Our Design Process
Fusing aesthetic excellence with practical application, AKD follows a strategic four-stage journey—Discover, Design, Document, and Deliver—ensuring every commercial and retail space is meticulously refined from initial consultation to final delivery.
AKD 1 Discover
Initial Consultation: Understanding your vision and project feasibility. During this initial phase, we dive deep into your spatial goals, brand identity, and practical requirements. We assess the site parameters and identify key opportunities to ensure your project is built on a foundation of strategic design and architectural purpose.
We explore:
- Who you are
- What your business needs
- Why the space matters
- How the space should function
- What opportunities exist within the site
This stage is about finding the right design strategy before moving into concepts.
It involves:
- Client briefing
- Site understanding
- Customer/ user thinking
- Functional requirements
- Opportunities and constraints
- Early design direction
AKD 2 Design
Concept Development: Translating ideas into aesthetic and functional retail models through curated mood boards, layout iterations, and spatial strategies.
This is where the ideas come to life.
AKD develops the design direction, layout and visual language of the space, helping you clearly understand how the project will look and feel before it is built.
Concept Design involves:
- Layout planning
- Design ideas
- Material direction
- Look and Feel
- 3D visualisation
Final Refinements:
- Feedback integration
- Design Development
- Finishes and details refined
- Final concept resolution
AKD 3 Document
Design Refinement: Detailed documentation and technical specifications for construction. AKD produces builder-ready documentation that translates high-level concepts into actionable plans. This phase involves precise technical set outs, interior elevations, joinery details, and finishes schedules to ensure a seamless transition from design to delivery.
This is where the project is translated into the detailed drawings and specifications required for pricing, approvals and construction.
This stage helps ensure the design is clearly communicated and buildable.
This involves:
- Plans
- Elevations - Exterior and Interior
- Joinery details
- Lighting details with J7 Report
- Finishes schedules
- Equipment schedules
- Signage details
AKD 4 Deliver
Project Delivery: Overseeing installation and final finishing to ensure editorial excellence. We manage the final stage of procurement, coordinate the seamless placement of furniture and styling, and conduct a final walkthrough to ensure every detail aligns perfectly with the documented vision.
Good design needs to be delivered properly.
AKD stays involved to help make sure the final result reflects the original design intent and is executed with care.
This stage involves:
- Builder/ supplier coordination
- Site checking
- Design clarification
- Troubleshooting during the build
- Opening day readiness
From first conversation to final handover, the goal is simple; a space that feels considered, is functional and comes together properly.