Providing detailed technical drawings, coordinating specification requirements and ensuring information is thoroughly checked before reaching the next stage, we explain the vital role of our design team in turning ideas into reality.
A crucial part of any construction project, the design stage is where an architect’s initial concept is successfully transformed into a fully-fledged and feasible plan.
Mapping out the details with technical drawings, it is during this process that everything – from performance and compliance to aesthetics – is refined and considered before it reaches the procurement, manufacture and installation stages.
“The design stage is critical, because you’re essentially taking an architect’s idea and fine-tuning it, right down to the installation of each individual product,” says Luke Cox, Commercial Façade Designer at Acorn Aluminium.
Taking care not to deviate from the original concept, our design team considers the key requirements and objectives of the project to ensure they are met, ensuring accurate, efficient and safe installation on site.
“To keep in line with the architect’s intent, we’ll always make sure we’re referring back to their original specification,” explains Luke. “This factors-in acoustics, fire, thermal, and everything involved in the architect’s original vision.”
Thorough checks
With information requests and amendments part and parcel of a project’s progression, we help manage this process to ensure that key details are not overlooked.
Operating a thorough checking process, drawings and documents are reviewed by different team members and departments to leave no stone unturned.
“There are constant changes – that’s what the design process is for,” continues Luke. “At Acorn, we’ve got a vigorous checking process throughout the whole design stage, from estimating to final product.
“You never check your own work but always have someone else look at it with a fresh set of eyes. This makes sure that we’re picking up on any lost or missing information.”
Traceability and accountability
Once drawings and documents are signed off, they are passed through to processors, who create cut lists for the factory. These are checked again before manufacture begins. A clear handover system ensures the factory has accurate information and reduces the risk of errors during fabrication.
“The verification and handover process, from design to procurement and manufacture, involves us issuing our drawings and documents to the processors,” confirms Luke.
“From there, they create the cut lists for the guys in the factory, which, before it even makes it to them, we check. That ensures that there’s traceability and accountability for these documents.
“They’re signed by us and then they go through to the factory whereby the guys on the machines can then process and fabricate the items on the cut list.”
This thoroughly coordinated process makes mistakes during fabrication and installation less likely, providing our clients with greater confidence that the finished project will meet the original design intent, as well as compliance and technical performance requirements.
From concept to completion
Early engagement, meticulous planning and rigorous checking procedures result in pain-free procurement, better manufacturing accuracy and ultimately, a higher quality installation.
“There’s more to the design stage than just drawings,” adds Luke.
“Working with an experienced façade design team like ours gives architects, specifiers and main contractors reassurance that all the key requirements are being properly managed from start to finish.
“Compliance, programme certainty and design integrity are all protected from the outset and that creates a really solid foundation for a successful project.”
For more about Acorn Aluminium, please call 0115 928 2166, email [email protected], or visit www.acornaluminium.com.