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Architectural Feasibility Studies: Key to Successful, Cost-Efficient Design Projects

Posted Tuesday 27 August, 2024 in Stories

If you’ve ever watched a home renovation show or followed the intricate planning of a futuristic building in a blockbuster movie, you’ve had a glimpse into the world of architectural feasibility studies. These studies are the secret sauce that ensures an architectural project is viable before diving in headfirst. For our architects in Shropshire, mastering the art of feasibility studies can turn a dream project into reality, just like those dramatic reveals on TV, and inevitably saves the client money by identifying and finding solutions for potential problems early on in the design process prior to any planning application support and further construction documents and project management our architecture firm may be able to support you in.

What is a Feasibility Study in Architecture?

Feasibilities are the bedrock of a design project. An example of this could be home design in the West Midlands. Before we can start transforming that old, creaky mansion into a modern marvel, you need to figure out if it’s even possible. That’s a feasibility study—a deep dive into whether your project can stand up to real-world challenges. It looks at everything from budget constraints and legal hurdles to environmental impacts and site suitability.

At Johnson Design Partnership, we have vast experience in feasibility studies across all sectors including large schemes in healthcare design and education design as well as commercial fit-out and industrial design.

Why Feasibility Studies Matter?

  1. Risk Mitigation: Think of a feasibility study as your superhero shield, protecting you from unexpected villains like hidden costs and regulatory roadblocks. This protection is crucial in healthcare design and education projects and others alike, to ensure safety and compliance.
  2. Informed Decision-Making: Like a detective gathers clues, feasibility studies provide architects and stakeholders with all the information they need to make smart decisions. For Shropshire architects, this means designing projects that meet local needs and adhere to regulations.
  3. Cost Efficiency: Imagine the horror of realizing halfway through a project that you’re way over budget. Feasibility studies help avoid these nightmares by identifying potential issues early, saving time and money.

Initial site investigation plan for a bespoke residential project

The Key Ingredients of a Feasibility Study

  1. Site Analysis: Picture scouting locations for a new theme park—this step evaluates if the proposed site is up to the task. For healthcare facilities, this means checking access for emergency vehicles and ensuring environmental safety. In education, it’s about finding a spot that’s convenient for students and staff.
  2. Regulatory Review: Every good heist movie has a scene where the team studies the security system. Similarly, architects need to understand local zoning laws, building codes, and other regulations to avoid any legal dramas.
  3. Financial Analysis: This is your budgeting phase, akin to figuring out if you can afford to build that dream treehouse. It involves estimating costs, exploring funding options, and projecting long-term expenses.
  4. Stakeholder Input: Think of this as getting feedback from your audience before launching a new TV show. For healthcare projects, you’ll consult with medical professionals and patients. For educational facilities, teachers, students, and administrators provide crucial insights.
  5. Environmental Impact Assessment: In the age of eco-conscious superheroes, understanding the environmental impact of your project is vital. This step assesses how your building will affect the local environment and explores sustainable design options.

Feasibility Studies for Healthcare Design

Healthcare facilities are like the intricate set designs of a sci-fi movie—every detail matters. Feasibility studies for these projects need to consider:

  • Clinical Needs: Ensuring the design supports patient care, with smooth workflows and specialized equipment.
  • Safety and Accessibility: Designing for safety and making sure the facility is accessible to everyone, like a well-planned escape route in an action flick.
  • Future Expansion: Planning for future growth, akin to leaving room for sequels in a blockbuster franchise.

Site analysis for complex brownfield site pegged for expansion at a hospital in the south of England.

Feasibility Studies for Educational Design

Designing educational facilities is like crafting the perfect school in a coming-of-age story. These studies focus on:

  • Educational Objectives: Aligning the design with the school’s goals, much like creating a set that reflects the narrative of a movie.
  • Flexibility: Designing spaces that can evolve with changing educational trends and technologies, just as a show adapts across seasons.
  • Community Integration: Ensuring the school serves as a hub for the community, much like a beloved neighbourhood coffee shop in a sitcom.

Image of a site constraints plan achieved for a feasibility study into a new primary school near London.

Conclusion

For Shropshire architects, especially those specializing in healthcare design and educational facilities, conducting thorough feasibility studies is like having a detailed script for a hit movie. These studies ensure your project is feasible, compliant, financially viable, and tailored to the needs of the community. By investing in comprehensive feasibility studies, architects can create successful, sustainable projects that are as rewarding as a surprise plot twist.

