“To create one must first question everything.”
Site Analysis
Site analysis is a crucial early phase of an architectural project that involves a detailed examination of the physical, environmental, legal, and cultural factors affecting a building site. This comprehensive analysis helps architects make informed decisions, ensuring the project is both feasible and sensitive to its context.
Conceptual Design
Conceptual design is the first creative phase in the architectural process, where the foundation of the project is established. During this phase, we work closely with our clients to translate their vision and needs into an initial design concept. It is a critical step that shapes the overall direction of the project by exploring possibilities and setting the architectural tone.
Schematic Design
The schematic design phase is crucial in transforming the early conceptual ideas into a structured and organized plan. It involves refining the building’s layout, form, and systems while considering functionality, aesthetics, client preferences, and budget. By the end of schematic design, the client has a clear understanding of how the building will look and function, setting the stage for the more detailed work in the subsequent phases of design and construction.
Bidding + Negotiation
Bidding and negotiation is the phase where the architect and clients select a contractor and agree on the final cost for the construction. We assist our clients with bid solicitation from potential contractors and reviewing the bids received, comparing prices, qualifications, schedules, and the contractors' understanding of the project, in an effort to select the contractor who offers the best value while ensuring quality and project feasibility
Design Development
Design development is the phase where the initial ideas from the schematic design are further refined and detailed, focusing on both the aesthetics and technical aspects of the project. In this phase, the design team collaborates closely to finalize the building’s form, materials, and systems, ensuring that the design is fully functional, buildable, and aligned with the client’s vision.
Land Use Board Approvals
When a project requires, we will assist our clients in navigating the land use board approval process, ensuring that the project meets local regulations while also aligning with the community’s vision and obtaining the necessary permits for construction. This includes helping facilitate meetings with the community and stakeholders to address concerns, explain the project’s design, and demonstrate how it aligns with local planning goals, as well as presenting the project to the land use board during public hearings
Construction Documentation
Construction documents are the final, detailed drawings and specifications that provide the precise instructions needed for contractors to build the project. This phase transforms the design from the design development stage into a comprehensive set of documents that guide the entire construction process.
Contract Administration
Construction administration is the phase where the architect oversees the construction process to ensure the project is built according to the design, specifications, and quality standards outlined in the construction documents. This is accomplished with regularly scheduled visits the construction site to monitor progress, verify that the work aligns with the design intent, and address any issues that arise, along with responding to Requests for Information (RFIs) when the contractor needs clarification on the construction documents, and reviewing and approving submittals from the contractor, such as shop drawings, material samples, and product data, to confirm they meet the project’s design specifications and standards.
