Barre Body

Working in the commercial context, we understand that our clients are investing in more than a beautiful design outcome. It is an opportunity to express your values and facilitate growth in your business. We understand there are significant financial and logistical consequences for you if deadlines and handover dates are not met, so prioritise timely delivery, clear communication and considerate client liaison.

We spread the delivery of our architectural services across eight project phases that commence with discovery and conclude with construction.

To give you an idea of how this works, read on for a case study of one of our completed commercial projects, Barre Body.

1. Discovery

Duration: 2 weeks

Barre Body is a luxury exercise provider with studios located around Australia. Our clients, Emma and Matt, engaged us when an opportunity arose to relocate their flagship Melbourne studio. They approached us with an ambitious time frame, modest budget and aspirations for a fantastic design outcome that captured the essence of the Barre Body brand philosophy.

In the discovery phase we gathered information about the proposed new studio space, Emma and Matt’s business, their staff and clients, and helped them articulate a design brief for the project.

2. Masterplan

Duration: 1 week

We put together three layout options for the new studio space and cost guides against each. This was an important exercise that allowed Emma and Matt to test out possibilities for their new studio and maintain control over the direction of both the design and their budget.

3. Sketch Design

Duration: 2 weeks 

In the sketch design phase, we converted Emma and Matt’s preferred masterplan option into a three dimensional design that carefully considered the fast tracked construction process that was required. Our design was deliberately conceived as a series of independent elements that could be constructed simultaneously rather than sequentially so their ambitious timeline could be met. This approach also allowed us to keep tight control over the modest budget constraints.

We produced plans, sections and a digital model to give a holistic understanding of the design.

4. Town Planning

Duration: N/A 

As the scope of Emma and Matt’s project was limited to an interior fitout, town planning approval wasn’t required. This allowed us to skip this phase entirely and jump ahead to detail design without delay.

5. Detail Design

Duration: 1 week

In the detail design phase, we focused on the specific requirements for each space within the new studio. Weconsidered a host of needs, including the aesthetics of the Barre Body brand, the operational flow of the studio, security andprivacy, and presented each part of the solution to Emma and Matt. The end result was a design characterised by raw and honest materials, a practical layout and clever use of a tight space. These elements underpinned an identity for the new studio that was closely aligned to Barre Body’s mission and core values.

6. Documentation

Duration: 4 weeks

By now, Emma and Matt had a comprehensive understanding of how their new studio was going to look and operate, which materials and fixtures were going to be used, and how our vision could be achieved within their tight construction timeline.

In the documentation phase, we translated our resolved design ideas into a thorough set of technical construction documents that would allow Emma and Matt to obtain a building permit and procure a building contract.

7. Tendering

Duration: 3 weeks

In the tendering phase, we helped Emma and Matt obtain a building permit, tender their project and establish a building contract.

There are several different tendering approaches, but for Barre Body we decided with Emma and Matt that a competitive tender was the preferred method. We invited four construction companies to submit prices, giving Emma and Matt confidence that they had the right builder on board and the project cost represented best market value.

Offbite Projects, a skilled builder with extensive commercial construction experience, was selected for the project. We were now ready to sign a building contract and begin building.

8. Construction

Duration: 4 weeks

Like most commercial projects, construction of the new Barre Body studio was an interruption to business as usual. Critical to the success of our involvement with Emma and Matt’s flagship studio was thus our ability to facilitate a seamless transition between the closure of the original studio space and opening of the new. We helped Offbite Projects meet a non-negotiable four-week construction timeline through close collaboration and a design strategy that allowed for simultaneous rather than sequential construction.

Throughout this hectic process, we worked with Offbite Projects to ensure the intended design quality was still achieved. We attended site meetings twice a week, answering questions and providing extra information as needed. We also acted as Emma and Matt’s agent, assessing progress payment claims as they came in.

Exactly four weeks after the start of construction and with great pride and excitement, Emma and Matt opened their brand new Barre Body studio.

We drew on the vision and experience of Emma and Matt to create a new flagship studio for Barre Body. We worked with them to provide a holistic design service that delivered a wonderful new studio space on time and on budget.

If you’d like to work with us on your project, we’d love to hear from you.