Our process

Designing spaces that reveal the beauty of a place

For Archibald, every project is a subtle alchemy between the place, its light and its surroundings, and the wishes and aspirations of the client. It must favour the essential: clean lines, authentic materials and a particular attention to context.

Convinced that architecture should serve everyday life while lifting the spirit, the agency guides each client in creating spaces where it feels good to live, work and contemplate.

Who we work with

Institutions & businesses

For workplaces, cultural venues and hospitality projects. Expert coordination of engineering consultants, with respect for operational constraints and deadlines.

Private clients

To renovate an apartment, transform a house or imagine a holiday home in your image. A single point of contact from the first sketch to the final finishes.

Retail

For a shop, showroom, restaurant or shopfront: bespoke fit-out, window display, lighting and customer journey designed around your business, with works scheduled around your trading constraints.

The stages of a project

Stage 01 · Listening
First contact
An initial conversation — by phone, by video call or at your home — to understand your project, how you live and your relationship to space. We visit the premises, survey the existing building and together define the scope, timeline and budget.
Deliverables
- Site visit report
- Scope definition note
- Indicative preliminary budget
Stage 02 · Sketch
Sketch & preliminary design
We explore several spatial approaches and present you with contrasting scenarios. Concept plans, first atmospheres, material references: everything is put on the table to agree on a direction before going into detail.
Deliverables
- Sketch plans (2 to 3 options)
- Mood boards and references
- Initial cost estimate by item
Stage 03 · Design
Detailed design
Once the direction is agreed, we get into the detail: choice of materials, design of bespoke furniture, selection of key pieces, coordination of the engineering consultants (structure, building services, acoustics). You see the project take shape in 3D.
Deliverables
- Dimensioned plans and technical sections
- Materials file and samples
- 3D views of the main spaces
- Detailed estimate across all trades
Stage 04 · Tender
Contractor tender
We put together the tender documents, invite contractors from our network (and any you would like to include), analyse the bids line by line, negotiate, then guide you through to the signing of the works contracts.
Deliverables
- Tender documents
- Comparative bid analysis
- Signed works contracts
- Works schedule
Stage 05 · On site
Site supervision & handover
Weekly site meetings, quality control at every key stage, handling the unexpected, coordinating the trades. We orchestrate the works through to the pre-handover inspections, the clearing of snagging items and the handing over of the keys.
Deliverables
- Weekly site reports
- Schedule and budget tracking
- Handover certificate
- As-built documentation