How The Process Works

The first thing many of my residential clients ask me when I hear from them is “How does this work? I’ve never worked with an architect before.” This is a perfectly natural and normal question to ask. I’ll attempt to summarize the process here. For every project, there will be an initial meeting. This could be at my office, or at the site, because the site is going to be one of the big factors in the eventual design. This meeting is always important because I can get to know you, and I can listen to what you are telling me that you need. I am listening because I am trying to gather a sense of what the goals of the project are, practically, and what the feel of the project needs to be, emotionally. It is also a time to answer any questions the you may have.

Program

There are three parts to the design recipe:

1. The client’s program. This is a compilation of all of the client’s thoughts and dreams for their project. These can be in the form of pictures, drawings, notes, lists, poems, etc. Anything that they have that might convey their desires for the project. I may condense these down to a written list or description.
2. The site. Whether the project is an addition or a new residence, the site is going to play a big part in the design. Site influences can include views, slopes, wind and sun effects, lakes or streams, noise from traffic, etc.
3. The architect’s contribution. It is my job to take the first two parts and mix them in with my own inspiration, to create something unique; something that will not only solve the problems in a practical way, but that will provide a satisfying emotional solution as well. This is the intangible art of architecture.

Proposal

When you are ready after this initial meeting or meetings, I will prepare a written proposal. This will contain all of the program requirements we have discussed. It will also contain a description of the particular process for that project, the schedule, proposed fees, and everything else you need to know in order to have a clear understanding of what’s to come going forward. The proposal is not set in stone. You may have questions or wish to revise some portion of it. All of this is part of the process. Once there is a consensus, we can sign and begin the design.

Design and Construction

The design process is different for a small addition versus a completely new residence. The particulars will be spelled out case by case and in the proposal. In a nutshell though, each project follows a pathway from the general to the specific; from freehand sketches to drafted development of the design, and then, when most of it has been developed, to construction drawings. Complete construction drawings are very important to fully develop the details of the design and really make it “snap”. They are also critical for communicating the design to the builder.

Construction Administration

During construction, questions will inevitably arise. This is particularly true of additions to existing structures. No set of drawings is going to have every detail worked out, no matter how complete they are. The only place to find the solutions to these that follow the design intent is in the mind of the architect. That is why it is important to keep me involved during the construction of the project. This will involve some cost, but the total is small, especially when compared to the benefits to you, the user of the design, in the end.

Come see me, and let’s talk!