Interview: NFA Architects

Interview with Nick Farnell from NFA Architects

Tell us a little of the background of NFA Architects? NFA Design Studio provides a bespoke design service that accommodates for small private commissions, and luxury interior fittings. Design Director Nick Farnell, injects his design philosophy of balancing the desires of the clients, and the time to deliver a project, resulting in supreme designs that surpass the initial expectations of the client. Good design is integral to our practice. We combine a love of design and ingenuity in finding solutions. We are a team of qualified architects with over 23 years of experience and have worked across many sectors spanning different building types, from high-end gyms to spas, theatre to home cinema, Crown courts to schools and hotels to homes. Nick has been a director of NFA Architects since its inception, with his and the company’s forte now lying in the design of challenging schemes, for example, works on Grade I listed buildings in some of the most prestigious locations across central London.

You have a strong track record with listed and conservation properties, what gives your firm that edge? Our edge is derived by our dedicated years of crafting designs to approval. We take great care with every scheme and thoroughly research the history of the building and its former planning applications. We guide each client through the best method for submitting for approval based on our expertise and whilst we can not guarantee approvals our success highlights our professional knowledge. On the most sensitive projects we will bring on board a dedicated heritage expert to assist with the historical significance of the project together with a concise and crafted argument for the proposed changes.

Which aspect of your job gives you the most satisfaction? Over the past 13 years we have constantly pushed ourselves to increasingly take on board a turnkey approach. As a result, we now offer full interior and furniture design as well as landscaping services. This has increased our control of projects and improved the quality of the finished article. We have been recognised for these achievements, gathering many awards and accolades. As an architect and designer the most satisfaction that can be gained is through the design and implementation of the design into the high quality finished project. However no project would be complete without the full satisfaction and joy when the client takes possession of the completed building.

What words of encouragement would you give a potential client who is hesitating to make that initial phone call? A collaborative and consultative approach is taken with our clients and is the key to our success. This is tailored to each project, so it keeps the design approach fresh. The five key themes to good design are: 1- Budget. Understanding the client’s expectation of cost is paramount to the success and implementation of any project. 2- Place. The heritage or conservation significance, where is it located? 3- Light. Natural daylight, orientation to sunlight, the volume of the space, the relationship of its plan form with the interconnections of vistas and access. 4- People. The demographic, is it for an expanding family or an elderly couple, understanding the client and their needs is key to attaining the balance of the finished project. 5- Time. Is there a timeframe for completion, does it necessitate licences, planning permission or listed building consent, etc.

We are contemporary designers and enjoy designing with new and old. Our methods are fluid enough to tailor to the client rather than impose a style or ideal on a person. We understand the importance of a dedicated team to support and develop each project. Our practice is architect-led, with a focused, design-inspired philosophy that benefits the project and ultimately the client.

Are you able to offer a project management service to clients ? As architects we do offer contract administration of all of our projects. We consider this to be the best legal way to ensure a project is realised as follows:

• Preparing the contract documents for execution • Administrating change control procedures • Seeking instructions from the client in relation to the contract • Issuing instructions such as variations, or relating to prime cost sums or making good defects • Considering claims • Charing construction progress meetings • Preparing and issuing construction progress reports • Co-ordinating and instructing site inspections • Agreeing commissioning and testing procedures • Agreeing defects reporting procedures • Ensuring that project documentation is issued to the client • Issuing certificates of practical completion and interim certificates • Collating and issuing schedules of defects • Issuing the certificate of making good defects • Issuing final certificate

NFA have been carrying out contract administrator duties on varied building projects over many years and have a long and established track record of successful schemes. We hold Professional Indemnity Insurance for all of our work through the RIBA insurance agency.

21 Ellis Street, Knightsbridge London, SW1X 9AL

Tel: 020 7692 8320

www.nfaltd.co.uk