The Pre-Design phase gives us the opportunity to get to know you and begin to understand your preferences, budget, and goals. During preliminary discussions, we’ll help you clarify your functional needs, general aesthetic goals, desired green or sustainable options and projected budget.
In this phase we’ll meet with you to determine the scope of the project. After contacting the city or county planning departments to determine the project limits, we’ll define a program to outline the course of the project. If required, we’ll complete an existing conditions survey which includes field measurements and photo documentation of your existing structure, as well as creation of general as-built drawings of the existing structure. We’ll also look at any sketches or inspiration images you may have.
The Schematic Design phase includes several meetings with you in which we’ll present floor plan and elevation options based on the program defined during the Pre-Design phase. These sketches will be used to facilitate discussions about the project requirements. They will also establish the conceptual design of the project, illustrating the scale and relationship of the project components. The primary objective in this phase is to arrive at a clearly defined, feasible concept and to present it in a form that helps you understand the project and explore alternative solutions. Typically, several schemes are offered and discussed before arriving at the final concept to be further developed in the next phase.
The Design Development phase is based on the approved Schematic Design documents and any refinements in the program, schedule or budget. Meetings continue and drawings are developed to a more detailed level to minimize the possibility of major modifications being needed during the development of Construction Documents. The Design Development documents are computer drafted (using the latest AutoCAD Architecture and/or Sketchup Pro software), to-scale drawings that will illustrate the project as it will look when constructed. These drawings typically consist of a site plan, floor plans, exterior elevations and diagrammatic building sections as necessary to convey the project intent. Additionally, we can begin preliminary selections for equipment, windows, doors, floor coverings, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures and other interior design components.
Preliminary selections of major building systems and construction materials will be noted on the drawings or described in writing. The Design Development phase further develops the approved designs to incorporate code requirements, accessibility, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other systems into the design.
We offer the following Interior Design services as a standard part of your project:
(1) Diagrammatic F.F.&E. plans showing locations of fixtures, furnishings and equipment.
(2) Schematic plans for cabinetry, mill work, lighting, and other interior decorative details
(3) Rough-in electrical and plumbing fixture locations as needed for construction documents.
Under separate agreement, detailed schedules such as lighting, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and interior finishes may be provided. We are also available to assist in the procurement of merchandise and furniture, as well as detailed finishes, cabinetry details, wall colors, floor materials, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and window treatments. In addition, we’ll let you know about cost-effective sustainable options, and we can take an inventory of existing fixtures and furniture that might be re-used in the project.
Upon completion and approval of the Design Development phase, we’ll create the Construction Documents for your project. These important documents contain all the necessary information to apply for with the the intent of obtaining a building permit and construct the project, including detailed project dimensions along with structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing layouts. The Construction Documents will include drawings, details and notes that establish the design intent for your project. They’ll serve as the primary means of communication between the Architect, City or County plan reviewers, inspectors, contractors, and Architectural Review Boards/Committees, if applicable.
Once the Construction Documents are completed, the Government Review process begins. For more complex projects, this process begins earlier to facilitate preliminary reviews and address particular issues that may be drivers in the design. Typical Government Review involves submitting the Construction Documents to the city or county plan reviewer, who will prepare a comment list and may request additional information to clarify specific parts of the project and address compliance with governing codes. We will provide responses to these comments and continue the review process as necessary to obtain a building permit as quickly as possible.
If a general contractor has not already been selected, we’ll help establish a list of prospective bidders. We will assist solicitation for cost estimates from qualified general contractors based on the Construction Documents. We will respond to questions from prospective bidders and provide clarifications as necessary and answer questions during bid review. The final selection of a general contractor will be based on feedback from the Architect for an educated and well vetted decision. Although, the Bidding Assistance phase is a small percentage of the overall Architecture process, our expertise can save you a great deal of frustration and expense.