Our services.

Our goal is to provide clients with thoughtfully designed, on time projects, with realistic budgets. With this in mind, each project that comes into the office is approached with the same rigorous course of action that has proved a successful formula time and again. The following is an overview of our process.

• Initial Programming
  
  Perhaps the most important stage of the process, this is our initial consultation where we sit with the client and discuss the overall objectives of the project. In broad strokes we want to understand the functional needs, the dreams and goals, the general aesthetic aspirations, and a projected budget among other things in order to make a project that is personal and realistic.

• Site Visit/Documentation
  
  

  Following the programming we will make a site visit to measure and photograph, which will ultimately lead to making an accurate drawing of the existing conditions.

  Additionally, we conduct a zoning analysis during this phase to determine what local regulations will allow for on the particular site.

• Schematic Design
  
  It is during this phase that we produce conceptual sketches that establish the scale of a project, how it relates to the site, how it is approached and entered, adjacencies of spaces within, and general overall exterior design. Sometimes a model may be made to further the understanding of the intentions at this point. Schematic Design is a very hands on phase for the client as we hold a frequent dialogue in order to refine concepts.

• Design Development
  
  Upon client approval,of the schematic design we will craft drafted to-scale drawings that will illustrate the project as it would look when it's constructed. These drawings will very specifically define the site plan, floor plans and exterior elevations. It is important that the client provide input to the architect at this time as the design development drawings are used as the basis for the construction drawings and preliminary cost estimates.

• Construction Documents
  
  Based on owner-approved design development drawings, construction drawings are prepared. Construction Documents provide the client with sufficient information to secure contractor bids and obtain the required permits. The construction drawings are all necessary if the client hopes to have the contractor build the project as it has been conceived by the owner and architect. Without the drawings listed above, the contractor's bid may be based solely on the owner's vision of the finished structure.

• Bidding and Negotiation
  
  Although this phase is a small percentage of the overall architect fee it can save the owner a great deal of frustration and expense. Typically the architect can ask the right questions with regards to the contractor's project bids. It is very important to determine if the contractor has forgotten or overlooked anything on the construction drawings. If this occurs, the contractor will undoubtedly ask for more money when the project is underway and the owner has already signed a construction contract.

• Construction Review
  
  This phase seems to be the most common phase to omit the architect's involvement, which is unfortunate since it is very difficult for the client to detect deviations from the original construction drawings until it is too late. However, if a qualified contractor has been retained then one should expect the project to proceed as specified in the construction drawings.