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DESIGN
RIBA Stage 1 – Preparation and Brief
Stage 1 is the very first stage of the RIBA Plan of Work, where the project’s foundations are set. It focuses on understanding the client’s needs, site conditions, and project objectives before any design begins.
For the client, this stage involves:
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Defining the project brief – what you want the building to achieve, your priorities, and your budget.
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Site analysis – understanding the site’s opportunities, constraints, and context.
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Feasibility studies – exploring what’s possible within planning, regulations, and budget.
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Initial project strategy – agreeing on timelines, procurement methods, and key consultants.
In short, Stage 1 ensures the project starts with a clear plan and realistic goals, so subsequent design stages can proceed efficiently and effectively.
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Stage 2 follows the initial Preparation and Brief (Stage 1). It is where your ideas start to take physical form and the project begins to be visualised.
For the client, this stage involves:
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Developing initial design proposals – layouts, spatial arrangements, and general form of the building.
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Sketches, drawings, and visualisations – so you can see how your project could look and feel.
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Collaboration with consultants – structural and services engineers provide input to ensure the design is practical and feasible.
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Client feedback integration – your comments are incorporated, shaping the evolving design.
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Planning considerations – any necessary amendments to planning applications can be prepared and submitted.
In short, Stage 2 turns the project brief into a tangible concept, allowing clients to make informed decisions before moving to detailed design.
RIBA Stage 2 – Concept Design
