building design & approvals process and a clear view of the client’s expectations.

Phase 4 – Concept Design & Comprehensive Investigation

This is the fundamental component of every project. Based on all the information collected in this and previous phases, our team will prepare a concept design in order to communicate their idea and allow the client to appraise and assess it. Our goal is to achieve our client’s satisfaction along with efficiency and optimum productivity.

The scope of work in this phase include:
– Existing Buildings & Measurements
– Engagement of Engineers & Consultants
– Architectural Sketches to explain the concept design
– Assessment of authorities’ regulations and requirements
– Architectural style, materials, space functionality
– Presentation of a schematic design to the client for approval

Aims: To create a unique design that both meets the client’s requirements and exceeds the client’s expectations.

Phase 5 – Design Development – Planning Purpose

Implementation of the client’s requirements and development of the initial sketches to a greater degree of finality, incorporating internal spaces functionality, external elevations and finishing materials etc. The design development is a clear and coordinated description of all design aspects and will very specifically define the development.

The scope of work in this phase includes:
– Developing the approved concept design
– Finalising the functionality of internal spaces
– Meetings with relevant authorities
– Coordination with engaged external consultants
– Preparation of town planning set of drawings & documentation
– Presentation of developed design drawings to the client for approval

Aims: To resolve, improve and demonstrate compliance with relevant government policies 

Planning assessment and decision-making are often complicated processes and include rules about respecting the character of neighbourhoods, achieving good urban design outcomes, protecting reasonable amenities and enhancing the significance of heritage.

Phase 6 –   Planning Application & Submission

Based on all of the information collected in the previous phases, our team will complete a set of documents, fill in the relevant application forms, provide any required information and pay a stated fee.  The next step is the official lodging of an application and then the town planning process begins.

The scope of work in this phase include:
– Selecting the type of permit
– Properly completed application form
– Full payment of appropriate application fee(s)
– Town Planning Relevant Reports
– Documentation for permit purposes

Aims: To present the proposed development to the council and demonstrate compliance with all relevant regulations and policies. regulations and policies.

Phase 7 –  Application Assessment by Council 

After the application is submitted, we will receive an acknowledgment letter from the Council’s Planning Department with an application number and the planner allocated to the consideration of the application. As part of the preliminary assessment, the planner will assess the application against all relevant regulations and policies and advise us as to whether more information is required to support the application.

The scope of work in this phase include:
– Relevant approvals from asset owners
– Adjustments to the  Development to suit the council’s requirements
– Demonstrating that the development complies with standards, respects site amenities, neighbourhood, streetscape and the local area.
– Supporting Consultants and Engineers Assessments

Aims: To resolve any issue and receive council support for public notification (advertising).

Phase 8 –  Public Notification (Advertising)

Once the Council’s Planning Department receives all the requested documentation, the council will decide whether or not a public notification is required. If the planners are satisfied that the application will not cause material detriment to any person, the application will not be advertised. The Council’s Planning Department will decide whether advertising is required or not, what are the fees and how public notification needs to be given.
The public notification could take the form of:
– Mail notification / On-site signage / Advertisement in the local newspaper
The Council will require a statutory declaration from the applicant as evidence that advertising has been completed. The application won’t be processed further until the advertising has been completed to the Council’s satisfaction and the statutory declaration returned to Council.

Aims: To notify the community of the proposed application and to ask their opinion.

Phase 09 –  Final Assessment (Decision)

The Council’s Planning Department prepares a report describing the proposal, the relevant policies, planning scheme requirements, the assessment process and any objections.

The Decision: If there are a certain number of objections, the application may be decided at a Council Meeting. If the Council decides to grant a permit, and there are objections, the Council can issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit but cannot issue the permit until 21days have passed. This is in order for appeals to be made to VCAT. Providing none have been lodged, after this time, the permit will be issued.

Notice of the Decision: The permit applicant and the objectors will receive a copy of the Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit. The notice will include all the conditions the applicant must comply with and will identify the plans

Phase 10 – Appealing Against a Decision – VCAT  

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) independently reviews decisions made by councils about planning permit applications and other planning matters. The state government appoints VCAT members who are qualified legal practitioners, planners and other specialists. VCAT conducts public hearings and considers submissions made by all the parties. VCAT makes its assessment of the proposal’s planning merits and decides whether a permit should be granted, and what permit conditions are appropriate. An appeal to VCAT is called an Application for Review. The party making the application for review is called the Applicant for Review. One or more VCAT members hear the case and hearings are conducted in a structured, formal way. A lawyer or a planner may represent parties, but this is not essential, and many permit applicants and objectors present their own submissions.

Aims: The application to be assessed by the professional independent body and decide whether council’s decision and objectors are right or not.

An application for VCAT review involves all parties in a considerable amount of time, effort and expense, and it should be carefully considered

We are always happy to make a meaningful input in your project by providing real-time professional consultation and advice

NM Architecture supports you with its wide-ranging knowledge and depth of experience in designing & converting your ideas into reality. We take the time to listen and to understand your ideas, lifestyle needs and goals. We do our best to achieve client satisfaction, efficiency in all aspects of our work, cost-effectiveness and optimum productivity. Regardless of the project type, our client remains our focus and this ultimately results in giving you ‘peace of mind’ and ‘confidence’ throughout the entire process.

We are happy to offer you full service or customised to meet your needs and guide you through to make it an enjoyable experience for you.

Do not hesitate to get in touch with our team or to place your enquiry and we endeavour that we will reply to your enquiry or contact you immediately.

Contact details:

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Have a question, enquiries, feedback or require professional consultation and advice, please feel free to reach us via this contact form and our customer care representatives will get back to you very soon.
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