Areas of experience and architectural services provided by Leonard Design.

Leonard Design is run by Paul Leonard, an architect with sixteen years experience gained working in central London with private clients and developers. The commission base is one of high quality residential refurbishment.

Professional qualifications

Diploma in Architecture
Bachelor of Architectural Science
Architects Registration Board (UK)
Member of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland

Areas of experience

Feasibility studies
Planning Permissions
Listed Building consent
Landlord, Estate and Freeholder consents
Building control approvals
Full working detail drawings
Construction specification
Project Management
Interior and furniture design

Leonard Design has an extensive client list including Private and Development Clients:

BP Pension Fund
Winkworths
President Furniture
FPDSavills
DTZ
M Tims & Co

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Feasibility Studies:

Establish the scope of the project for development. Establish the client's brief. Explore ideas with the client. Produce sketch schemes to illustrate the options and opportunities available to the client.

Planning Permissions:

Prepare detailed survey drawings, plans, sections and elevations, of the property as existing. Produce proposed drawings incorporating the scheme agreed earlier with the client. Discuss the scheme with the local authority prior to the formal application to agree any revisions to avoid problems when the application is submitted. Submit a formal planning application to the local planning department. Meet the planners at the property to explain the scheme and agree any minor changes prior to the grant of planning permission. While Leonard Design is unable to guarantee that planning permission will be granted, we do run a success rate of approximately 95%. In difficult cases the services of an independent planner will be used to best advantage.

Listed Building Consent:

Certain buildings of historical merit are Listed and protected under law. The level of the Listing depends on the importance of the building, Grade II is the most common with Grade I accounting for approx. 5% of buildings. If your property is Listed any alterations, internal or external, will require Listed Building Consent in addition to any planning permission required. Leonard Design has experience with both grades of Listed Buildings. Like a planning application the Listed Building Consent application is a formal submission and includes scaled drawings of the existing and proposed building including a detailed description of the proposed works. If you would like to find out more about Listed Buildings visit here http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

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Landlord, Estate and Freeholder Consents:

A lot of properties in central London are owned via a lease which is granted by a Freeholder or Landlord. Well known Estates such as Cadogan and Grosvenor operate strict procedures when ‘their’ Estate properties are refurbished. Their explicit consent is require in addition to Planning Permission or Listed Building Consent prior to the commencement of any works. Additionally, they apply minimum standards for materials, which are normally higher than the normal building standards to insure the longevity of their building stock. Leonard Design has experience dealing with the large Estates and individual Freeholders and will present the client's proposals in the appropriate format to obtain a Licence for the works. In some instances the Freeholder may charge a premium for the grant of the approval.

Building Control Approvals:

As part of any onsite operation the local authority are obliged to make sure that the standard of building work in their borough complies with Building Regulations. Every local authority operates a Building Control Department, which monitors and inspects the construction work in the borough on an everyday basis. In most instances the building work will require a formal Building Control Application to be submitted to the council together with a fee [based upon their fee scale]. This application includes the working drawings, which detail the scope of the works and the structural engineer's details are included where relevant. Upon completion of the works the Building Control Officer will ‘sign off’ the site and issue a ‘Certificate of Completion’, which confirms that the building works comply with the Building Regulations. This certificate is important in the same way as any planning permissions granted on an individual property. Leonard Design will submit the Building Control Application as part of the brief.

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Full Working Detail Drawings:

The small scaled design drawings, used for Planning Permission or Listed Building Consent applications are not detailed enough to be used for construction purposes. Larger scale and detailed drawings are produced which illustrate to all relevant parties how the building is to be built, the standard and with what materials. These detailed drawings include kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, electrical and mechanical layouts where relevant.

Construction Specification:

To combine all the construction information previously produced by the architect and structural engineer a written summary of the building work is produced and is called a specification. This details all the elements of the project from site restrictions, contract terms, minimum standards of workmanship and material to the construction of the building. This document is also used to determine how much the contractor is paid when monthly valuations are undertaken.

Project Management:

Once a contractor is appointed and work starts onsite the project will require supervision. This service coordinates the contractor's work programme with the client’s suppliers [kitchen, bathroom, tiling, flooring etc]. The day to day issues that arise are referred to the relevant person and a decision made to allow the works to move ahead. The contractor will be paid by the client at intervals. Leonard Design will undertake valuations of the work completed by the contractor and certify the value of payment the client should make. The client will pay the contractor in arrears. Regular site meetings are held with minutes issued to all the relevant parties. It is important to keep communications regular within the team. Any changes or alterations are agreed and instructed. Towards the end of the contract period snagging is undertaken and agreed with the contractor in order to conclude the works prior to the hand over to the client.

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Interior and Furniture Design:

Leonard Design will design and detail interiors and furniture when included in the client's brief.

Other Consultants:

The services of other consultants will be required in most instances. Typically they include a structural engineer and party wall surveyor. Leonard Design will recommend companies appropriate to the client and project needs. These consultants are appointed directly by the client. Within the design team Leonard Design normally act as the lead consultant coordinating the services of the other professionals.

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