THE ALALONG PROCESS
The process outlined below, includes stages and principles that are universally applicable to architectural and interior design projects, irrespective of their scale or type. The presented stages may be entirely or partially relevant, contingent upon the unique circumstances of each project.
*the technical documentation phases apply to projects authorized and built in Romania
The Alalong design process is based on BIM design (Building Information Modeling). This way, we ensure an integrated approach between all "actors" involved in the process (architect, structural engineers, installation engineers, builder, etc.) from an early stage of the project. From the beginning of the design process, we simultaneously approach both the general conformation of the house and the configuration of the characteristic details, using: models, 3D modelling, 2D drawings, technical details, renderings, etc. The benefits of BIM design:
In our ongoing quest to streamline design time and costs, as well as project execution costs, we have introduced virtual tours through VR headsets, right from the concept stage. This way, you will be able to have, very early in the process, an extremely realistic view of how your home will look. You will be able to experience the connections between spaces, their passage and amplitude, the light at different times of the day, the materiality, the passing of the seasons, etc. We will go beyond viewing projects only through blueprints, 3D models and renderings, as is the case in most situations. Thus, you will be able to know, with certainty, that the project you approved is definitely the one you dreamed of. The benefits of working in VR are numerous and consistent:
Any successful architectural project has a series of adventures behind it - like a good novel. And if we were to briefly tell you how the story of your project would go, we would start like this:
We start by getting to know you and your site.
Together we design the way your home will look and feel. This is the "chapter" that will set the tone for the entire project.
In the Alalong design process, the concept stage goes beyond simply drawing floor plans or presenting beautiful interior renderings. Together, we will make the most important decisions for the future of your project: conforming spaces, structure and materiality, types of installations and technologies, and simultaneously we will begin to outline the bill of quantities and a preliminary budget.
We know, it seems like a lot of decisions to make right from the start, but our goal is to provide a solid foundation for the project, which will save you time and money in the later stages of detailing. A concept made without taking the preliminary integration of the necessary third-party specialists or of minimal technical detailing into account, may even lead to total redesign in later stages.
And because we think this chapter is crucial, we'll make sure you have all the tools necesary to make the right decisions for your needs:
In this stage we "attack" the project on two fronts. We begin drafting the Technical Project (PT) and at the same time we prepare the documentatin for obtaining the Building Permit (DTAC). We consolidate the foundation that was laid in the previous stage, so that your project is ready for the long-awaited moment - the start of the construction site!
A truly Alalong vision will always aim for the most Earth-friendly design solutions possible. From 2021, according to law 372/2005, any new construction must be built according to NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings) standards, so it must have "nearly zero" energy consumption. This is an intermediate step in a broad strategy at European level, which involves the reduction of total CO2 emissions up to 95% by the year 2050 and the implementation of the ZEB (Zero Energy Buildings/passive building) standard for both newly constructed buildings and the existing buildings. What does an NZEB house mean? It refers to a house that meets superior energy efficiency standards, reaching total energy consumption of a maximum of 111 kwh/m2*, which must be covered by energy from renewable sources in a percentage of at least 30%. Concretely, this is achieved by applying some essential principles, as early as the design stage:
The NZEB standard is closest to the passive house standard (ZEB - zero energy building) and is based on the same building compliance principles, but has different ways of calculating the total primary energy and reference values of different consumptions.
Consequently, in the design process we will take care of the energy compliance of the building from the early stages, together with the experts in the field, starting from the technical details and testing configurations in specialized calculation software.
*the maximum allowed values of the total annual primary energy consumption will vary depending on the destination of the building and the climate zone in which the building will be located; the value of the total primary energy consumption of 111 kwh/m2 is calculated for an individual home located in climatic zone II of Romania
General drawings
sc. 1:500/1:200/1:100/1:50
We further detail the drawings drafted in the concept phase, finalizing the general guidelines of the project, in coordination with all parties involved: architecture, structural engineering, installation engineering (electrical, thermal, sanitary) etc.. This set of drawings will contain all necessary information for bidding, for the beginning of the construction site and the execution of the major elements of the project: dimensions, positioning and level dimensions, positioning dimensions and indications for voids, general data for each space, indications for elements and systems of constructive elements, indications for internal and external stairs, elevators, access ways and circulation, compliance with fire safety regulations, indications for thermal, electrical, sanitary installations, general indications for finishes, furniture, bathrooms and sanitary groups, kitchens, internal and external framing, tinsmithing, interior and exterior railings, facades.
Detailing drawings
sc. 1:25/1:20/1:10/1:5
This set of plans is complementary to the set of general drawings, and makes the transition from the major scale of the project to the minor scale, for the execution of the detail elements and the bidding (as applicable). These drawings contain the characteristic details of the building, in horizontal and vertical sections or elevations, for: installations, bathrooms, kitchens, execution, interior and exterior stairs, interior and exterior framing, tinsmithing, interior and exterior raillings, facades. The annotations refer to: dimensions, technical data, types of finishes and particularities of execution, reference data within the project, etc.
It is an extract from PT (technical project) + a number of other necessary documents:
Project for obtaining the building permit - D.T.A.C (CD)
(2 original copies):
A1. architecture report
A2. verification report + credentials
A3. drawings
B1. technical expertise
B2. structural engineering report
B3. verification report + credentials
B4. drawings
C1. electrical installations report
C2. referat de verificare + legitimație
C3. drawings
D1. thermal installations report
D2. verification report + credentials
D3. drawings
E1. sanitary installations report
E2. verification report + credentials
E3. drawings
The authorization file has been submitted. After a long wait, we finally have the building permit! Now we can get down to business! Even though our mission is almost over, we still want to be there for you! Therefore, in this stage, we will help you with:
Even the longest stories eventually come to an end. But we like "open" endings. So, don't be surprised if, after you and your home will experience the first rains, the first frozen winters, the first hot summers together, you wake up with a message from us checking in on how things are going for you. If we've survived through so many adventures together and still remained friends, we will surely keep an alalong connection!
If we draw the line, we will see that in the design process we have a long list of characters involved...similar to the credits list at the end of a movie. And whether we're talking about the lead actors or the directors and cameramen, each of them plays an essential role in making the final product. The same is true when it comes to design. A list of the characters involved in the design process, from concept to execution, would look something like this:
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PROLOGUE
Client
Architect
City Hall + other Institutions
Surveyor engineer*
Geotechnical Engineer*
Neighbours
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CONCEPT
Client
Architect
Structural engineer
Installation Engineers
(sanitary, thermal, electrical)
Energy auditor
Suppliers
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PT (DD)+ DTAC (CD)
Client
Architect
Architecture verifier
Structural engineer
Structural engineering verifier
Installation Engineers
(sanitary, thermal, electrical)
Installation verifiers (sanitary, thermal, electrical)
Energy auditor
OAR
City Hall + other Institutions
Suppliers
CONSTRUCTION
Client
Architect
Project manager*
Site master*
General contractor
Construction team
City Hall + other Institutions
Suppliers
Neighbours
Because we want to encourage you to start your project, we're going to take it step by step. Therefore, all of the above stages can be contracted separately, as individual stages. We can go through the PROLOGUE of your project together, over a coffee, either at our office, or remotely, via video call. This way, we offer you the flexibility to get through your project at your own pace and change your mind at any time about the project or even about working with us.
you can leave us a message below and we will contact you!
CONTACT
