Envisioning
+
Planning
=
Living
SERVICES
Pre-design Planning:
Needs and Options Review
Before any actual design commences, we first address information gathered from our questionnaire against required BC Building Code + governing Bylaws relating to your property and the proposed residence envisioned.
Then provide feedback you need to consider next steps.
Building Design Process:
Concept to Construction
Once we have completed our pre - design research, we can then move ahead into identifying the interior spaces required, and their relationship to each other. Basic exterior forms are considered as well.
Once the conceptual design phase is complete and signed off, the detail design + permit phases begin.
Construction Documents:
Finished Design Plan Set
The 'heavy lifting' takes place in these final phases of designing your new home. A full drawing package is completed which is suitable for general contractor pricing, building permit submission and construction.
At this stage, our work is typically complete and you then work with your builder to finalize all finishing touches.
ABOUT US
DATUM POINT STUDIOS INC. is an Award Winning building design studio, specializing in the Planning + Design of Fine Custom Residences and Quality Market-Ready Production Homes.
Founded in 2015 DATUM POINT STUDIOS is a Nanaimo, BC based ASTTBC licensed, insured and registered studio practice that has since grown into an extended firm of 6 talented design professionals who believe in creating satisfied client-driven projects.
Our goal is to provide design solutions through insightful collaboration. To not only strive to find the balance between comfort, practicality and beauty, but to ultimately create spaces in which to live and work, that enhance people's lives!
START HERE
CONGRATULATIONS!!
You have started your search to learn how ENVISIONING + PLANNING = LIVING in your new home. Exciting times to be sure!
This is all great... But now what?
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How do I get the emotions and expectations I have of this new home, organized into an understandable written framework.
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How can I then communicate these feelings to all the talented professionals who will make this really happen.
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How to correctly understand what the whole design process is, what's actually possible vs. how I envision it.
If you are unfamiliar to this whole process, we have prepared a few white papers in PDF format which will provide some general insight into the various aspects one should be thinking about, and prior to hiring anyone. If you are interested in receiving these, please get in touch through our contact information, and we'll send you the no obligation access code.
These white papers are free to download. Information to review at your leisure, which may prompt you to ask additional, informed questions of yourself, and in turn the other parties who you will ultimately hire and entrust to seeing your envisioned plan, become your new home reality!
DATUM POINT STUDIOS is a proud member of the following organizations and associations:
FAQ
Help + Advice
WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DOES DATUM POINT STUDIOS DESIGNERS HAVE?
The principal of the studio, Austin Werner CTech, RBD is registered and in good standing with the following association:
ASTTBC (Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC)
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Designation title 'CTech' (Certified Technician - Building Architecture)
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Designation title "RBD" (Registered Building Designer - Technical Specialist)
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Vice-Chair, Executive Board Member - ASTTBC Building Designers (BD).
WHAT AREAS DOES DATUM POINT STUDIOS WORK IN?
As per our registration and certifications, our permitted range in providing professional building design services falls within the BC Building Code (current edition): Division B, Part 9 - Housing and Small Buildings.
Division A - Part 1, Article 1.3.3.3. Application of Part 9:
Part 9 of Division B applies to all buildings described in Article 1.1.1.1. of 3-storey or less in building height, having a building area not exceeding 600m² [6458.3 sf], and used for major occupancies classified as:
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Group C - residential occupancies (single family detached dwelling, up to four (4) multi-family dwelling units.
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Group D - business and personal services occupancies (commercial), not exceeding 470m² [5059.0 sf].
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Group E - mercantile occupancies (commercial), not exceeding 470m² [5059.0 sf], or
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Group F - Division 2 and 3, medium and low-hazard occupancies (industrial), not exceeding 470m² [5059.0 sf].
WHEN YOU NEED AN ARCHITECT, AND NOT?
Short answer, any building design which falls outside the descriptions above typically require the services of a registered Architect.
Certified and Registered Building Designers who have the required education, training and experience would be able to undertake most residential, small commercial and small industrial project opportunities, provided they carry the appropriate certification, and insurance cover. Fee considerations are typically less than what an Architect might charge for the same level of required work.
Through ASTTBC, there are two (2) technical specialist designations which have their own limits to practice.
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CRD (Certified Residential Designer) - Permitted to undertake limited scope projects of single family detached and duplex multi-family dwelling units within BC Building Code: Division B, Part 9 - Housing and Small Buildings.
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RBD (Registered Building Designer) - Permitted to undertake full scope of building design within BC Building Code: Division B, Part 9 - Housing and Small Buildings.
It is incumbent of anyone seeking building design services to ask informed questions of individuals or companies offering such services. If you are unsure as to who may be required to provide such services to your project, you can reach out to our technical staff at your convenience for answers to any questions. We are here to help at no obligation and hopefully answer any general questions or concerns you may have.
Stu Hopewell,
COO, Regional Partner
We have had the privilege of working with Datum Point Studios for the past number of years. Austin and his team take extreme care that all the design drawings are completed to the utmost level of accuracy. Our clients have been very happy with the finished drawings and this past year one of our custom residences designed for us has been nominated for the Best House Award for the Canadian Home Builders Association - Vancouver Island (VIBE Awards) This nomination reflects the high level of work you can expect from Datum Point Studios.
Lisa Birnie,
Home Owner
Datum Point Studios designed our new home in Nanaimo, BC and complete with the ocean views, it turned out beautifully. Austin was a pleasure to work with, highly professional throughout the design process. We met at the site first, to discuss our "vision", then communicated long distance via emails and phone calls, ultimately ensuring that the final design was exactly what we wanted. Our mountain-side lot presented challenges with respect to floor plans, but Austin worked through these challenges to enable quality construction (by Alair Homes - Nanaimo) of a fabulous, one-of-a-kind home that we well enjoy for years to come!
Al Herle, P. Eng
President - AHLT Holdings
We engaged Datum Point Studios to design (2) detached duplex units for our land development project in Nanaimo BC, and Austin was very creative and responsive to our needs. The resulting designs helped us show off the property to its best advantage and get a good price for it... Austin also designed a detached garage/workshop for my personal residence - which might not sound like the most exciting project, but he did a great job interpreting my specific needs for the building while also making the workshop building attractive and compatible with our 1908 heritage home.
Nick Farrington
Home Owner
Austin and his team at Datum Point Studios have been incredible to work with. They took a very difficult building lot and designed our dream house. We couldn't be happier with their service.
Dan Sartori
President
Austin has designed a wonderful and striking home for our mutual client. From curb appeal to functionality, we are most pleased with how it is all coming together!
THE FOOTHILLS
L A N T Z V I L L E, B C
THE FOOTHILLS IS AN 1,838 ACRE, MASTER-PLANNED NEIGHBOURHOOD, CURRENTLY ZONED FOR 731 HOMES, A MIXED-USE VILLAGE AREA, AND A 730 ACRE PARK.
PHASE TWO
NOW SELLING STUNNING VIEW HOMES SITES!
TO INQUIRE:
D A T U M P O I N T S T U D I O S
DEVELOPER AUTHORIZED
'PREFERRED DESIGNER'
FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS COMMUNITY
