PRE-PURCHASE DESIGN REVIEW CASE STUDY

Off-Plan Penthouse Review

A layout and design assessment for clients considering the purchase of an off-plan penthouse.

SERVICE Pre-Purchase Design Review
PROPERTY TYPE Off-plan penthouse
Review Brief Identify what could be adjusted, clarified or raised with the developer before purchase.

The clients wanted to understand what could still be changed before they committed.

The existing sales plan did not fully reflect the way the clients wanted to live.

Patina Design Studio reviewed the apartment’s layout, finishes, lighting, appliances, storage, furniture planning and outdoor areas to identify what could be adjusted, clarified or raised with the developer before purchase.

The review also helped the client and buyer’s agent identify which design items should be raised with the developer before proceeding.

Existing Plan - Original architect’s plan

Existing Plan

Original architect’s plan

The existing plan was reviewed against the clients’ lifestyle requirements, storage needs, entertaining habits, furniture planning and desired level of finish.

Patina Design Studio Review - Proposed concept layout

Patina Design Studio Review

Proposed concept layout

Patina Design Studio prepared a proposed concept layout identifying possible changes across room relationships, storage, joinery, kitchen planning, ensuite planning and outdoor use.

Existing architect’s plan compared with Patina Design Studio’s proposed concept layout.
Click to enlarge plan

What the Review Considered

Layout & Circulation

How the apartment worked as a whole, including arrival, hallway flow, room relationships and everyday movement.

Kitchen Planning

Whether the kitchen layout, island, sink location, appliance placement and bench space could be improved.

Pantry & Laundry

How the pantry and laundry could be reworked to improve storage, grocery flow, laundry use and appliance access.

Bedrooms

Whether the bedroom zones, bed placement, privacy and wardrobe planning could be improved while maintaining three bedrooms.

Ensuite & Powder Room

Whether an additional ensuite and dedicated guest powder room could be incorporated without compromising key spaces.

Study & Wardrobe Use

How we could reconfigure the layout to incorporate a dedicated study and additional walk-in robe to the main bedroom.

Lighting & Electrical

What lighting, electrical and security items needed to be clarified before purchase.

Finishes & Fixtures

Which finishes, sanitaryware, plumbing fixtures and appliance selections needed to be clarified, upgraded or adjusted.

Joinery & Storage

Where integrated storage, fireplace joinery, bar joinery, linen storage, utility storage and display joinery could be improved or added.

Window Treatments & Heat Control

What needed to be allowed for motorised blinds, curtains, awnings, privacy and sun control.

Furniture & Art Planning

Whether the apartment could support dining for 12, conversation-focused living, outdoor furniture and art placement.

Terrace & Outdoor Use

How the terrace could better support outdoor dining, BBQ, lounging, spa use, awnings, storage and garden function.

What We Reviewed

Existing Plan

Could the apartment be adapted before purchase?

Clients’ Priorities

Would the layout support entertaining, storage, privacy, outdoor living and daily function?

Change Potential

Which items needed to be clarified with the developer before proceeding?

What The Review Clarified

Proposed Concept Layout

The proposed concept layout identified possible changes across room relationships, storage, joinery, kitchen planning, ensuite planning and outdoor use.

Developer Discussion Points

Layout, lighting, appliances, finishes, joinery, storage and outdoor-use items were identified for discussion with the developer.

Purchase Negotiation Support

The review helped the client and buyer’s agent identify the design items to raise with the developer before proceeding.

The Purpose Of The Review

This was not a full design process.

It was a focused pre-purchase assessment designed to help the clients understand what could be adjusted, what needed to be clarified, and what should be raised before proceeding.

The value was not in resolving every design detail. It was in identifying the right questions early enough to influence the purchase.