Architecture is the triumph of human imagination over materials, methods, and men, to put man into possession of his own Earth. It is at least the geometric pattern of things, of life, of the human and social world. It is at best that magic framework of reality that we sometimes touch upon when we use the word order.
- Frank Lloyd Wright
We will orient you during each phase, and work with you to get the most value from each stage of the process. It's a time-tested method for establishing a close working relationship between you and us, and producing the very best buildings.
Feasibility and Schematic Design:
We assume the enormous task of design thinking based on discipline and an educated use of common sense, and begin by studying the best use for the site based on your program and needs. During this phase of the architectural design process, we will take the information we’ve gathered from you and through our field surveys to create two to three design options for your consideration. We will generally present these options in the form of sketches, so you can visualize the different routes your project could take.
We will also attach a rough cost estimate to each option to aid you in selecting a design that meets both your aesthetic preferences and budget requirements. You will also have the opportunity to request any modifications you’d like us to make to your preferred design. Once you have selected a design option that best suits your needs, we will begin the process of refining the design during the Design Development phase.
Design Development:
At this point, we will take the schematic design you selected, as well as any requested modifications, and revise the design as necessary. We will also update the cost estimate we provided during the Schematic Design phase to reflect any changes we’ve made to the initial design. We take our clients’ budgets very seriously and continually strive to provide accurate estimates throughout the early stages of design.
This phase may require additional give and take as we work with you to finalize the details of the design before moving into the next phase.
Construction and Permit Documents:
By now, we will have settled on a final design and will begin preparing drawings, notes, and technical specifications necessary for bidding, construction, and permit application. This is the phase that many people think of when they picture the work of an architect – the creation of blueprints.
Contractors will use these detailed drawings and specifications to prepare for the next phase in the architectural design process.
Bidding:
At a minimum, we can aid you in developing a list of qualified contractors for your bid list and submitting bid packages to bidders. But we can also review submitted bids, provide analysis, and help you compare the cost figures that you receive from your bidders.
This phase will ensure the contractors you are considering for your construction project are reading the plans correctly and are providing an accurate bid for your project.
Construction Administration:
Finally, once you have selected a contractor and construction is under way, we move into the fifth phase of the architectural design process – construction administration. During this phase, we will administer the construction process to assure conformance with design intent, visit the site during construction, and address any field conditions as they arise.
This final phase, along with all the others described above, will ensure the smooth and satisfactory completion of your home construction or renovation project. Our ultimate goal as architects is to help you turn your dream of a new or renovated home into an affordable reality.