OUR DESIGN PROCESS

This phase begins with an initial meeting between our firm and the client. We discuss the hopes and dreams of the project as well as the primary and secondary objectives to be achieved. It is important to discuss the project timeline, inspiration, concepts and more during this phase. We will then begin exploring potential options through sketching and inspiration photos.

During this phase, our team will develop a proposal specific to your project. This proposal will itemize the services and necessary drawings for the project, as well as a breakdown of the estimated hours needed to complete it. Once you review and sign the proposal, we can begin working on your project!

Schematic Design is important for information gathering. We will conduct site visits, take dimensions and perform programming and adjacency studies. These studies help us determine what are the most important considerations for the project. Rough sketches and drawings will be produced to help illustrate potential layout options.

Additionally, the schematic phase allows us to document all existing conditions necessary to the success of the project. We will explore inhibiting factors as well as areas to be optimized. While there may be no existing conditions with new-build projects, it is still important to evaluate the location and potential services that will be needed. Some of these potential services include civil engineering, geotechnical surveys and more. We are happy to facilitate these services for you.

During this phase we will provide multiple schemes that will allow you as the client to weigh the pros and cons of each option. These schemes can consist of layout options, exterior/interior preliminary materials and general square footage considerations. This is where final design decisions are made. Multiple progress review meetings will be held to ensure time and clarity for project corrections before the Construction Document phase.

Communication during this phase is imperative to the success of the project. After this point, design changes can be difficult to implement. We aim to be as transparent as possible with you and verify that we have captured all desired aspects of the project. We also have the capability and tools to provide 3D renderings for project visualization purposes. This is an additional service but would be included during this phase of design.

Construction Documents are developed once all questions and concerns are ironed out from the Design Development phase. They are intricate and detailed blueprints that are fit for a contractor's use. Often referred to as CDs, Construction Documents are complete with full dimensions, annotations and all the necessary sheets for construction.

Once Construction Documents are underway, significant design changes should not be made. The time it takes to produce CDs can vary depending on the size and intricacy of the project. Depending on your type of project, we can provide bidding assistance and construction administration once CDs are complete. See Phase 5 for more details.

With commercial projects, our involvement in the project during construction is critical. Often times it makes the most sense to bid-out the project for construction. We include our assistance and guidance with the bidding process in our base architectural fees. The same rule applies for Construction Administration which takes place once the project is under construction. We will monitor submittals, RFIs and oversee the construction progress. 

With residential projects, we do not include bidding services or Construction Administration in our base fees. Instead, these services will be treated as an add-on at an hourly rate. However, we will still provide a few site visits to the owner for free to check on the progress of the project.