Design disciplines answer different questions: how the home works, what supports it and how it provides comfort. Coordinate them before construction.
Concept design
Agree needs, siting, form and system principles. Changing geometry or glazing is easier here than after structural components are ordered.
Architecture and envelope
Architecture establishes spaces, dimensions, openings and layer relationships. Define the thermal envelope here rather than leaving insulation decisions to installers.
Structural design
The structural engineer checks the load-bearing system, foundation, floors and openings. Coordinate service entries and large ducts before finalising reinforcement and beam layouts.
Building services
Ventilation, heating, water and electrical systems need space for routes, equipment and maintenance. Review effects on clear heights and junctions alongside architecture.
Information for construction
Construction needs coordinated drawings, details, specifications and current revisions. A rendering does not define fixings, tolerances or sealing methods.
Decisions not to defer
Foundation, window, service-shaft and thermal-layer positions affect one another. Track unresolved decisions and hold dependent work until they are coordinated.
| Item | Parameter | Check / result |
|---|---|---|
| Concept | What is needed | Agreed brief |
| Disciplines | How it works | Calculations + drawings |
| Construction set | How to build | Details + specifications |
What this means for your project
Agree deliverables, owners and revisions for each stage. Treat visualisation as an explanation of intent, not a complete construction design.
Sources and scope of review
Related reading
- When to Order a Review of an Existing House Design
- What to Check in a House Design Before Construction Starts
- The Thermal Envelope: How to Define It Correctly
All guides in this topic · Individual house design
How to coordinate architectural, structural and services design packages