Ecotect Architects have been invovled in numerous successful master planning projects for a wide range of private sector and government clients. Our unique approach to environmental sustainability and cost effectiveness provides a balanced process in the preparation of high quality urban and suburban zones.

See examples of our past master planning projects in the commercial section of our project gallery.

The first step in successful master planning is to understand the soil conditions, geology, ecology and water issues relating to a site.  The climatic influence and the maximization of using natural forces such as cooling breezes, winter sun and existing vegetation is the first step to shaping a viable master plan.

The client's brief and budget are critical and this is the next stage of marrying a workable planning concept into the site to allow as many practical advantageous of the site to influence the shaping of the built environment.

Because of the science and engineering background of Garry Baverstock, orientation sun paths, privacy and visual impacts with neighbouring sites and the street appeal all become one when the planning process begins.

There should be a great deal of consultation at this critical stage, as a poor master plan will result in unworkable buildings.

The practice's experience in urban design and planning is extensive.  Often we collaborate with planning specialists and town planners to ensure nothing is overlooked in developing the master plan.

Professional master plans are also about setting parameters and targets for water and energy conservation as well as stipulation of goals for the built environment and how it relates to the natural world.  Often the detail of these guidelines are critical in allowing the master plan to be interpreted by others in the way intended.

• 1993 - 2000,  Master planning of cooperative housing projects for Homes West - onwards, Mandurah Retirement Village
• 2007,  China Green project for SRA, and EPRA,

• 2003,  South Beach subdivision, consultant and advisor to Mike Hulme and the Perron Group, this included production of design guidelines for houses for the Land Corp section of the subdivision.

The cost of master planning depends on the extent of work carried out by Ecotect-Architects.  Often on large projects we work as part of a consortium of consultants, comprising town planners, specialist urban planners, civil engineers, eco-landscape consultants, water conservation specialists and other architects with specialized building type experience.

Often Garry Baverstock who has had experience in land development will consult his developer colleagues for practical economic inputs into the strategy appropriate at the master planning stage.  Usually a fixed fee is calculated with a job description attached once an initial advisory service is carried out.  Refer to our standard fee scale for hourly rates and advisory fee charges.

The scale of development such as the China Green Project in Subiaco, resulted in a fee claim of approx $100,000.  This included conceptual designs for all buildings and how they fitted the master plan.  This had, commercial, multi-residential units, heritage building adaptation and single residential, underground parking and landscape concepts for the public open space and took about 9 months to generate and liaise with all the appropriate authorities.

Often partial services may result in a fee claim of $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the scale and complexity of the project.  The services can also be staged to assist in the economic planning and give adequate time and opportunity for changes to be made and expertise from other sources to be used to ensure that the master plan suits the client requirements and the market at the time.

Interested in this service? Why not contact us for information on how we can work with you.