Paper To Place Studio Ltd

What is the Process?

Whether you have a build project in mind, or are in need of a home interior redesign, the first step is always for us to meet with you, either virtually or in person to talk through your project and the ways we can support you. We will discuss your brief and what type of service you want. We offer flexible solutions; from a complete turn-key service to a more collaborative approach. From the earliest concepts through to planning submissions, statutory applications, and design development, we will exaplin the process so that you can decide which services you require from us. After this discussion, and armed with a clear brief, we’ll prepare a fee proposal that details the cost for us to carry out the work. 

Our goal is to make the process stress-free and enjoyable, delivering a home that not only looks beautiful but truly works for you.

Feasibility Studies

The first step for any successful project is to explore the possibilites at concept level. Do you know that you want to make a change in your home, but you are not sure what is achieveable?
Maybe you want to build your dream home in place of an existing building or on an open plot and you want an idea of the form and scale of what could be? This is where a feasibility study comes in.

We take time to get to know your requirements and what you want to get out of the project. We put the brief together, based on everything we learned from you. Once the brief is agreed, and we have the existing survey information, we will begin sketching. We will be reviewing all the site opportunities and constraints (prior to any third party input) and provide you with a feasibility proposal as a high-level layout plan and we will guide you through the thinking behind it. We will incorporate your feedback into a revised version of the plan to be agreed and move forward to the next stage.

Planning Applictions

We will develop an elevational design that eloquently expresses the arrangement of spaces within, while maintaining a relationship to the surrounding context. We will present the elevations to you, working your comments into a revised version of the drawings. Once the elevations have been signed off, we can begin to prepare the planning application submission. This may require reports from other consultants, based on the implications of your project and the Planning Policy of your Local Authority. We will be able to review these and advise you on what will be required. We can also aid you in procuring these if you need that support.
Note that some projects do not fall under the rules for requiring a full planning application to be submitted, and might be classed as 'permitted development'. If this is the case, we do always advise clients to seek a 'Lawful Development Certificate'. This means that the local authority are satisfied that the legal tests have been met and that the works may proceed without consent being sought. It is important to be aware that your project might need planning permission. If you carry out work without having been granted the required planning permission, you could be served with an enforcement notice to reverse all the works.

Technical Drawings and Specifications / Building Control Submissions

At this stage, you have either been granted planning permission, or you have had certification from the local authority that planning permission is not required for your project. We bring our technical expertise and skill to ensure the project is safe and compliant, and because the more accurate information your contractor has, the easier the build stage will be. We work in a 3D CAD environment, meaning that you will be able to view a modelled version of the proposal, enabling you to visualise the spaces.
Please check with us to get the right advice on whether Building Control Approval is needed, so that you do not get caught out later. When Building Control is not sought for a notifiable project, this can lead to difficulties later down the line, for example, if you want to sell your home and there is no Building Control Approval Certification to pass on to the buyer. You might be liable to seek a 'Regularisation Certificate', which could become very costly or require works to be demolished.
Following on from Building Control Approval, the search for the right person to build begins. You may have someone you already know and trust to take this on. If not, we can help you manage the search with the 'Tender Process'. This is an invitation for contractors to bid for the job, where you get to select to who to work with, based on the responses they provide.

Interior Design

We delight in working collaboratively with you to create your interior scheme. It is very important that the architecture and the interior schemes blend with one another. Our approach is to get to know you and your personality. You are our inspiration, which we work into the the proposals.

We present an initial interior design scheme to you and you will give us your thoughts, which we will use to refine the proposals. The standard package would include the overall scheme, with floor plan and mood boards, but we can provide an extra service that includes a 'shopping list' with product links, bespoke joinery design, internal elevations and 3D views. For the enhanced interiors package, we source finishes, furnishings, and styling elements, curating every detail so your space feels cohesive and personal. 

Whether your project is asking us to reimagine your bathroom, rethink your kitchen, or if we are creating your entire interior proposal alongside your build project, we offer interior design schemes that are deeply personal to you and those you share your space with.

On site Construction Support and Contract Administration

We can provide valuable on-site construction support during the build stage. We schedule visit sites at regular intervals to review progress, help ensure the work aligns with the design, and address any issues that arise during construction. If you desire, we can also provide the contract administration service, managing communication between you and the contractor, reviewing invoices and change orders, and helping to ensure the project stays on schedule and within the agreed scope. We find that this oversight gives homeowners confidence that their investment is being carefully monitored from start to finish.

Principal Designer

As a domestic Client, on a project that is likely to involve more than one contractor, you have a statutory duty to appoint a Principal Designer and a Principal Contractor. We can provide Principal Designer services under CDM and Building Regulations up to construction stage, where the Principal Contractor normally takes this on. This is due to a change in regulations and the Building Safety Act 2022, born out of the tragic events of Grenfell. We have a blog post about this that explains the requirements in more detail here.

FAQ

The heart of our work is inclusive design, creating homes that are beautiful, functional, and welcoming for people of all ages, abilities, and lifestyles. We believe thoughtful design should adapt to you, not the other way around. By prioritising accessibility, comfort, and flexibility from the start, we craft individual homes that grow with you and reflect your unique needs. Partner with us to design a home that truly fits your life and who you are.

We work on everything from a single room refurbishment to full new builds. What matters most is creating a home that works for you.

As little or as much as you want to be. We can provide a turnkey service, handling permits, contractors, site visits, and interiors, so you can relax while everything is managed for you.

Yes. We can prepare and submit all drawings and applications, and liaise directly with the planning department on your behalf.

If required, we can provide project management and Contract Administrator roles during construction stage. We work closely with trusted building teams, carry out site inspections, and make sure the project stays on track and to the standard you expect.

We collaborate with our clients, getting to know them and their tastes, to guide the architecture and the interior scheme to perform cohesively, while showcasing the personality of who lives in that space so that it feels undeniably like their home.

It depends on the size and complexity of your project. Refurbishments may take a few months, while new builds can be longer.

Yes. Sustainability is at the heart of our design process. We select materials and solutions that are environmentally responsible without compromising on quality or style.

Yes, we can provide our architectural services online or remotely, depending on the scope of work required. Through virtual consultations, digital design presentations, and regular online communication, we can effectively collaborate with you, ensuring your project progresses smoothly, efficiently, and with the same attention to detail as in-person services.

It all begins with a conversation. Contact us to arrange a free consultation on WhatsApp or by phone, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.