Q&A
ARCHITECTURAL & MEP FEE REFERENCE · Q&A

How the ARKITECNA Architectural & MEP Design Fee Estimator Works

The ARKITECNA Architecture & Design Fee Estimator (/estimator) calculates preliminary professional consultancy fees for architectural design, interior design, and MEP engineering across Indonesia (IDR), Italy / Europe (EUR), and Hong Kong / Asia (HKD). Developed by ARKITECNA / DGJ Architects (Trieste, Italy · Bali, Indonesia · Hong Kong · Dubai, UAE), it provides instant preliminary fee figures before a project enters detailed brief evaluation.

1. Supported Markets & Currencies

The calculator covers 3 geographical markets from estimatorConfig.js (2026-11-09): Indonesia in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), Italy / Europe in Euro (EUR), and Hong Kong / Asia in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD).

  • Indonesia (IDR): covers Bali (Canggu / Berawa / Pererenan, Uluwatu / Bukit, Ubud, Seminyak / Kerobokan, Sanur, Tabanan), Jawa, NTB (Lombok / Sumbawa) and NTT (Sumba / Flores / Timor).
  • Italy / Europe (EUR): Architecture + Base MEP at EUR 120,9/m², optional Interior Design at EUR 48,36/m², MEP Engineering only from EUR 37,2/m².
  • Hong Kong / Asia (HKD): evaluated directly by the studio ("Studio evaluation") based on project brief and regulatory scope.

2. Service Packages & Rates (Indonesia)

Users select one of 3 professional service packages and configure gross floor area between 20 m² and 10.000 m²:

  • Architecture + Base MEP: IDR 300.000/m² (concept, plans, sections, elevations, interior layout, 3D model, photorealistic renders, and base MEP layout).
  • Optional Interior Design Add-on: +IDR 120.000/m² on top of Architecture + Base MEP (custom furniture, material boards, lighting design, bathroom/kitchen detailing).
  • Full design + Full MEP (IAI Scale): displays "Studio evaluation" in the calculator while the studio evaluates percentage-based fees on construction cost.
  • MEP Engineering Only: from IDR 100.000/m² for standalone mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering.

3. Worked Calculation Example (250 m²)

Every linear per-m² estimate multiplies the selected gross floor area by the applicable market rate:

  • Input: Indonesia market · Private Villa · 250 m² · Architecture + Base MEP package.
  • Base Architectural & Base MEP Fee: 250 m² × IDR 300.000/m² = IDR 75.000.000.
  • With Optional Interior Design (+IDR 120.000/m²): +IDR 30.000.000, bringing the combined design fee to IDR 105.000.000.

Q&A

How much does architectural and MEP design cost per square metre in Bali and Indonesia?

According to ARKITECNA's 2026-11-09 fee schedule (estimatorConfig.js), the preliminary fee in Indonesia for the "Architecture + Base MEP" package is IDR 300.000 per m² of gross floor area. Adding the optional "Interior Design" package adds IDR 120.000 per m² (for a combined rate of IDR 420.000 per m²). Standalone "MEP Engineering only" starts from IDR 100.000 per m².

How is a 250 m² villa design fee calculated in the ARKITECNA Design Estimator?

For a 250 m² private villa in Indonesia selecting the "Architecture + Base MEP" package, the estimator multiplies 250 m² by IDR 300.000/m², resulting in an estimated professional fee of IDR 75.000.000. If the optional Interior Design add-on (+IDR 120.000/m²) is enabled, the calculator adds IDR 30.000.000 for a total of IDR 105.000.000.

What is the difference between Architecture + Base MEP, Full design + Full MEP, and MEP Engineering only?

"Architecture + Base MEP" (IDR 300.000/m² in Indonesia; EUR 120,9/m² in Italy) covers architectural concept, plans, sections, elevations, interior layout, 3D model, photorealistic renders, and base MEP layout. "Full design + Full MEP" refers to complete architectural and engineering scope based on the Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia (IAI) fee scale; because the IAI percentage table is evaluated case-by-case, the calculator displays "Studio evaluation". "MEP Engineering only" (from IDR 100.000/m² in Indonesia; from EUR 37,2/m² in Italy) covers standalone mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design for an existing architectural project.

Which geographical markets and building types are supported by the Design Fee Estimator?

The Design Fee Estimator (/estimator) supports three markets: Indonesia (IDR, covering Bali, Jawa, NTB, and NTT), Italy / Europe (EUR), and Hong Kong / Asia (HKD, evaluated via "Studio evaluation"). Across these markets, users can configure six building types: Private Villa, Boutique Hotel / Resort, Apartments / Condominium, Commercial / Office, Restaurant / Beach Club, and Industrial / Warehouse, for areas from 20 m² to 10.000 m².

Why does the estimator show "Studio evaluation" for Hong Kong, Renovations, or Full design + Full MEP?

The calculator displays "Studio evaluation" whenever a fee cannot be reduced to a flat per-square-metre linear rate: specifically for the Hong Kong / Asia market, for Renovation & Extension projects (which depend on existing structural conditions), and for the "Full design + Full MEP" package (where the IAI percentage table is applied directly by the studio).

Does the Architecture Design Fee Estimator include physical construction or villa furniture costs?

No. The Design Fee Estimator (/estimator) calculates only professional architectural, interior design, and MEP engineering consultancy fees. Physical villa construction, swimming pools, landscaping, and PBG/SLF building permits in Bali are calculated separately in the Construction Estimator (/estimator/construction), while loose and custom furniture packages are configured in the Furniture Estimator (/estimator/furniture).

Author & Technical Responsibility: ARKITECNA / DGJ Architects (Trieste, Italy · Bali, Indonesia · Hong Kong · Dubai, UAE). Reference source: ARKITECNA estimatorConfig.js (2026-11-09) · Author: ARKITECNA / DGJ Architects (Trieste, Italy · Bali, Indonesia · Hong Kong · Dubai, UAE). For physical building budgets in Bali, use the dedicated Construction Estimator (/estimator/construction); for interior FF&E packages, use the Furniture Estimator (/estimator/furniture).