Feasibility studies & strategic planning

Every successful project begins with careful foresight and informed decision-making. Our feasibility studies and strategic planning services help clients assess project viability, sustainability potential, and financial feasibility before making significant investments. Whether you’re planning a custom home, multi-unit housing, or a commercial development, we evaluate zoning laws, site constraints, and energy efficiency opportunities to ensure your project’s success.

Ready to bring your vision to life with a solid plan? Let’s talk.

View of East Beaver Creek Class A Office Building, surrounded by a landscaped pond and greenery. Poiesis Architecture provided strategic planning and capital improvements for the site.

East Beaver Creek Class A Office Building, with capital improvements and strategic planning by Poiesis Architecture.

Photography by Poiesis.

What we cover

Site analysis & functional planning

  • Understanding Client Needs: We delve into the lifestyle needs and site usage to ensure our designs reflect your vision.

  • Functional Evaluation: Assessing how spaces will serve both occupants and visitors effectively.

  • Site Condition Review: Analyzing topography, sun exposure, and tree protection. This information is compiled into a ‘Masterplan’ report that forms the basis for preliminary design and costing efforts.

Zoning & regulatory review

  • Zoning Analysis: Examining municipal zoning, local overlays, and special site conditions.

  • Approval Requirements: Identifying additional authorities that mandate approvals, such as conservation authorities, heritage regulations, and ravine protection.

Preliminary cost estimating

  • Budget Guidance: Offering high-level budget advice and connecting clients with costing consultants to provide preliminary estimates once the functional program is established.

  • Financial Alignment: Ensuring design aspirations are in sync with financial feasibility.

Sustainability & energy planning

  • Strategy Assessment: Evaluating Passive House and low-carbon design strategies.

  • Performance Upgrades: Identifying incremental building performance enhancements, prioritizing straightforward solutions before tackling more complex systems that affect energy use and occupant health.

Stakeholder coordination & risk assessment

  • Engagement: Collaborating with city planners, engineers, and environmental consultants.

  • Opportunity and Challenge Identification: Spotting potential project opportunities and challenges early in the process.

Master plan development

  • Feasibility Reporting: Delivering a detailed feasibility report.

  • Concept Evaluation: Providing at least two concept options for assessment before advancing to full design development.

  • Documentation Inclusion: Including up-to-date base building documentation and topographic surveys.

Frequently asked questions

  • A feasibility study identifies risks such as zoning constraints, budget misalignment, and environmental approvals, reducing costly surprises before full design and construction.

  • The master plan, produced at the end of the feasibility study, is a detailed document that outlines:

    • Project goals, vision, and site challenges

    • Opportunities for site upgrades and land use

    • Preliminary budget and risk assessment

    • Zoning analysis and permitting roadmap

    • Base building drawings and an updated topographic survey

  • Most studies take 4 to 16 weeks, depending on:

    • Complexity of approvals and necessary permitting.

    • Availability of base building documentation from the property owner.

    • Whether additional surveys, environmental assessments, or consultant reports are required.

  • We require:

    • Existing land surveys and base building drawings.

    • Zoning and site-specific regulations.

    • Geotechnical, environmental, or HAZMAT reports, if applicable.

      If these documents are unavailable, Poiesis Architecture can assist in obtaining them.

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