There are 5 phases we follow throughout the design of a project. This post outlines our process and what you can expect. Learn more here!
Our goal, as the architect is to help guide your project every step of the way, from conception to construction. If you’ve never worked with an architect before, don’t worry! The process might seem overwhelming at first, but we’ll walk you through our custom, collaborative approach to make it smooth and enjoyable.
Our work follows five industry-standard design phases: Pre-design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration. These are the core architectural services we offer, but we also have optional add-ons if you’re looking for extra design support.
Keep reading to see what our process looks like and how we can bring your vision to life!
This stage is in preparation for designing your project. It consists of looking at the feasibility of what you want to do. We start with an initial consultation to get to know you, understand your project goals, timeline, and budget. From there, we conduct preliminary research on the context of the project site - What are the local building codes? What does the landscape look like? What is the climate? What are the opportunities? What are the restrictions? This helps us determine if the project you have in mind is doable. If so, we move on to the next phase. If not, we help you revise and reconsider your options.
If the project is a remodel of or an addition to an existing home, this phase is also when we take measurements of what is currently built in order to inform the proposed design. We input these measurements into the computer to create a 3D model of the existing conditions, which we call "as-builts". These as-built drawings serve a baseline for the next phase.
This phase is when we gather information from you regarding your project needs, desired size, and preferred architectural style. Perhaps you have sketches or images to share ideas you have come up with for your project.
This is when it gets personal - we ask a lot of questions in order to understand how you and the other inhabitants use the space. Do you like to cook and entertain guests? Do you watch TV in the living room or in bed? How many people are getting ready in the bathroom in the morning? Do you like small, cozy spaces or grand, big spaces? All of this helps us determine a starting point for the design.
From there, we provide schematic floor plans in the computer that capture the ideas discussed. In some cases, when clients are unsure of what they want, we'll produce multiple options of floor plan and 3D designs. Oftentimes after seeing their ideas on paper, this sparks additional ideas from clients and we go through another round of schematic drawings. Sometimes clients like elements of two different options and want to combine them. Sometimes clients know exactly what they want and can clearly pinpoint the floor plan layout they want to move forward with.
At the end of this phase, the drawings are at a level that is appropriate to give to a builder, or general contractor, for a preliminary cost estimate or what we call a rough order of magnitude (ROM). Understanding the cost of construction is essential during all phases of the design process to ensure the project stays within your budget. We recommend working with a general contractor for cost estimating as they will be the most knowledgeable of current market prices.
Once a schematic design option has been selected, we begin to begin to refine and develop the design. This involves creating exterior elevations, which helps explore materials, roof lines, window and door placements. Certain projects call for further analysis into when and how daylight enters the house, for which we conduct daylighting studies that map when the sun moves through your project.
This is also when we bring the drawings to a more technical level in preparation to submit for a building permit. During this phase we ensure the project is compliant with local building codes and add the appropriate notation and calculations to the drawing set. This is also when a structural engineer is involved in the design process. A structural engineer is an integral member of the project team and provides necessary drawings and calculations that are required for a building permit.
Typically we, as the architects, handle the permit submittal so you, as the client, don't have to. This can include filling out the required forms and communicating with the local jurisdiction. The City or County reviews the building permit application and can make comments or ask questions to clarify what the drawings are illustrating. Part of our responsibility is responding to these comments and resubmitting the application. Once the City or County feels all of the necessary documentation is included in the drawings, they will issue an approved building permit. The timeline for this review process can vary greatly from one region to the other. In some cases, counties can review permit applications within a month, however, others it can take several months.
While the local jurisdiction is reviewing the permit application, we are busy preparing construction documents. These documents go beyond the permit drawings, providing a higher level of detail that guides the actual construction process. Permit drawings focus on code compliance and meeting regulatory requirements, whereas construction documents specify how various elements of the design will be built, including structural details, material selections, and precise installation methods.
The completed construction documents serve as the comprehensive blueprint for the general contractor, ensuring they have all the necessary information to execute the project as intended. These documents typically include detailed plans, sections, elevations, schedules, and specifications for various building components. Specifications outline materials, finishes, and products such as flooring, cabinetry, door styles, bathroom tile, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and more.
In addition to construction documents, we also offer interior design services to assist clients in selecting finishes and fixtures. Because interior design selections are not required for permit approval, this process takes place concurrently with the development of construction documents. This allows us to carefully curate and finalize selections that align with the design vision, budget, and functional needs of the project.
By the end of this phase, you will have an approved building permit, a complete set of construction drawings, and a finalized specification package, ensuring a smooth transition into the construction phase. At this point, your general contractor will have everything they need to begin building your project with clarity and confidence.
The construction administration phase serves as a way for us to answer questions during construction and to ensure that the project is being built according to the design. This phase can include on-site meetings to review the progress of construction or it can consist of phone calls, video conferences, and additional sketches to clarify the intent of the drawings. In some cases, we provide construction administration on an as needed basis, meaning we are on call if questions arise. In other cases, we schedule weekly or biweekly meetings to oversee the project throughout the entire construction process. We always love to do a final walkthrough when the project is completed to ensure that our clients are happy with the results!
In addition to the base architectural services outlined above, we also provide optional services to aid in the design of your project.
During this phase, we provide additional drawings that illustrate the interior spaces, particularly cabinet layouts in the kitchen and bathrooms, and any additional custom built-in elements. We call these type of drawings interior elevations.
We'll also make suggestions for interior materials and finishes to choose from. This can include materials for flooring, wall finishes, cabinetry, tile, countertops, paint, trim, etc. We collect material samples for these finishes and make suggestions for what works well together. Oftentimes, the true design is in these details. This is what determines your house as a modern farmhouse vs. a rustic cabin.
In addition, we also provide lighting plans to determine the location of light fixtures, electrical switches and outlets, plus make recommendations for the ceiling finish. This type of drawing can make the process of communicating with your builder and electrician more seamless.
Our 3D visualization offerings allow for a more interactive process utilizing 3D modeling and color rendering of your project. This can help you better visualize different material options on the interior or exterior of your home. Check out the two different variations on the same project below!
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