Design Process
Designing and building a new home is a multifaceted journey and can be intimidating when facing unknowns. With over 30+ years of architecture and building experience we will guide you along the entire process, helping you make the best choices that will save your time, money and heartache. We have mapped out the entire Design and Building Process, giving our clients a full understanding and mastery of the steps along the way. While all projects may not require the following, this list shall serve as a general guide as to when certain services are performed throughout the process.
01 Pre-Design
Pre-Design Conference - We begin with a discovery session that brings out the over all goals of your custom home or project. We discuss:
- Your Needs and Wish List
- New Home Questionnaire
- Walk Lot
- Design Theme and Layout
- Budget
- Goals
- Prepare Architectural Design Fee Proposal
- Engagement by Client
- Site Selection (if needed)
- Engage Surveyor
02 Conceptual & Schematic Design
- Site Analysis
- Floor plan organization concepts & general layouts
- Preliminary Site Plan
- Building style exploration
- Preliminary Floor Plan(s)
- Preliminary Front Elevation(s)
- Exterior material exploration
- Budget check (with builder if selected)
- Presentations to Client
- Presentation to Design Review Committee when needed
03 Design Development
All remaining design decisions are explored and finalized in this design phase. Renderings may be created to help visualize the building forms, materials and colors.
- Computerized drawings
- Develop exterior Exterior Elevations
- 3-D Building Modelling and Renderings (if required/desired)
- Develop Interior Features and/or engage interior designer
- Preliminary Design of Fireplaces, built-ins, cabinetry layouts.
- Floor Finishes and materials
- Explore Doors and Windows Initial development of exterior details
- Preliminary Exterior Materials and Colors Selection
- Preliminary Building Systems Review
- Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) & Geothermal
- Plumbing Systems
- Electrical Service
- Audio Visual
- Specialty Construction
- Budget Review (with builder if selected)
- Presentations to Client and Design Review Committee
- Coordination with Owner's Geo-technical Engineer – Soils Reports
04 Construction Documents
Once the building design is firmly established in the prior design phases, Construction Documents (Bid and Permit plans) are developed and engineered to make your dreams a reality.
- Architectural Plans – Fully Detailed
- Architectural Site Plan
- Floor Plans
- Elevations
- Building Section(s)
- Wall Section(s)
- Stair Section
- Exterior Details
- Soffit & Fascia
- Corbels/Brackets
- Decorative Trusses
- Deck Rails
- Pergolas
- Interior Details
- Fireplace Details
- Built-ins
- Interior Elevations
- Materials
- Electrical Plans
- Audio Visual Plans
- HVAC Design Coordination
- Utility Design Coordination
- Electrical Service
- Water/Well Service
- Sewer/Septic Service
- Final Exterior Colors & Materials selections
- Outline Specifications (when needed)
- Presentations to Client and Design Review Committee
- Coordination with Owner's Civil Engineer
- Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (DESC)
Coordination with Owner's Structural Engineer - Framing Plans
- Foundation Plans and details
- Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (DESC)