Pushing The Boundaries
Paul Beneduce, Commercial Director at Zara Moon Architects, reveals their unique in-house design, planning and build strategy that creates a seamless journey from concept to completion
When Paul Beneduce and Zara Moon launched their architecture practice back in 2017, they had one aim – to push architectural design and planning boundaries to achieve the best possible solutions for their sites, buildings and clients.
Fast forward to 2024 and they have developed a reputation as being the go-to practice across Lancashire for bespoke designs, achieving planning success on sensitive sites, and delivering high quality builds.
Paul’s role as Commercial Director has accelerated ZMA to achieve in seven years, what most practices don’t achieve in 20 years, with his constant drive for development and growth.
His business awareness and market understanding ensures the value and development potential for every project is maximised in relation to the client’s aspirations.
“The business has evolved from being an architecture practice to delivering a turn-key service from design through to completion including tendering, project management and administering the building contract in order to deliver and manage the construction stage,” says Paul.
Paul’s on-site construction experience paired with entrepreneurial drive, is a unique asset within an architecture practice and it is what sets ZMA apart from the ‘traditional’ architecture practice.
ZMA have acquired many high-net worth clients, who Paul works directly with to provide commercial strategies to maximise the value of properties and sites across the North West.
“Clients approach us to undertake the whole project with the benefits of working with one team throughout the lifecycle of the project. It ensures communication and quality control can be maintained throughout the construction stage, always ensuring the client’s original objectives are met,” explains Paul.
“My involvement begins from the first consultation and continues through to completion. I help to develop the initial design concepts particularly in terms of how the building will look, the overall aesthetic, architectural style and materials. Post planning approval, I will manage the tender process, oversee and project manage the construction stage, providing additional support to our clients when required.
“Eighty per cent of the projects we have worked on over the last seven years are on sensitive sites, and as we are passionate about achieving solutions for our clients, the business naturally developed its own specialism for achieving ‘impossible’ planning approvals on these sites,” adds Paul.
“Zara is both a RIBA Chartered Architect and our in-house Planning Consultant, which is another unique combination of skills within the same practice. Planning strategy begins from day one and is integrated within our design process.”
With an unbelievable 96 per cent success rate on some of the most sensitive sites across Lancashire, ZMA have achieved planning success on some of the most talked-about sites in the North-West.
Here is a selection of projects ZMA have been appointed for full architectural and project management services, with more commencing on-site in 2024.
