We begin with an initial consultation meeting in order to define the scope of the project: style, desired rooms, square footage needs or limits, budget, schedule and site parameters. The meeting will generally result in a proposal for design services. Once we have come to an agreement to work together, the fun begins.

Whether it is a new construction home or a renovation/addition to an existing home, the design process is typically split into three phases:

Schematic Design

Particularly for new construction projects, site considerations such as topography, views, solar orientation, prevailing winds and lot size within the setbacks are all important features that guide the design. Commonly, conceptual 3D site plans are created with boxy depictions of the house to help us visualize the choices we have for the preferred positioning.  

Renovation/addition projects begin with pulling measurements of the existing conditions of the home so that we can create “As-built” drawings from which to alter and expand the home to the desired end. 

Using your wish-list of ideas and images together with the desired size and scope of the build, floor plans that locate rooms and flow patterns are created for your initial review. Next, 3D software is used to pull the plans up to begin to show the scale, massing and fit on the site. 3D views can help us see the home on the outside, as well as what our choices imply on the inside. We work in this phase until you are satisfied with the design concept. If a landscape architect will be employed for the project, they will be brought into the collaborative process during the schematic design phase.

Design Development 

Here we take the schematic drawings and develop them with more detailed floor plans, foundation plan, roof plan, electrical plan and elevations in 2D, as well as 3D views that include materials, colors and enough construction details to tell the story of the build. A preliminary pricing set is created so that your builder can make sure the design is safely within your desired budget. These plans can be used either for competitive bidding or by a pre-selected builder. The relationship with the builder is a very important part of the collaborative process and will ensure that the balance between desires and budget are met. This is also the stage of the process when the plans are submitted to any necessary neighborhood architectural review committees.

Construction Documents 

When all preliminary reviews are completed, and any revisions made, the plans will be fully developed with all the required detail drawings, sections, and notes needed to receive a building permit from the appropriate municipality, as well as for construction. The builder will be responsible for any needed structural engineering as well as heating and air conditioning and ventilation systems, plumbing, electrical, gas, energy calculations and the coordination of all final materials and fixture selections.