Programming is the technical term we use for the first step in the design process. This phase is basically comprised of getting to know you so that we are better equipped to create a home that will meet your specific needs and make your dreams become a reality. We can provide you with a design survey that will help you organize your priorities and list your ideas. We will explore:
- Your current living conditions
- Your needs
- Your hopes and dreams
- Your reality, AKA—the budget
Programming is the technical term we use for the first step in the design process. This phase is basically comprised of getting to know you so that we are better equipped to create a home that will meet your specific needs and make your dreams become a reality. We can provide you with a design survey that will help you organize your priorities and list your ideas. We will explore:
- Your current living conditions
- Your needs
- Your hopes and dreams
- Your reality, AKA—the budget
Site analysis is where we begin to explore the possibilities and restrictions of you property. Having a survey of your property already performing prior to this phase is highly beneficial for accuracy and planning. Some areas we will get familiar with are:
- Zoning laws and property setbacks
- Neighboring properties and context
- Solar orientation and prevailing winds
- Major and minor views
- Topography
- Public and private spaces
- Trees and shading
Schematic design is always a fun time in the design process. This is where you will begin to visualize your desires.
- Preliminary sketches— site plan, floor plans and exterior elevations
- Exterior and interior material options begin to be explored
- Schematic cad plans and elevations
- Zoning board submittals, if required
- Preliminary estimate from a local builder
Schematic design is always a fun time in the design process. This is where you will begin to visualize your desires.
- Preliminary sketches— site plan, floor plans and exterior elevations
- Exterior and interior material options begin to be explored
- Schematic cad plans and elevations
- Zoning board submittals, if required
- Preliminary estimate from a local builder
Construction documentation is the phase in which we pull together all of the information from the previous phases and create the official drawings and highlight details that the builder will use construct your home. You will see:
- Construction documents (foundation plan, floor plans, structural framing plans, roof plan, exterior elevations and details, building sections, wall sections, interior details, schematics for electrical)
- Specifications of materials
- Details of how your home will be constructed bidding and negotiations begin when we have a set of constructed documents that are complete. This will enable the potential builders to more accurately assess the cost of your home.
- Meeting with you and your selected builder(s)
- Organizing and comparing the bid with you
- Helping you finalize your builder selection (if you haven’t done this already in the beginning)
Construction observation is the materialization of all the previous phases, where you can walk through, see, and feel your new home while it is being constructed. This is an exciting time, and we are available to help as much as you would like us to. Some tasks performed during this phase include: assisting with construction budgeting and allowances, further detailing of design ideas, and reviewing change orders for sensibilities of quantities and cost.
It’s a lot more fun when you can sit back, watch the progress, and let someone else answer the contractor’s question for you. Our goal is to know you, your family and your dreams so well by this point in the process that we can step in and take on the mediator role for you. Soon, your life in your new home will begin!
Construction observation is the materialization of all the previous phases, where you can walk through, see, and feel your new home while it is being constructed. This is an exciting time, and we are available to help as much as you would like us to. Some tasks performed during this phase include: assisting with construction budgeting and allowances, further detailing of design ideas, and reviewing change orders for sensibilities of quantities and cost.
It’s a lot more fun when you can sit back, watch the progress, and let someone else answer the contractor’s question for you. Our goal is to know you, your family and your dreams so well by this point in the process that we can step in and take on the mediator role for you. Soon, your life in your new home will begin!
Take your time! Like most projects in life, if you race through it, the level of quality and creativity your home has the potential to attain is lowered. Think of racing through the design process like running too fast at high altitude: it is much less enjoyable, you will run out of steam very quickly, and it takes a lot more effort to get back home. (Oh, and you might trip and hurt yourself, as well) We tend to view the design process with a more creative and personal flavor when adequate time is taken to make sure all bases are covered. Here’s another perk: we will get to know you really well and will be better able to assist you throughout your “homeward” journey.