Practice

At Quinn Architects our approach to architecture is both detail orientated and collaborative. As our client you are involved and kept up to date throughout all stages of your project. Your needs as well as construction industry trends are considered to help us achieve high quality architectural design and provide an excellent architectural service from early design conception through to completion.

Our studio team ensure that the design and technical solutions evolve through Research, Exploration, Analysis, Understanding and Collaboration with all concerned to deliver great design solutions.

With extensive experience in fit-out projects, we pride ourselves in the methodical and logical design approach we take in transforming existing spaces to maximise their potential. We offer full fit-out services from help defining the brief, initial feasibility and compliance reports, re-organisation of internal layouts to meet clients’ needs through to the finer details of interior design.

Our approach to Interior design is to create a connection with the context through appropriate consideration of space, colour, tones, textures, materials, furniture, lighting and architectural graphics to enhance the interior environment. In order to achieve this we pay particular attention to the detail. Everything from the skirting boards, architraves, door panels, door handles to the type of light switch are carefully considered to ensure that the space is transformed and full of life. Our interior design work is inspired by nature, art and the world around us and our goal is to inspire our Clients with the completed project.

We offer a feasibility study service for a wide range of projects from one-off housing projects through to large scale campus projects with a high level of experienced assessment to identify the potential of a site. This study will provide a considered evaluation of all the key aspects of a potential project. These include analysis of site potential, design opportunities, planning opportunities and associated risks, timescales and the likely building costs of the proposed works. We recognise that the study is a means to an end, and we aim to produce a document that is a useful tool to our clients, one to guide you through the next stages of your project.

Having gained vast experience of the planning process with a large range of local authorities, we are confident in the preparation and lodgement of planning applications to meet both the project brief and align with local design guidelines as set out in the relevant County Development & Local Area Plans. We recognise that a planning application requires more than a good design proposal with attention to detail, early and clear communication with the local authority and a strong knowledge of planning legislation all helping to make this process as smooth and efficient as possible. We provide clarity, expertise and support to our clients throughout all planning stages including the appeals process should this be required.

Should your project require a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) and Disability Access Certificate (DAC), we can prepare and lodge all relevant drawings and documentation to the local authority to obtain such certification. Our team is qualified and experienced in delivering this service which will identify all fire safety and disability access requirements to comply with the latest Building Regulations while seamlessly integrating these into a strong architectural design.

We have considerable expertise in master planning and urban design in a wide range of scales. This service provides a foundation for smart future development through a collaborative architectural approach considering the wider and longer-term design & development opportunities. We pride ourselves in exploring various options which may not be obvious from the outset to ensure the best solution is proposed to our clients following detailed analysis of all elements which inform & influence future development.

As part of the Building Control Regulations there is an obligation for the building owner to appoint a competent person to act as an Assigned Certifier whose responsibility it is to inspect the works, co-ordinate the inspection activities of others during construction and to certify the works on completion. The role of Assigned Certifier does not include responsibility for the supervision of any builder. We offer this role as part of our standard service.

The PSDP – Project Supervisor Design Process is appointed by the Client to oversee the design elements of the project. The primary function is to focus on the principles of prevention during the design stage by identifying hazards and eliminating them or mitigate the risk prior to the start of construction. While also ensuring that the work of other consultant designers is co-ordinated, and that Design Risk Assessments are prepared, we also prepare the Preliminary Health and Safety Plan where required and issue it as part of the tender documents. On completion of the project, we will co-ordinate the compilation of the Safety File and issue it to the Client. We have extensive experience and competency to carry out this role and offer it as part of our service for suitable projects.

Quinn Architects is now a BIM accredited organisation through the NSAI. We believe BIM is about information management: delivery of the right information, to the right people, at the right time. For our clients, BIM means greater integration in the design process, increased confidence at construction stage and reliable asset operation and maintenance information at handover.

Information coming soon

Project Manager is a role we regularly and confidently provide for projects in our office. We have a good reputation for taking a collaborative approach at both design and construction stages.  We take pride in our leadership and management skills of guide both Design Team and appointed Contractors through a co-ordinated and efficient design and delivery process for our Clients.  

The Building Control Amendment Regulations came into force in 2014, their aim is to ensure that buildings and building works are designed and constructed in accordance with the relevant Building Regulations. Building owners, Designers and Builders must adhere to this legal requirement.

In summary they require that drawings that comply with the requirements of the building regulations are prepared and submitted to the relevant building control authority at commencement stage of the project. An inspection plan is prepared that will set out the areas of the development that will be inspected when the project commences on site. Signed mandatory certificates of compliance by the designers prior to construction will be submitted and similar certifications together with the final inspection plan will be submitted on completion.

Manging this process at site stage is complex and requires the robust set of Quality Control Procedures that we have in place to be implemented to ensure compliance at all stages. At site stage the main Contractor must issue Technical Submittals on all products used and these documents must be reviewed, checked for compliance and recorded. A schedule of site inspections of the works at various progress stages will be carried out by the Ancillary Certifiers, non-compliant works to be identified and resolved by the Contractors. All inspections will be recorded in the final inspection plan which will be submitted together with signed Certificates of Compliance on Completion to the Building Control Management System (BCMS) with the application for a Completion Certificate at the end of the project.

We have extensive experience of successfully managing this process on a wide range of projects. We use a software data-based system that allows us to digitally record on a phone or tablet the exact location of a site issue on a drawing with linked photos that will input directly into the Inspection Plan. The Inspection report that is generated by the software is issued to the Contractor, once the issue is resolved they simply access the inspection plan and add a description and photos of the remedial action taken and submit to the Assigned Certifier for review and confirmation of close out. This is a rigorous quality control system that tracks all site issues and their resolution and assists in delivering a compliant development to our Clients.