Contact Us For more information.

Masterplan as part of a series of healthcare feasibility studies across a NHS Trust Campus near London.

Feasibility into industrial design changes for a european factory. 

32 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews
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A key element of our business ethos is to provide our clients with access to the very best expertise and specialists in their field, always looking after their interests. Partnering with like-minded companies, such as Johnson Design Partnership, ensures we fulfil this ethos.

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Sean Byrne, CEO at The Del Bosque Group, Sean Byrne, CEO at The Del Bosque Group
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It had taken eighteen months for us to decide that we would re-locate to the ‘Strettons’. Moving house for us meant also moving an established ceramics and painting studio, we were concerned about finding a property within our budget that would also have the appropriate space.

It was obvious from our early property searches that finding the perfect ‘fit’ was very unlikely, so we took the opportunity to visit an open information weekend run by Johnson Design Partnership. We were immediately encouraged by what we saw and once we had purchased the property, we invited Johnson Design to visit and take a look.

Our original idea was to do a loft conversion as planning permission was already in place, but after a couple of exploratory meetings it became clear that this was unlikely to exploit the position of the property to its best advantage or indeed answer our need for comfortable bespoke studio space. These design conversations helped us focus on the true potential of the property, gradually the idea of a glass link between the original house and separate garage emerged as the way forward.

The final result is overwhelmingly better than we imagined it might be. ‘The Link ‘ has already become a creative centre, providing a light and airy space connecting inside and outside areas from both studio and house; not only is it a functional dining and living area but a truly peaceful and contemplative place to soak up the stunning changes in light of the sky and the landscape which surround us, but also a space to dream and imagine – a painting or ceramic form in the making?

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Mr and Mrs Farrell - Stretton Hills, Shropshire
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Our garden is long, narrow and lies along a steep, exposed slope. It is difficult to do anything meaningful with it. Vic Johnson and Andi Clews have developed plans for our garden which should result in something very special, with stunning entrance, privacy and exciting trails throughout the garden. Can’t wait to see it completed!

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Paul Griffiths
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Once we found Johnson Design we didn’t consider looking anywhere else. They offer such a professional and comprehensive service which made the whole process of extending our house totally hassle and stress free. We had some brilliant designs which were exactly what we wanted and from there they helped us with all the small and big details and to find the right builders for us. They were on hand at any time to answer questions and queries for us and to communicate with the building company on our behalf. Their advice at every step was so helpful. Our double storey extension is now finished and we couldn’t be more happy with it.

We would highly recommend this team without reservation.

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Kat Williams, Wolverhampton
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We would recommend Johnson Design for those wanting to extend their home. They came up with an original concept and layout, moving the stairs was something we’d not even considered but it works really well. They then worked with us to accommodate our ideas, making the design collaborative. They talked us through the various stages of the process and explained everything, also because they handled everything it meant we didn’t need to get involved with the complexities of the planning process.

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Mr and Mrs Clary – Bridgnorth, Shropshire
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I have now been living for two years in a house designed by Johnson Partnership. Matt Spinks and his team were our main contacts and we were delighted in the way they handled and developed our brief. The test of course is whether the house works as a home in winter and summer. This Johnson design passes the test with flying colours: the house meets all of our requirements for a comfortable, warm, airy and modern home.

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Mr Kitchen, Kinver
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From start to finish these guys were fantastic. I highly recommend this outfit I had them plan my renovation & they did such a good job I’m having them back to do another 2 properties that need pretty much the same work. Always at the end of the phone willing to offer any advice Matt Spinks has been a dynamite Tip top company !

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Mr Daye
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Many thanks to Johnson Design for delivering exactly what we wanted: A bright, flexible, modern space which brings the garden and the lovely views of the upper Corvedale into our home, without losing anything of the character and warmth of our historic stone farmhouse. The family home of nearly 30 years has been greatly enhanced, giving a perfect blend of old and new, and the perfect venue for entertaining and family get-togethers. The extension was the proud focus for our wedding celebration and garden party for more than 100 guests over the Bank Holiday weekend, and bought in more admiring comments than we could count!

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Mr and Mrs Coad - Much Wenlock