Architecture•Planning•Interiors
Residential Projects
Our residential projects range from small scale additions and remodels to large estates, and account for nearly 60% of our client base. It is a project type that, arguably, is distinguished by the degree of client involvement and participation, both during the design process and post occupancy.
How We Begin
Most projects begin with a desire, “We want a change,” immediately followed by a question, “To what extent?” The response to the statement, and the answer to the question is, in a nutshell, the nature of residential design. Our creative process is guided by the teachings of The Universal Traveler, a systems approach to creativity, problem-solving, and the process of reaching goals. It is characterized by a continual cycle of Acceptance, Analysis, Definition, Ideation, Selection, Implementation, and Evaluation. Our projects are further organized into six phases, based on AIA Standard Contracts: Pre-Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, and Construction Administration.
Pre-Design
Architecture is a collaboration between architects, clients, sites, and municipalities, the result of which is a building that remains long after the collaboration is over. Our primary job in this phase is to learn— learn about the client’s desires, sensibilities, and patterns of living; learn about the site, topography, and environment that envelopes the site. It is also a process of analysis and definition— analyzing jurisdictional codes and regulations as they apply to the project; and ultimately defining our understanding of this gathered information into a cohesive written Program which will, if successful, clearly establish a problem the answer to which will be an architectural solution.
Schematic Design
Once the problem is clearly defined, the solutions and options can be developed and accumulated in rough graphic and spacial form, usually as sketches, diagrams, or thumbnail computer models. It is in this phase that our time spent with the client is most important, as their participation in the process is paramount to the success of the end result. The ultimate goal is a singular solution, or concept, that sets the tone and character for the project, establishes the scale and location of primary elements, identifies primary materials and methods of construction, and outlines areas requiring further development. In Schematic Design we prepare drawings, usually plans, sections, and elevations, that are the basic communication tools of design professionals and contractors; we have found, however, that the addition of perspectives and computer modeling is an indispensable tool for visual communication with clients. This phase usually closes with an evaluation against the original Program, and a volume-based evaluation of likely construction cost.
Design Development
Using the Schematic Design documents as a starting point, we carry the design into further specificity in a process we call Design Development. Working with the client, greater detail and accuracy is expressed in the base plans, sections, and elevations, in terms of building shell, openings, size and scale, and materials. We begin to explore the interior spaces, usually in rough computer interior elevations. Preliminary details are sketched and discussed, Schedules are outlined, as are Specifications and General Notes. The building is further analyzed as a system, in terms of structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and evaluate the entire Phase relative to the original Schematic Design and the Program. At this phase, a more detailed evaluation of likely construction costs can be achieved, this time on the basis of labor and material. As with Schematic Design, our reliance on plans, sections, elevations, details, and schedules—tools of the design profession and contractors—can be augmented with our use of perspectives and computer modeling, now with more detail, accuracy, and realism to assist in visual communication with the client.
Construction Documents
In simplistic terms, the primary role of the architect is to assist the client in developing a contract for construction, drawings and specifications for which are based on the work outlined in the previous phase. Construction Documents is the phase in which requirements are set forth and specified in detail for the construction of the project, and for the review and approval by the client and jurisdictional agencies. A standard set of documents includes plans, sections, elevations, details, schedules, specifications, and general notes and requirements. These documents, along with the contract for construction and the project general requirements, create a complete contract for construction between owner and contractor, and establish duties and relationships for each party to the contract.
Our residential projects range from small scale additions and remodels to large estates, and account for nearly 60% of our client base. It is a project type that, arguably, is distinguished by the degree of client involvement and participation, both during the design process and post occupancy.
How We Begin
Pre-Design
Architecture is a collaboration between architects, clients, sites, and municipalities, the result of which is a building that remains long after the collaboration is over. Our primary job in this phase is to learn— learn about the client’s desires, sensibilities, and patterns of living; learn about the site, topography, and environment that envelopes the site. It is also a process of analysis and definition— analyzing jurisdictional codes and regulations as they apply to the project; and ultimately defining our understanding of this gathered information into a cohesive written Program which will, if successful, clearly establish a problem the answer to which will be an architectural solution.
Schematic Design
Once the problem is clearly defined, the solutions and options can be developed and accumulated in rough graphic and spacial form, usually as sketches, diagrams, or thumbnail computer models. It is in this phase that our time spent with the client is most important, as their participation in the process is paramount to the success of the end result. The ultimate goal is a singular solution, or concept, that sets the tone and character for the project, establishes the scale and location of primary elements, identifies primary materials and methods of construction, and outlines areas requiring further development. In Schematic Design we prepare drawings, usually plans, sections, and elevations, that are the basic communication tools of design professionals and contractors; we have found, however, that the addition of perspectives and computer modeling is an indispensable tool for visual communication with clients. This phase usually closes with an evaluation against the original Program, and a volume-based evaluation of likely construction cost.
Design Development
Using the Schematic Design documents as a starting point, we carry the design into further specificity in a process we call Design Development. Working with the client, greater detail and accuracy is expressed in the base plans, sections, and elevations, in terms of building shell, openings, size and scale, and materials. We begin to explore the interior spaces, usually in rough computer interior elevations. Preliminary details are sketched and discussed, Schedules are outlined, as are Specifications and General Notes. The building is further analyzed as a system, in terms of structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and evaluate the entire Phase relative to the original Schematic Design and the Program. At this phase, a more detailed evaluation of likely construction costs can be achieved, this time on the basis of labor and material. As with Schematic Design, our reliance on plans, sections, elevations, details, and schedules—tools of the design profession and contractors—can be augmented with our use of perspectives and computer modeling, now with more detail, accuracy, and realism to assist in visual communication with the client.
Construction Documents
In simplistic terms, the primary role of the architect is to assist the client in developing a contract for construction, drawings and specifications for which are based on the work outlined in the previous phase. Construction Documents is the phase in which requirements are set forth and specified in detail for the construction of the project, and for the review and approval by the client and jurisdictional agencies. A standard set of documents includes plans, sections, elevations, details, schedules, specifications, and general notes and requirements. These documents, along with the contract for construction and the project general requirements, create a complete contract for construction between owner and contractor, and establish duties and relationships for each party to the contract.