Process

As part of a full-service design process, we are experienced in guiding clients through the design and construction of their project from beginning to end. Not all projects are the same, but those that are the most successful and enjoyable look a lot like this:

Pre-Design

Think of this like a first date. It’s a fantastic, no strings opportunity to see if we would be a good fit for your project. We usually meet at the project site and talk about goals and ideas, and we do a lot of sketching and gesturing with our hands. At the end of a couple of hours, we usually have some really promising ideas, and you have an idea if you would like to hire us. If you would, then…

If there is an existing house that we are adding on to or renovating, we come back out and measure and photograph it. We take those back and draw up the existing spaces on the computer, as well as conduct a first round of zoning and code research as it pertains to your project.  After a few weeks, we meet again, with the accurate drawings in hand and review the ideas we had at the consultation.

Schematic Design

A great design process explores multiple options early and often. We like to present 2-3 schemes for clients to review at this initial design phase. Typical presentation tools are plan and elevation drawings, and sometimes 3d models or sketches.  We usually pull ideas from all the schemes and refine them to one preferred scheme as we move forward into Design Development…

Design Development

Here is where the rubber meets the road! We take our preferred scheme and explore it in more drawings and details. This is also a good time for us to start to delineate materials and other selections that affect cost, and obtain some preliminary pricing from local builders. Once a builder is selected, we like to have them on board and a part of the process so we can take full advantage of their expertise!

Construction Documents

We continue to meet and refine the project with a close eye on budget and timing. This is also the phase where we create all the drawings needed for a thorough and complete project. We will review things like ceiling plans, interior elevations and more detail drawings. In addition, continue to nail down selections like appliances, tile, countertops and more! The proper information and detail is included for your builder to obtain a building permit and we are ready for the sawdust to fly!

Construction Administration

Easily the most overlooked, and perhaps the most important part of the process! All the planning and design in the world don’t mean much if you don’t follow through on them. During construction, we meet on a regular or semi-regular basis to review construction, and continue to make and refine selections. We review shop drawings from fabricators on all sorts of things from roof trusses, to windows, cabinets, and everything in between.  We take every opportunity to refine and perfect your space so that when it comes time to move in, it truly is more than you could have imagined!