Our Design Philosophy

Form & Function

Experience has taught us that projects which force an exterior shape are, for compliance reasons encountered later, more likely to be pulled into budget creep, value engineering, scope changes, unintended phasing, and even contractual fragmentation. These scenarios unfortunately lock a client in to the one thing you want to avoid: a financial haemorrhage to complete.

At Village Gate, we believe in entropy: By starting a project with a high degree of flux, the design-changes should become less and less disruptive as the project tends towards completion. We begin with a clear understanding of why you need; and overlay this with a very technical look at the existing context. We then explore various cost-estimated concepts that suit your occupational operations. Once you have selected which approach to take, we identify the applicable regulations of each trade-based subcontractor and design these systems, together with other consultants, in a way that is in sympathy with the most affordable, compliant, construction methods. Throughout the process, our clients have regular opportunities to customise changes. The exterior shape of our buildings is not pre-shaped by ego, but evolve from how the insides respond to environmental factors. Simply put, we believe that form and function are organically and inextricably symbiotic.

Money

A viable budget is critical for successful completion. All our designs come with a statistical financial value, so you know what reasonable costs to anticipate. We give you regular opportunities to amend the design so that it suits your budget. We always look for ways to reduce material costs, labour rates and contractor’s profit margins. Our clients like to receive a property value that has increased by more than the amount spent on the improvements.

Time

We are quick to explore insightful concepts and meticulous in writing out construction specifications. One secret to completing a project on time comes from proper preparations supported by comprehensive contracts. For the five years after completion, we aim to give you zero maintenance and all latent defects repaired for free.

Quality

Nothing improves the quality of workmanship more than site inspections. As administrators of your Building Agreement, we exercise the duty to instruct the contractor, determine the standard of quality, demand defects to be fixed, determine how much the contractor should be paid and certify the completion.

Our approach to white-collar conflicts...

Clients, consultants and contractors should voice their concerns before things escalate into a dispute. Matters are usually resolved by comparing the evidence against the obligations. This is why we take such meticulous steps to ensure comprehensive terms are tabled during tender; and why diligent records are kept during construction.

...and to blue-collar workmanship

Tradesmen know the effort it takes to bring something massive into existence. If the materials are fit for purpose and the labour is according to the manufacturer's instructions we owe them the respect, space and time it takes to get things done properly.