Your Vision and Program
Every project begins with your vision – whether a simple home remodel, a ground-up new home, or any other architectural project. Using your vision we create a program typically highlighting the requirements and goals of the project in the form of a narrative, list, or sketch. We welcome and encourage client involvement in each phase to assure program goals are met.
Process Phases
PHASE 1: PRE-DESIGN
Pre-Design is an information gathering phase, focusing on the site and the applicable permitting agencies. Tasks in this phase typically include the following:
ORIGINAL site review.
1. Review applicable Planning and Building Codes to understand the issues that affect the development of the project.
2. Create or verify existing site & floor plans (by measuring at the site), and create a CAD file for the project.
3. Explore areas of the site for development, taking in factors to include or avoid, and loosely prepare for design work.
4. Begin assembling “team members”: Surveyor, Structural Engineer, Civil and/or Soils Engineer, General Contractor.
5. Clients are expected/encouraged to find images that capture preferred aesthetics to share.
PHASE 2: SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Schematic Design is the first phase of plan development. It is a loose, exploratory phase meant to provide a variety of solutions that meet the program requirements. The process in Phase 2 may include the following activities:
Concept Perspective Sketch Showing Elevation
1. Graphically explore design solutions in both sketches and computer generated drawings (shaped by your program and all relevant code and site requirements realized in Phase 1).
2. Refine the overall design concept through Client feedback, via emails and/or meetings.
3. Consult with a Structural Engineer to work out preliminary structural solutions.
4. Open up discussions with the Builder to get cost feedback for the design developed thus far. This feedback helps to define the project scope of work, and/or methods of construction.
5. Clients are encouraged to explore material preferences for exterior & interior aspects of the project (finishes, windows & doors, cabinetry, etc).
PHASE 3: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
In the Design Development phase, we continue developing aspects of the program/design pursued for Permit & Construction. Activity in this phase includes:
Hand Drawn Eave Detail
1. Further exploration/study of the project, such as: interior volumes, door/window style & placement, exterior/interior materials, mass modeling, solar/shadow studies, etc.
2. Review energy/ green / fire codes and begin applying them to the design.
3. Review mechanical systems (heating/cooling/domestic water heating, etc) for application to project.
4. Continue working with the Structural Engineer and Mechanical Engineers to adjust design as necessary.
5. Review preliminary construction costs with General Contractor; incorporate any cost saving or efficiency measures.
6. Determine the final scope of work for permit & construction, based on cost /structural /code requirements; create Master Plan if appropriate to capture & document future work.
7. Clients encouraged to begin selecting final material & product choices.
PHASE 4A: PERMIT DOCUMENTS
At this point, the scope of work for permit has been determined, and we continue working with Client and Consultants to create the documents required for a building permit. The PERMIT documents consist of several technical drawings which include:
Plan Showing Existing Carport with New Work Indicated
1. All Architectural drawings required for permit: site & floor plans, sections, elevations, details, etc.
2. Limited specifications describing materials to be used in the project, noted directly on the plans and details.
3. Lighting /electrical /mechanical plans (coordinated with appropriate consultant information).
4. Structural plans & calculations (provided by the structural engineer & coordinated with the Architectural design).
5. Title-24 Energy Compliance report and CalGreen checklists – as required.
6. Coordination with other consultants as appropriate; Geotechnical, Civil, lighting, A/V, elevator, etc.
7. Submit documents to permit bureau, and respond to plan check comments.
PHASE 4b: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
After permit submittal, we typically continue development of the permit documents to create more detailed CONSTRUCTION plans for the client and General Contractor. They are layered with additional information, such as:
Elevation Plan for a Kitchen
1. Architectural details
2. Interior elevations (i.e. kitchen. bathrooms, built-in cabinetry, etc.)
3. Product & finish schedules. (i.e. windows & doors, finishes)
4. Specifications for selected products & materials
PHASE 5: CONTRACT NEGOTIATION & CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
During construction we advise weekly or biweekly site visits to monitor construction. In doing so, questions can be answered and mistakes avoided. Typical tasks in the Construction phase include:
Visiting Site to Ensure Correct Cantilever Detail on Roof
1. Pre-Construction meeting with General Contractor to discuss permit & construction documents.
2. Observing /monitoring construction as necessary or required.
3. Provide sign-offs or documentation as required by the Building/Planning Depts.
Project Example: Remodel
From Pre-Design through Construction Administration, your vision may be continually refined. We’ve discovered through our experience that all concepts are fluid until finally built. Opportunities for new options and improvements may be exposed and explored as they emerge throughout the design/build process. Below is an example of one client’s design visualization process for a remodel (left to right). The progression of increasing refinements allowed the client to explore alternatives for configurations, features and architectural details. The client ultimately realized a vision even better than what was initially anticipated.
Existing 1st Floor Plan
An existing floor plan is our starting point, area of remodel shown within red cloud.
Plan developed per owner preference
Plan evolves to include goals set by owners.
Exploring new plan options
Options for removed walls, rear door location, cabinet/counters, pantry/storage, laundry, and dog washing station are explored.
Before and After Plans
Final decisions captured on plan for permit, side by side with existing plan as reference.
Family Room and Laundry Elevations
Exploring Family Room and Laundry layout options via elevations. Hand drawn sketches help to explore options. One view informs the other.
Family Room and Views
Refinement of Family Room layout, defining views looking out, in, and at fireplace and media center in CAD, for construction.
Family Room Cabinet Detail
Close detail view of cabinet layout for construction.
Column and other Architectural Details
Details for columns, with views of the columns between rooms.
Project Example: New Construction
Following is an example of one client’s design process for new construction (left to right). As discussed in the remodel process, the same progression of increasing refinements allow the owners to explore alternatives and visualize contrasting options.
Bubble Diagram for "Big Picture" Layout
Preliminary bubble diagrams identify area functions and is used for space planning related to circulation, function, and related views. Bubbles are generally same size as space indicated.
Preliminary Plan
Initial plan shows overall circulation, placement of rooms, and potential views from each space.
Floor Plan Exploration
Alternative plans are often explored. In this case, a “splayed” plan with consideration for varying views.
Floor Plan Exploration 3
Another alternate plan explored, refining the owner’s concepts of spacial relationships and use patterns.
Final Floor Plan
Splaying the plan to align more closely with the property lines allows for better access, views, and privacy.
Permit Documents and Elevations
Once the plan is established, exterior finishes are determined. Stucco and two forms of horizontal siding are selected. Sun shades and an Entrance Pergola also enhance the architecture.
Construction Documents for Shade Structure and Pergola
Early concept drawings for the shade structure and entry pergola are created and sent to the team for refinement and pricing.
