FAQ

For us, there is no such thing as a small project. We are interested in projects that seek excellence regardless of scale. We have extensive experience in diverse sectors of urban planning and construction, from residential and hotel projects to building refurbishment and laboratories. We imbue every space with soul, always supported by highly developed design in pursuit of impeccable execution.

Refurbishing in Galicia is, for us, an exercise in balance between respect for the existing and current needs. We select materials that guarantee the durability of the construction, always seeking integration that preserves the essence of the place and ages well. We clearly seek for the new part of the construction to blend into a whole with the old part. We are not interested in deliberate contrasts; we are interested in history and how we integrate with what already exists.

At SEA we apply the principles of the Passivhaus standard: a high-precision methodology that seeks near-zero consumption through continuous insulation and the most efficient systems. Our international experience allows us to adapt this Central European rigour to the Galician climate with common sense. We design functional homes that guarantee a real return on investment. We also work with LEED and BREEAM labels.

We guarantee the integrity of each project through exhaustive technical definition, applying the rigour and precision of our international experience in markets such as Germany and Switzerland. Through a constant presence on site, we supervise execution to scrupulously respect these standards, ensuring that thermal comfort and material quality endure in the long term.

Our work process is based on close, orderly accompaniment that ensures total control over the investment, making the final result match the project.

• Preliminary project, based on a needs programme that must be constantly clarified during the process.
• Basic project, which is the document used to apply for the licence.
• Execution project, which serves to budget the works with different builders.
• Site management, consisting of the follow-up and control of the entire construction process to adhere to the execution project.

An architecture project is developed in three main phases:

Yes. Our priority is that the client can delegate all responsibility to us. Therefore, we assume administrative management before the relevant bodies, drafting and submitting all necessary documentation —from reports and drawings to regulatory justifications— for obtaining licences. The goal is for this process, often complex, to become a fluid, professional and totally transparent procedure.

The key to our cost control lies in eliminating uncertainty before work begins. By developing an Execution Project and an exhaustive Budget, we break down every item and unit of work. This technical document, together with a contract drafted by a lawyer, legally binds the contracted construction company, obliging it to adhere to closed prices and qualities, which drastically minimises the appearance of unforeseen events or cost overruns. By anticipating and resolving every construction joint in the project phase, we transform the budget into a real and enforceable roadmap, ensuring that the final execution is the exact reflection of the initial economic planning.

Beyond our fees, every work involves a series of official and administrative costs necessary for its legalisation and execution. Among them, municipal taxes and construction taxes (ICIO) stand out, which depend on each town hall, as well as mandatory collegiate visas. We also take on Execution Management and Health and Safety Coordination. Depending on the project, a geotechnical study and a topographical study may also be necessary.

Finding the right construction company is a strategic decision that we facilitate through a transparent tendering process. We do not leave this step to chance: we compare quotes from solvent companies under the same bill of quantities, acting as a rigorous technical filter. In the end, it is about forming a team where technical execution is the faithful reflection of the vision we have built together.

Yes, architecture and construction are two roles that must work in harmony, but with total autonomy. The architecture studio must lead, monitor and supervise that the entire project is built exactly as it appears in the execution project.

Our technical responsibility is comprehensive and constitutes the legal shield for your investment from the first analysis to final delivery. By assuming Site Management and Health and Safety Coordination, we act as the technical guarantor certifying that every executed solution strictly complies with the Technical Building Code (CTE) and current regulations. This security is formalised with the issuance of the Final Works Certificate, the official document that certifies the correct completion of the works under our supervision. Furthermore, all our professional activity is backed by Professional Liability Insurance, offering a solvent response and absolute legal protection against any eventuality.