What is the Design Process?
The design and construction process includes five primary phases:
Programming or Deciding What to Build | :
In this phase, the architect and owner discuss and outline the owner’s needs for the project. Questions regarding the owner’s lifestyle are investigated. Do you work out of the home? Do you need a lot of space for entertaining? Do you want to retire the lawnmower and have patios with native landscaping? What is your budget for the project? What are your design preferences? What is your schedule? In this stage, it is fun to bring out all of the clippings and ideas you have saved and see what will work in your project.
Schematic Design or Rough Sketches | :
The architect takes the site plan and the Program which was completed in the first phase and develops a couple of alternative design concepts. Site issues such as required setbacks, maintaining existing trees, and the design of outdoor spaces are taken into consideration. An approximate footprint which addresses the program requirements is placed on the site in a diagrammatic way to illustrate sun patterns, street access, buffers from neighbors and other issues important to the setting of the house or addition. Schematic exterior sketches are completed to show the character of the design schemes. The owner decides which scheme is preferred and the architect proceeds to:
Design Development/Refining the Design | :
The preferred scheme is enlarged in scale so that room layouts can be accurately measured and spaces allocated to cabinets, washer and dryer, etc. The exterior elevations are developed to show material selections and the overall character of the house. Decisions are made on major materials and finishes so that these elements can be incorporated into:
Construction Documents | :
The architect prepares detailed drawings and specifications for permitting and bidding or determination of final construction cost if a contractor has been selected. These are the documents on which the contract for construction will be based. They are also the documents that are submitted to the local jurisdiction to obtain a building permit.
Hiring the Contractor | :
The owner selects the contractor either through a negotiation process or a bid process. The architect can assist in both instances by preparing invitations to bid and bidding documents.
Construction Administration | :
An architect is required to stamp the documents they prepare which indicates to the jurisdiction that they will make at least minimal periodic site visits to observe the construction of the project. Depending on the owner’s needs, the architect can be more involved in reviewing applications for payment from the contractor and preparing periodic field reports. The architect will assist the owner in making sure that the project is built according to the design intent. The contractor is solely responsible for construction methods, techniques, schedules, and procedures.
The design and construction process includes five primary phases:
Programming or Deciding What to Build | :
In this phase, the architect and owner discuss and outline the owner’s needs for the project. Questions regarding the owner’s lifestyle are investigated. Do you work out of the home? Do you need a lot of space for entertaining? Do you want to retire the lawnmower and have patios with native landscaping? What is your budget for the project? What are your design preferences? What is your schedule? In this stage, it is fun to bring out all of the clippings and ideas you have saved and see what will work in your project.
Schematic Design or Rough Sketches | :
The architect takes the site plan and the Program which was completed in the first phase and develops a couple of alternative design concepts. Site issues such as required setbacks, maintaining existing trees, and the design of outdoor spaces are taken into consideration. An approximate footprint which addresses the program requirements is placed on the site in a diagrammatic way to illustrate sun patterns, street access, buffers from neighbors and other issues important to the setting of the house or addition. Schematic exterior sketches are completed to show the character of the design schemes. The owner decides which scheme is preferred and the architect proceeds to:
Design Development/Refining the Design | :
The preferred scheme is enlarged in scale so that room layouts can be accurately measured and spaces allocated to cabinets, washer and dryer, etc. The exterior elevations are developed to show material selections and the overall character of the house. Decisions are made on major materials and finishes so that these elements can be incorporated into:
Construction Documents | :
The architect prepares detailed drawings and specifications for permitting and bidding or determination of final construction cost if a contractor has been selected. These are the documents on which the contract for construction will be based. They are also the documents that are submitted to the local jurisdiction to obtain a building permit.
Hiring the Contractor | :
The owner selects the contractor either through a negotiation process or a bid process. The architect can assist in both instances by preparing invitations to bid and bidding documents.
Construction Administration | :
An architect is required to stamp the documents they prepare which indicates to the jurisdiction that they will make at least minimal periodic site visits to observe the construction of the project. Depending on the owner’s needs, the architect can be more involved in reviewing applications for payment from the contractor and preparing periodic field reports. The architect will assist the owner in making sure that the project is built according to the design intent. The contractor is solely responsible for construction methods, techniques, schedules, and procedures.