9 Steps to an Eco Vida Building

Step 1 – Check Out The Website

Have a good look around our website. Ask yourself “do these people have the kind of product and service I am looking for?” and “are they the kind of people I would like to do business with?”

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Remember our Architecture responds to people and it responds to places so you will receive a design which is unique to you and to the site you have acquired or are acquiring.

Step 2 – Talk to John Wolfendale

Step 2 is a conversation between you and John Wolfendale during which he will assess whether or not there is a fit between you and Eco Vida. Bear in mind that we receive a large number of enquiries and we are busy people so please come to this interview prepared to tell John who you are, and the top 3 things you are looking for from your building. He will also be asking you how you intend to finance your project.

If you don’t have a site and you would like us to help you find one we can. We are very well connected in the property world particularly in Andalucia and we can help you.

Step 3 – An Initial Meeting

Assuming we would both like to move to Step 3 Luis and John will spend about 1 to 2 hours with you and on your project. This time is ideally spent in a face to face meeting but could be by video conference call.

Before this meeting we will ask you to fill in a questionnaire and send us plans of your site or the site you are acquiring.

During the meeting we will ask you about your lifestyle how you use your current home and what your expectations are of the home you want to build.

We will discuss with you initial thoughts on design, layout, orientation, energy balance, your budget and costs. We will also run through with you some images of what we can do architecturally and examples of what we have done, some of which you will already have seen on the website.

It is important that during this meeting you identify with our architectural principles, feel confident in our capacity to create the best possible building on your site, and that you are keen to work with us in the design process.

Step 4 – Site Inspections and Initial Discussion with the Planning Authority

Assuming we would all like to move to Step 4 this is a site inspection by Luis Llopis and John Wolfendale. We charge €500 plus travel expenses. You will receive a written report from us and we will firm up, or if necessary reconfigure, the ideas we have discussed so far.

Through the database of the Colegio de Arquitectos (Chartered Architects Association) we will checkout urban regulations corresponding to the site to make sure the use and construction parameters of the land are correct.

We will also schedule a first contact with the local urban development office to ask for an initial report on the site, and confirm the bureaucratic and legal process to follow in the municipality.

You will also need a topographical survey and this is a good moment to do this. We will quote separately for this at the time.

Step 5 – Architectural Design- Initial Draft

Step 5 is the preparation of an initial architectural design. This will include detailed consultations with you to ensure that we are totally in tune with your vision for the site and we are producing the best posible structure within the physical and budgetary constraints.

There will be a charge payable in advance which will depend on the size of your project. Typically for a 200 square metre villa the charge would be €3500 payable in advance to initiate Step 5 which comprises:

• The overall concept taking into account the situation and including the orientation; a distribution master plan; and sections taking into account the topography of the site, solar and wind influences. This will be illustrated with plans and graphics.
• The basic eco concept, including the shading and protection features; energy supply strategy including alternative energy sources. We will establish which degree of ecological measures and “passiv haus” concepts should be applied to the design. Also, we will study the prospects of the site development and landscape gardening possibilities.
• A fixed price contract for the complete erection of the building, according to your needs and previous selection of materials and energy systems. This price will include the preparation of the site, foundations, and landscaping. The terms of the contract will be made available to you in advance of the presentation.

This draft project will be presented personally to you at our office, and working as a team will discuss adjustments or improvements in order to arrive at the best possible solution for you and your site. The conclusions will be noted and used to during the next phase of the design.

The comprehensive fixed price contract will be presented at this meeting (although you will have been sent a draft previously in order to prepare) with a schedule of payments attached. We will run through the contract with you making a note of your observations and either at the meeting or shortly afterwards the contract will be signed in duplicate.

Step 6 – Architectural Complete Design

Step 6 is a complete architectural design. As established by the contract there is a charge payable in advance which will vary according to the size of your project. Taking into account the comments and suggestions discussed at the last meeting we produce a full architectural design.

We present you with this document, which we call the Basic Project, during a meeting at our office, to arrive at your total approval of the project.

If you need to raise a mortgage you will use this document to present to your bank.

Step 6 comprises:

• A geotechnical survey from a specialist company which will give us the technical and legal information we need to design the foundations for your construction.
• Full set of architectural plans, including Construction, Structure, Mechanical Systems, Security Study setup and Landscaping (if necessary)
• Structural dimensioning and calculation
• Design and calculation of the mechanical equipment
• Texts and documents to justify compliance with local, autonomic or federal standards and regulations, as well as technical descriptions and calculation reports
• General Security & Health Study (as required by National regulations)
• Waste Management Report (as required by National regulations)

This document, called the Working Document is used to apply for the Construction License.

First of all the Project will be approved by the Colegio de Arquitectos (Architects Association).

Then it will be submitted to the Urban Development Office of the corresponding town hall.

Step 7 – Planning Consent

We handle all aspects of the planning consent.

Each town council determines the taxes applicable to new constructions. Generally you can expect to pay between 3.5 % and 6 % of the construction value at this stage when the Building Permit is issued. These will have to be paid before the license is granted. Some authorities apply fees in the form of deposits which are returned on completion of the project.

If you are using a construction mortgage your bank will need to see the Licencia de Obras (Building Permit) before final approval.

Step 8 – The Construction Period

Step 8 is initiated when the Building Permit is issued by the town hall.

During this Step we construct your home. It’s quick and should take less than 6 months.

Further payments are made against architect’s certificates. Making monthly payments against work done to date is a common way of organizing this. Alternatively the project may be set out in stages which are specified in the contract. In either case they are laid out in the contract.

Step 9 – Checking and Licenses

Before handing the keys and before you make the final payment there is a checking process during which we make sure all licenses are issued and everything works.

More precisely, we will make sure that the building complies with the protocols determined by the L.O.E. (Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación, National regulation for dwelling developments, public or private).

We will then issue the CFO (Certificado Final de Obra), the official document signed by the Architect and the Quantity Surveyor, and validated by the Professional Associations, and then submitted to the municipality.

The local Government will check out the documents, and if everything is correct the officials will pay a visit to the site, as a result of which they will issue the Licencia de PrimeraOcupación, or First Occupation License, from which point the building may be used.

Your dream has now become a reality.