Process

Strategy Phase

Initial meeting via phone, Skype and/or in person. May include a visit to the property. Information is gathered from you about your preferences, budget and preferred style and type of home.

1. Complimentary Consultation

Land acquisition and evaluation is the first step, if you haven’t already secured a property. We can help you with land analysis of properties that you may be considering and help figure out which best fits your needs and what limitations and restrictions may affect the design - such as slope, zoning, protected trees, allowable impervious cover, and allowable height.

2. Property Selection

A unique Roadmap is created by us for you at no cost. This outlines the various steps of the design and construction process and gives an estimate of the construction costs as well as the estimated timeline, professional fees and any other important components, based on similar projects to yours.

3. Roadmap

Next we discuss financing options with the Client. We can refer you to mortgage brokers who specialize in construction financing as well as permanent financing, who can educate you about your options. In some cases it may be possible to take out a low-cost loan against your current home (called a HELOC) to finance the architectural design process.

4. Financing Options

The architectural contract is presented and explained to the Client. A small downpayment is made at the signing of the contract.

5. Contract

Strategy Phase

Initial meeting via phone, Skype and/or in persoContractn. May include a visit to the property. Information is gathered from you about your preferences, budget and preferred style and type of home.

Land acquisition and evaluation is the first step, if you haven’t already secured a property. We can help you with land analysis of properties that you may be considering and help figure out which best fits your needs and what limitations and restrictions may affect the design - such as slope, zoning, protected trees, allowable impervious cover, and allowable height.

A unique Roadmap is created by us for you at no cost. This outlines the various steps of the design and construction process and gives an estimate of the construction costs as well as the estimated timeline, professional fees and any other important components, based on similar projects to yours.

Next we discuss financing options with the Client. We can refer you to mortgage brokers who specialize in construction financing as well as permanent financing, who can educate you about your options. In some cases it may be possible to take out a low-cost loan against your current home (called a HELOC) to finance the architectural design process.

The architectural contract is presented and explained to the Client. A small downpayment is made at the signing of the contract.

Design Phase

Construction Documents

This consists of detailed information gathering from he client and may include images torn from magazines or idea books from houzz.com or pinterest.com. Our experience has enabled us to quickly hone in on the unique “vibe” that each client possesses.

1. Pre-design

This phase usually involves hand-sketching and basic massing models on a topographical survey of the property. We develop one or more iterations which seek to best express the Client’s goals in Pre-design. We begin creating 3-d models very early on and can manipulate those models with the client in real time via in-person or online meetings. The model is geolocated so we can see what the sun angle will be on your home at any time of any day of any year.

2. Schematic Design

Features such as high-efficiency HVAC systems, rainwater collection, geothermal or passive and active solar systems and energy storage systems are discussed and possibly implemented if you so wish.

3. Green Building Features

Based on the approved Schematic Design we flesh-out the design and begin to refine the layout and develop a palette of materials. We show the design to prospective builders for a preliminary cost estimate and speak with the Structural and Mechanical engineers to determine the most efficient and appropriate structural system. The final model of your home becomes more detailed and interior elements such as cabinetry and lighting are considered.

4. Design Development

Photo-realistic renders of the interior and exterior of the approved design are presented to you. This gives you a clear understanding of what the completed home will look like

5. Renders

The Construction Documents are the drawings that the builder will need to accurately construct the home and provide a final cost estimate. They consist of the Architect's drawings, combined with the final drawings by the Structural Engineer, Mechanical Engineer and Septic Engineer. The Construction Documents are also needed for obtaining a Construction Permit from the city and appraisal by your bank if you are financing.

6. Construction Documents

Design Phase

This consists of detailed information gathering from he client and may include images torn from magazines or idea books from houzz.com or pinterest.com. Our experience has enabled us to quickly hone in on the unique “vibe” that each client possesses.

This phase usually involves hand-sketching and basic massing models on a topographical survey of the property. We develop one or more iterations which seek to best express the Client’s goals in Pre-design. We begin creating 3-d models very early on and can manipulate those models with the client in real time via in-person or online meetings. The model is geolocated so we can see what the sun angle will be on your home at any time of any day of any year.

Features such as high-efficiency HVAC systems, rainwater collection, geothermal or passive and active solar systems and energy storage systems are discussed and possibly implemented if you so wish.

Based on the approved Schematic Design we flesh-out the design and begin to refine the layout and develop a palette of materials. We show the design to prospective builders for a preliminary cost estimate and speak with the Structural and Mechanical engineers to determine the most efficient and appropriate structural system. The final model of your home becomes more detailed and interior elements such as cabinetry and lighting are considered.

Photo-realistic renders of the interior and exterior of the approved design are presented to you. This gives you a clear understanding of what the completed home will look like

The Construction Documents are the drawings that the builder will need to accurately construct the home and provide a final cost estimate. They consist of the Archtiect’s drawings, combined with the final drawings by the Structural Engineer, Mechanical Engineer and Septic Engineer. The Construction Documents are also needed for obtaining a Construction Permit from the city and appraisal by your bank if you are financing.

Build Phase

The builder is formally engaged and contract with the builder is signed. We review your contract with your builder and refer you to a real-estate attorney if you desire.

1. Builder

Once the permit is received the builder begins constructing your home. Many of the builders we work with use an online Client interface program called Co-construct, which allows real-time communication between the builder, architect and client, as well as tracking budget and timeline

2. Ground-Breaking

Final selection of your interior finishes, appliances and plumbing and lighting fixtures. This is sometimes done with our in-house interior designer or sometimes by an outside designer

3. Interior Design

The Architect visits the site to verify that the home is being built to plans and specs. We often write field-reports after these visits. A particular area of concern is proper waterproofing and flashing so the house is water-tight. We sometimes bring in an outside waterproofing consultant for product recommendations.

4. Architect Site Visits

The city inspectors, bank inspectors and third party inspectors will all typically make visits to certify that the home is being built correctly.

5. Inspections

Build Phase

The builder is formally engaged and contract with the builder is signed. We review your contract with your builder and refer you to a real-estate attorney if you desire.

Once the permit is received the builder begins constructing your home. Many of the builders we work with use an online Client interface program called Co-construct, which allows real-time communication between the builder, architect and client, as well as tracking budget and timeline

Final selection of your interior finishes, appliances and plumbing and lighting fixtures. This is sometimes done with our in-house interior designer or sometimes by an outside designer

The Architect visits the site to verify that the home is being built to plans and specs. We often write field-reports after these visits. A particular area of concern is proper waterproofing and flashing so the house is water-tight. We sometimes bring in an outside waterproofing consultant for product recommendations.

The city inspectors, bank inspectors and third party inspectors will all typically make visits to certify that the home is being built correctly.

Launch Phase

Landscape design is finalized and installed. Landscape is often irrigated by a rainwater harvesting system.

1. Landscaping

At the end of the build there is a final walk-through with you to determine any punch-list items. Once those items are fixed you get to move in and celebrate!

2. Final Walk-Through and Completion

We periodically follow up with our clients to make sure they are satisfied and ensure that the home is performing as intended. Usually the home is photographed and can be published in magazines or entered into architectural competitions.

3. Follow-up

Launch Phase

Landscape design is finalized and installed. Landscape is often irrigated by a rainwater harvesting system.

At the end of the build there is a final walk-through with you to determine any punch-list items. Once those items are fixed you get to move in and celebrate!

We periodically follow up with our clients to make sure they are satisfied and ensure that the home is performing as intended. Usually the home is photographed and can be published in magazines or entered into architectural competitions.

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