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DESIGN PROCESS
What to expect in the typical design process:
- To get started with any new home or addition project, the architect
will need a plot plan to locate your house on the property and
to determine zoning requirements and what permit processes must
be started. If the form of the land is complex, a contour survey
will be required. If there are no drawings of the house’s
existing conditions, the architect will measure and draw them
as a basis to start from.
- Then the architect reviews your needs and wants with you and
develops a program. Present your budget as early as possible
so the architect knows the extents from the start.
- After you have determined the program to fulfill, it is best
if the architect creates several schemes. Although it may seem
like unnecessary extra work, frequently at least one of the alternate
schemes uncovers an aspect that could not have been anticipated
otherwise – and often this aspect becomes an important
point of interest in the project or even the home.
- Involve design consultants if desired to bring new light and
broader experience to certain aspects of the project. Bringing
them in early prevents redundant design work. I have a network
of consultants I can recommend.
- Upon selecting a scheme, the more detailed part of the decision-making
process between you, the architect and the design consultants
starts: design development. Now all the materials, fixtures,
appliances and finishes are reviewed, selected and specified.
This includes everything from tub to tile for the bathroom, countertop
to drawer knob in the kitchen and so on. The more complete the
selections are decided, the fewer changes made later and the
greater control of costs later.
- Then the architect prepares contract documents: draws plans,
elevations and details and writes specifications, incorporating
all decisions made. Again, the more thorough and coordinated
the construction documents are, the less costly the changes made
later to add materials or correct decisions.
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