The pre-design or Phase “zero” stage marks the initial step in the design process. It starts with a complimentary consultation and may include a site visit to gather essential information about your design preferences, budget, and overall goals.
In case you haven’t decided on a property yet, we can provide assistance with land evaluation and site selection. We can help evaluate properties you are considering and analyze applicable zoning and other design and construction limitations.
Once we have all the necessary information, we’ll develop a design roadmap tailored to your unique needs. This roadmap will outline the specific requirements of your project, including timelines, deliverables, and budget. We will also prepare a design contract for your review to ensure that you understand the scope of work and associated fees before moving forward.
Arguably the most important phase of the design process… This phase involves gathering detailed information about your specific wishes and requirements. Along with quantifiable metrics such as home size and room requirements, we prioritize understanding how you live, use your home’s spaces, and how those spaces impact you.
We’ll discussing the latest construction options and building science innovations, utilizing the best and most suitable materials available to create a home that withstands time and is truly exceptional. Additionally, passive solar design concepts as well as energy generation and storage and water reclamations options are addressed.
Our analysis of your site is thorough, taking into account all its features to truly maximize its potential. We strive to ultimately develop a design that benefits from its setting as much as it compliments its surroundings.
Furthermore, we research all applicable codes, zoning regulations, and any approval and building permit processes.
We will begin the design process by developing initial concept sketches. These sketches will serve as a means to investigate various layout configurations. Our focus will be on evaluating site placement possibilities and the interplay between various spaces within the design.
We will use information provided by the surveyor along with satellite imagery to recreate a 3D model of your site. Having this will help us put the proposed design in greater context as well as help us visualize how it will interact with its surroundings.
We will explore schematic 3D massing models to better visualize the overall design intent. Our primary objective in this phase is to focus on the overall building massing and to examine how different components of the proposed design interact with one another.
Incorporating your feedback, we will iterate on the initial conceptual sketches, gradually refining the chosen design option to represent the design with greater levels of detail and precision.
Additionally, during this phase, we will focus on further developing the exterior design and aesthetics, including preliminary selection of exterior materials and finishes.
During the Design Development Phase, we take the approved design concept and create a detailed 3D model that addresses all aspects of both the exterior and interior design. We will create a fully interactive 3D model complete with walk-throughs to help us communicate all aspects of the proposed design, making it easy for you to visualize and understand the project.
We will prepare a limited drawing set intended for review and for obtaining of preliminary contractor bids.
This set is also suitable for securing preliminary regulatory approvals or bank appraisals for financing purposes.
Furthermore, we’ll use the 3D model to explore how sunlight interacts with the proposed design. We can accurately show where shadows are cast at specific times of days to further fine tune the design to address owner comfort as well as improve on any passive solar design concepts.
We can assist with selection of furnishings or address interior finishes in greater level of detail.
High resolution photo-realistic interior and exterior renderings can be produced to help you better visualize the design in full detail.
We will create fully detailed and documented drawings to provide your builder with all the information they need to bring your dream home to life. Every aspect of the design will be documented, from general design concepts down to the finishing details such as cabinetry layout or lighting plans for example.
In addition to the drawings, we will finalize written general specifications, which will cover everything from the type of materials to be used, to the quality of workmanship required. These specifications will help ensure that everyone involved in the construction of your home is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
We’ll work closely and coordinate with structural engineers and other outside design professionals to compile a complete set of plans that meet all necessary requirements and codes.
We are happy to help you obtain construction bids and can assist with the selection of a builder who will construct your home.
Additionally, we can either assist with, or fully coordinate obtaining all required approvals and building permits.
Our involvement does not end when the construction plans are done. We will be available throughout the construction process to see the project through completion.
We will be on hand to answer any questions you or your builder may have during the construction of your home, or if required, to issue any drawing clarifications.
Site visits and construction inspections may be scheduled to assure your home is being constructed per plans and specifications.
Once your home is completed, it is usually photographed and may be entered into architectural competitions or published in magazines.
We will from time to time follow up with our clients to gather feedback on how the home is performing and meeting their needs.
