Let’s get your project started
Are you craving some extra space?
Dreaming of the perfect outdoor entertaining area?
Are you tired of sharing one bathroom with your teenagers?
Is your kitchen needing a new lease on life?
Have you said you’d build that garage or shed?
If these sound like you or you have any other building dreams then I’m here to help.
Often, it’s difficult to know where to start. You can identify what your needs are, but you just don’t know how to take that first step. Give me a call and let’s get it happening. I know from experience having had a large family myself, there usually comes a time when things need to change. Whether it’s adding an upstairs bedroom extension, a bathroom, an extra living zone; or just an overhaul of a tired old house or kitchen. Or perhaps, you need shelter and protection for your cars and tools; or maybe a place to have friends over for a BBQ in the summer time. I can help.
So how does it work?
Initial Consultation and Measure Up
At our first meeting, we will discuss what your needs are. We will talk about the possibilities and what is realistically achievable, given the site, orientation, bushfire risk, zones & overlays, Rescode, etc and Council feedback. If you have existing documentation (ie. old house plans, copy of title, land survey), these will be useful in getting started, but no stress if you don’t, we can arrange it. A measure up (backed up with lots of photos) of existing conditions is essential with extensions and alterations. Having a rough idea of what your build budget is at this point is a good idea. From here the Design Brief is created.
Concept Design
Taking the Design Brief, I will create the initial design documentation, usually a floor plan, with a couple of different options, at this stage. Discussion can take place here to fine tune what you’re trying to achieve. You may like to mix and match a few options as well. Take your time and get it right
Preliminary Drawings
This process is the last of the design phase. Taking into account all the previous discussions, ideas and options, a final floor plan is agreed upon and you will also see all the elevations and a site plan. At this stage, if necessary, we can move ahead with getting some quotes for other external consultants, ie. Soil Test, Energy Efficiency, Engineering, BAL, Landscaping and Building Surveyor, and so forth as necessary.
Town Planning
In many cases a Town Planning Permit is required (we will know this at the initial consultation stage). Planning requirements can be quite stringent and all documentation must be thorough. You have the option here to do ‘the leg work’ yourself, or you may prefer that I manage the process of liaising with Council and act as your agent (at an extra cost to be confirmed at an hourly rate).
Working Drawings
Before this final stage is complete, feedback is required from other consultants. These may include the input from the Structural Engineer, Energy Efficiency, Soil Test, BAL / BMS report and Building Surveyor, etc, who will provide valuable information. Once Council approval is received (if required), the final stage is to produce a full set of fully dimensioned construction drawings which enables the builder to physically construct your proposed building. These drawings, together with external consultants’ drawings and reports will form the final completion of documentation.
Hi I’m Natalie Papez
I’m Warrandyte based and have been since I was 4, I work locally and in the surrounding North East suburbs, including rural areas.
I qualified with my Diploma in Building Design & Drafting in 2002 at Holmesglen College of TAFE. I first worked with an Eltham based drafting office PP Drafting, where Pauline really developed my drafting knowledge and presentation skills greatly using the popular 2D software AutoCAD.
Then, as I was focussed on my growing young family, I worked from home for myself for a couple of years. I was approached by local Architect Adie Courtney in late 2010 to come along and join her business, also Warrandyte based; I had been subcontracting to her for 3 years prior. Here, 3D modelling software Revit was the new way to go. I broadened my experience greatly, gaining skills and knowledge in all facets of Building Design.
Now, my youngest child is at high school, and I can focus on my own business working from home again.
What my clients say
“Natalie Papez provided precise design and drafting skills which assisted us to transfer our design ideas into working construction documentation. The design of our rammed earth house took into consideration the natural beauty and harmony of the surrounding environment of North Warrandyte. We utilised recycled, reclaimed timbers and sustainable features, such as black water recycling systems and double glazed windows. Natalie’s professional consulting skills facilitated for smooth council approval. I would thoroughly recommend Natalie Papez for precise building design services.”
“I engaged Natalie Papez’s drafting services between 2005-07 for extensive renovations to my house in North Warrandyte and again in 2019 for a unit re-design in Hawthorn. Throughout these projects Natalie was always courteous, professional, prompt and readily available with helpful advice and site visits; nothing was ever too much trouble for her. Ultimately Natalie’s intuitive vision for home design teamed with her invaluable working knowledge of the building industry and local planning legislation was an enormous ‘peace of mind’ for me; which resulted in smooth, succinct and exciting construction projects.”
“We needed to make our bathroom fully wheelchair accessible and Natalie was the perfect person for the task. With her years of specialised experience, the bathroom was carefully remodelled to fully comply with disability regulations. Natalie is a great listener and communicator, and was always sensitive to our needs. I would not hesitate to recommend Natalie.”