Smartech Design

MEET SARAH:

Sarah began her career as an apprentice at the age of 18 at a small Leicester based company. She went on to study part-time at De Montfort University, graduating in 2006 with a first-class honour’s degree in Architectural Design Technology & Production (ADTP) and receiving the award for the highest graduating student.

In 2013, Sarah became a Chartered member (MCIAT) of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT). She gets involved with her Institute and has historically supported CIAT in being a Professional Practice member on the CIAT University Accreditation Panel. Sarah is also an approved Chartered member interview assessor and application supervisor for CIAT.

Supporting students in developing a career in architecture is also a passion of Sarahs. So much so that Sarah also works as a part-time lecturer at De Montfort University. She teaches Design Research on the MSc Architecture and Sustainability course and Building Technology 1 and Integrated Projects on the BSc Architectural Technology course.

Sarah has worked at a number of practices over her career where she gained a wealth of knowledge and experience across multiple sectors including residential, industrial, commercial, sport and recreation, mixed use, conversions, listed buildings, and education.

In her spare time, Sarah loves having fun with her son, they both have a keen passion for the outdoors and being active. Sarah is a lifelong hockey player and loves to keep fit and healthy. Sarah also loves anything related to astronomy, going to the theatre, watching action / adventure movies and spending time with her friends and family.

Our Process:

Any building project, regardless of size, can be a daunting task. We’re here to support and guide you through your project, to achieve your dreams and aspirations.

We have a wealth of experience and knowledge through all stages of a project, this can be applied to full or part architectural services, which are tailored to suit your specific needs.

RIBA Stage 0-1:
Initial Consultation & Client Brief

We offer a free no obligation initial consultation with you to discuss the brief, construction budget and your ambitions for the project. This can be carried out on site, remotely or at an alternative location. We will then provide you with a fee quotation for a complete or part architectural service, which is tailored to your needs.

RIBA Stage 2:
Concept Design

Once the brief is defined, more often than not, a survey will be required together with a thorough site visit to respect the project context and constraints. Additional consultants may be required, depending upon the complexity of the project. This collective information is then used to produce a concept design / s for discussion with the client which carefully considers the client requirements and project budget.

RIBA Stage 3:
Developed Design & Planning

After the concept design is agreed with the client, it is then developed further to the planning stage and a planning application is submitted. We work closely with the client and external consultants to ensure that the transition through the planning process is as smooth as possible. Any planning queries or application conditions are managed and dealt with.

RIBA Stage 4:
Technical Design & Building Regulations

Once planning approval is received and any planning conditions are discharged, we progress the technical detailed design of the building and systems. We work with the client, consultants, and contractors to specify materials, construction methods and systems. The mechanical, electrical & structural designs are refined. The architectural drawings are developed, and a specification put together. We engage with energy consultants to assist with sustainable design of the building and systems employed. This is all in preparation for the building regulation submission and commencement of construction on site.

RIBA Stage 5:
Construction

Following receipt of the building regulations full plans approval, the technical design is then developed further to construction. The choice of contract and procurement route are defined, tender and specification documentation produced with a full bill of quantities. We will actively communicate and co-ordinate the technical design with the contractors on site and specialist consultants, responding quickly to site queries raised. Site visits and inspections may be undertaken throughout the project build.

RIBA Stage 6:
Project Completion, Handover & Use

Once the project is complete, we will finalise the contract and handover the project. All the required documentation is collected for handover and the defects liability period monitored until practical completion is achieved. Any defects raised are managed and rectified. We will help to ensure the building is used, operated, and maintained efficiently.

RESIDENTIAL

When it comes to the place you live and spend valuable time with friends and family, we believe in function before form.

All homes should be functional for their purpose and individually unique to suit the way in which you live. The rest will simply fall into place. This belief is key in achieving sustainable buildings, future proof designs and achieving all aspects of human comfort. Enjoyment of the space you’re in sits hand in hand with creating a happy and healthy home.

We have experience within numerous areas of residential architecture. This ranges from smaller extensions, conversions and internal alterations, through to larger schemes for private clients and developers. The service we offer can be tailored to your individual requirements whether that be a full service or specific RIBA stages only.

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL

We spend a lot of time at the places we work and in and around buildings we utilise for recreational purposes.

These buildings should be happy and healthy places to spend time, engaging for the local community and multi diverse. The spaces should achieve all aspects of human comfort, functionality and sustainability whilst remaining economical for the client, short term and long term.

We have experience within numerous areas of commercial and industrial architecture. This ranges from small industrial units through to sporting facilities. The service we offer can be tailored to your individual requirements and to suit the current and growing needs of your business.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

We are immensely proud of all our client relationships. Many thanks to all of you for highly rating Smartech’s Services.

Mr. & Mrs. Dayman

October 2023

“Sarah at SMARTECH Design has been amazing in guiding us through the process of wanting to have a loft conversion at our property. From our first contact Sarah has been very responsive and able to explain what we needed to do. She is extremely professional and was able to explain all our options right through to our planning application being submitted. She is extremely thorough, and the drawings are exactly what we discussed, and she completed them in a very timely manner. We are extremely pleased with the work Sarah has done for us and would highly recommend her to anyone needing an architectural technologist.”

Mrs Askari & Mrs Edwards

June 2023

“We approached Sarah at SMARTECH Design to help us maximise our internal and external space and to support us through the planning process, and we cannot recommend her highly enough. She provided us with a number of options and communicated effectively with us to narrow it down to 1 design that met all our needs and maximised the space we had available. She also gave us clarity on the district's planning requirements and how best to ensure we met those whilst working with our needs. Sarah's attention to detail and dedication to meeting our brief, and providing answers to our many questions, resulted in a design that exceeded our expectations. It was a pleasure working with her and we will be recommending her to anyone who needs architectural services.”

Mr Armstrong, Rothley

September 2022

“Having decided to push the button on my house extension, I’m really pleased and happy to have started this journey with SMARTECH Design. They have provided me with an extremely professional, detailed, and friendly service, undertaking the surveying, design drawings and planning application submission. I would not hesitate to recommend SMARTECH Design for your architectural needs. Keep up the good work!”

Mr & Mrs Stuart

May 2023

“Sarah at SMARTECH Design has provided us with an excellent planning service. Sarah is efficient at getting all of the correct surveys organised and produced us plans that are respectful of our specific needs and are both innovative and practical. We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending her to anyone wanting planning advice or more detailed plans drawn up.”

J D & H Properties Limited

August 2022

“Sarah was recommended to help with a house refurbishment/extension and associated new build project. Her sound design ideas and practical approach are coming to life as the renovation nears completion. Planning permission for the new build was assisted by a sympathetic design whilst understanding my brief and making solid recommendations where appropriate. Very good communication and accessibility keep things moving along…Excellent!”

Leicester City Hockey Club

November 2023

“We would be happy to recommend SMARTECH Design for any design or building project, domestic or otherwise. Sarah has an excellent knowledge base and can explain all the various aspects of these projects including the lifecycle of the project to the uninitiated. As a customer, this helps to prepare you for what is involved and needed to make the project work and allows you to make good, informed decisions when you have experts in the field advising you. For our hockey pitch project, I was particularly impressed by how Sarah could work alongside the pitch designers and contractors to make sure the communication was excellent throughout the project. Her knowledge is extensive and the design she has produced for the next stages of our project, has really brought it to life and shown us what is possible. We are really looking forward to working with SMARTECH Design as we move towards these next stages.”

CIAT CHARTERED ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE

SMART Architecture, Technology + Design

Sarah Mickowski BSc (Hons) MCIAT

Chartered Architectural Technologist