Context Design Group

Pre Design Services

• Site search and selection.
• Pre-purchase inspection and advice.
• Site inspection to identify constraints and opportunities.
• Commissioning of the design consultant team as required for the project.
• Preliminary assessment of authority regulations, planning controls and statutory building requirements.
• Assessment of client/user needs analysis.
• Complete sketch design and feasibility assessment of development options for highest and best use rental/sales yields and resale.
• Real-estate research for market comparables, estimated sales programs and market demographics.
• Design option analysis for new build, renovation and/or incorporation of existing structures.
• Independent construction budget and timeframe.
• Compile and report the project brief, preliminary budget and program.

Schematic Design

• Prepare concept design drawings.
• Prepare preliminary furniture and equipment layouts.
• Co-ordinate preliminary design input from design consultants
• Obtain client approval of concept design, budget estimates and program.

Design Development

• Review and update the project brief.
• Develop the approved schematic design to all required plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules and specifications.
• Lead the project design team, co-ordinate consultant design works.
• Review of the project cost plan.
• Prepare and submit design documentation for town planning.
• Facilitate planning approval.

Contract Documentation

• Review the detailed design against the planning approval and conditions.
• Update the project brief, budget and program.
• Refine the design and incorporate further client and planning requirements.
• Prepare dimensioned plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules and specifications including relevant preliminaries.
• Coordinate the designs and documentation of the design consultants.
• Review, advise and confirm the construction contract to be used.
• Prepare the tender documentation.
• Report on pre-tender estimates and program.

Contract Administration

• Assist in the selection of tenderers.
• Compile tender documentation.
• Invite tenders on clients' behalf.
• Respond to queries during the tender period
• Issue tender addenda as required.
• Close tenders and report.
• Negotiate with tenderers as required.
• Prepare and report on tender recommendations.
• Prepare contract documentation for signing.
• Superintendence of the contract works.
• Arrange and attend site meetings to check on the progress of the works against the contract documentation. and provide supplementary advise where required.
• Prepare and issue meeting minutes.
• Review of shop drawings.
• Assess and provide recommendations on progress claims and variation submissions.
• Compile and advise on defects both at the Certificate of Occupancy and defects liability stage.
• Provide certification for relevant contract claims.
• Post construction services including final certification, the release of retention, warranties and post occupancy evaluation.

With more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry in the successful delivery of projects with critical design demands of time, quality, cost and risk, bringing leadership, focus and certainty to the full spectrum of professional architectural services and providing innovative solutions that meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our clients.

From writing the project brief, through all project phases to project handover we provide personal, professional service focused on our clients and the delivery of solutions that address a diverse range of project requirements.

Major project sectors include Residential, Multi-residential and Commercial/Retail development.

Highly skilled in stakeholder communications, feasibility reporting, project & consultant enabling, spatial planning, value management, town planning, design coordination and project delivery. Always providing great value for money solutions in design and project procurement.

Projects are carefully and individually considered in relation to site conditions and neighbourhood context, solar orientation, functional planning, materials selection, services design, interiors and proximetrics and environmentally sustainable design (ESD). Professional feedback and reporting are provided at all stages of the project lifecycle, including design, budget, timeline, consultant commissioning, contact administration, post occupancy evaluation and risk management.

Project management is an extremely important service that Context Design Group is able to offer our clients. Through our extensive knowledge in many specialised fields, we can offer our clients the best outcome.

The Benefits

• Preparing a business case to justify the investment;
• Context clarify and resolve any questions contractors, consultants have, on behalf of their clients
• Ensure that works are carried out to the desired outcome before any payments are authorised
• We capture the project's requirements, specifying the quality of the deliverables, estimating resources and timescales;
• Developing and implementing a management plan for the project
• Leading and motivating the project delivery team
• Managing the risks, issues and changes on the project;
• Monitoring progress against the plan
• Managing the project budget
• Maintaining communications with stakeholders and the project organisation

Context Design Group have a long association working in a number of inner-city councils. Some of our successful outcomes for our clients within:

Areas within the City of Yarra

• Abbotsford
• Alphington
• Burnley / Richmond
• Carlton North
• Clifton Hill

Surburbs in the City of Melbourne

• Carlton
• Carlton North
• Docklands
• East Melbourne
• Flemington

Troy Gration has a long record in professional practice teaming Project Management, Design Management and Architectural expertise in full project life cycle delivery of highly resolved solutions for development and specialised building projects. These skills have been gained through more than 25 years of experience, particularly in the design and construction industry.

Since completing his degrees at Deakin, Troy has worked with a number of medium to large-scale Architectural and Construction organisations in Melbourne where he is a registered Architect with The Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV).

Troy has been responsible for the design, management and successful delivery of a variety of complex major projects to the value of $60M from inception through to handover including communications with all project stakeholders.

Troy prides himself in the successful delivery of projects with critical demands of scope, cost, time, quality, resources, communications, risk and procurement, bringing leadership, focus and certainty to the full spectrum of professional services and providing innovative solutions that meet the needs and exceed the expectations of clients. He provides personal, professional service focused on clients and value solutions for their diverse project requirements.

Having worked for professional design consultancies, head contractors and with sub-contractors Troy employs collaborative leadership and a team driven approach which values people’s personal skills and professional expertise in achieving successful outcomes via establishing aligned objectives and agreed defined responsibilities. These attributes have gained successful outcomes in working with all stakeholders including proprietors, user groups, design consultants, estimators, project bid marketers and management.

Professional Qualifications:

› Bachelor of Architecture, Deakin University