DESIGN PROCESS.
STAGED PROJECTS &
OUR PROCESS.
Preliminary Design DA & BA Working Drawings.
At Formarda, we guide you through every stage of the building design process, from the first concept sketch through to detailed construction drawings. Whether you're planning a new home, renovation, extension, commercial fit-out, or hospitality project, our structured design process ensures your project is thoughtfully designed, compliant, and ready for approval and construction.
OUR PROCESS & VALUES.
Every successful project starts with a clear plan. At Formarda, our structured building design process takes your project from the first concept through to construction-ready drawings. Whether you're planning a new home, renovation, extension, or commercial project, we guide you through each stage to ensure your design reflects your vision, meets your budget, and complies with local council requirements, the National Construction Code (NCC), and Australian Standards.
Our staged approach helps you make informed decisions before investing in detailed documentation. By resolving the design early, you can obtain preliminary builder pricing, reduce the risk of costly changes, avoid approval delays, and keep your project on track.
As experienced Building Designers in Brisbane, we create practical, well-designed spaces that are ready for approval, ready to build, and designed to last.
01
Design Consulttation &
Design Brief
02
Preliminary Design
03
Development Approval
04
Builidng Approval
05
Building Certifcates
06
Project Hand Over
CONTACT.
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2. PRELIMINARY DESGN STAGE.
Every successful project begins with a well-considered design.
Following our initial consultation and design brief, we prepare a set of preliminary design drawings that transform your ideas into a functional architectural concept. During this stage, we explore layouts, room relationships, building form, orientation, natural light, and site opportunities while incorporating our professional design advice.
These concept drawings allow you to visualise your project before committing to detailed documentation. They are also ideal for obtaining preliminary pricing from builders, allowing you to establish a realistic construction budget before progressing to the approval stages.
Our Preliminary Design package may include:
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Floor plans
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Elevations
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Site plan
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Concept layouts
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Design revisions
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Preliminary square metre calculations
This stage provides the foundation for all future approvals and construction documentation.
3. DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL STAGE (DA APPROVAL).
If your project requires planning approval from your local council, we prepare a comprehensive Development Approval (DA) drawing package.
Our DA documentation is specifically prepared to satisfy council and town planning requirements, helping streamline the assessment process and minimise unnecessary delays.
Depending on your project and local planning scheme, the drawings may include:
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Site plans
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Floor plans
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Building elevations
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Setbacks and boundary information
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Site constraints
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Building height and site coverage calculations
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Streetscape information
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Planning overlays
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Relevant National Construction Code (NCC) requirements
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Applicable Australian Standards
We work closely with town planners, consultants, and local authorities to ensure your proposal meets planning requirements before progressing to Building Approval.
4. BUILDING APPROVAL STAGE (BA APPROVAL).
Once your Preliminary Design has been finalised and your Development Approval has been obtained (where required), we prepare your Building Approval (BA) documentation.
This is the most detailed stage of the design process. Your concept is developed into a complete set of construction-ready working drawings that your builder, building certifier, and consultants will use throughout construction.
Our Building Approval drawings typically include:
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Detailed floor plans
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Elevations and building sections
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Construction details
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Window and door schedules
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Roof plans
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Building notes and specifications
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Square metre calculations
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NCC compliance documentation
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Coordination with engineering and consultant information where required
These fully resolved working drawings form the basis of your Building Approval application and provide the level of detail required for accurate builder pricing and construction on site.
At Formarda, we believe quality documentation leads to smoother approvals, fewer construction issues, and a better-built outcome.
THE TEAM
1. DESIGN CONSULTATION & DESIGN BRIEF CREATION.
Formardå is a Brisbane-based building design studio specialising in residential, commercial and hospitality design across Southeast Queensland. With over 16 years of industry experience, we provide innovative building design and drafting solutions tailored to each client, site and project vision.
Led by a QBCC licensed Building Designer, Formardå works across renovations, extensions, new homes, commercial fit-outs and large-scale developments, delivering functional, contemporary and visually refined spaces.
We pride ourselves on a collaborative approach, attention to detail and seamless project management from concept design through to documentation and approvals, ensuring every project is both practical and thoughtfully designed.