![]() ![]() Information from other consultants, like the structural engineer, is developed and coordinated with the design drawings. Window openings are further defined with mullions and opening locations. Materials are decided on and the architects figure out how everything fits together (how does the floor meet the wall: base trim, flush trim, no trim). The drawings are refined in regards to details and methods. The graphics evolve from diagrams to actual architecture at this step. Step 4: Design Development + Permit DocumentsĪs decisions continue to be made, the architects develop the schematic drawings into permit documents. Relationship of functions, massing studies: ![]() Relationship of functions, site considerations, massing studies: An overall design strategy is chosen.Ĭode analysis and envelope possibilities: The homeowner makes decisions with help from the architects regarding the various schematic options. There are typically 2-4 homeowner meetings involved with this step. Material options start to become part of the discussion and a target budget is established/confirmed for the overall project. Simple plans and elevations are produced to represent relationships among spaces and the basic envelope shape (think about it like carving a simple, dumb model out of a block of clay). Features like windows may be added schematically or not at all. The graphics, illustrations and sketches are just diagrams at this stage – it’s not architecture yet. The general locations of the functions within the house are considered and graphically represented in diagram form. How the home is experienced is a focus of this stage. The architects explore the sequence of how you approach the house and move through the house. ![]() Maybe there was a specific site feature that could be enhanced with the new architecture or opportunities within the project not previously discussed. At this stage the architects are also bringing design concepts to the table (the stuff architects learned in school). The architects generate 2-3 preliminary designs incorporating the information from step two. Gathering information with the homeowner(s): The architects also create a work plan to outline what will be done and by when. The architects gather information from state and city agencies regarding specific land use and building code requirements as well as pre-submittal and pre-permit procedures. The architects visit the city/county building department to review applicable records which may include as-built drawings of an existing home previous surveys public records such as previous liens on the property. A surveyor is typically contacted at this stage and scheduled to produce a site survey – this survey is eventually incorporated into the as-built documents. These are simple floor plans and exterior elevations – a minimal set showing what currently exists on site and nothing more. A set of as-built plans are created and a copy is given to the homeowner for their records. The architects visit the site, review the existing conditions and take as-built measurements of what is there (existing home/property). Homeowner goals, needs and requirements are discussed. Step 2: Information gathering + documentation Typically the architects have a portfolio of past projects to review and possibly examples of their process. Sometimes a homeowner just knows who they want to partner with (based on a raving recommendation or a specific design philosophy, etc.) and they skip the interview step. Often a couple of architects are interviewed, the homeowner(s) and the architect(s) figure out if there is a good fit with one another. Step 1: Interview and initial discussions Put ten architects in a room together and you’ll get ten different processes (in addition to a bunch of black turtle necks and acronyms you’ve never heard of). Now take this with a grain of salt – this is just our process, it’s not the right way or the wrong way to design, it’s certainly not the only way. So here goes… the quick and dirty guide to the architectural process. This blog aims to communicate architecture in such a way that it’s more understandable and accessible to people. Given that it takes an average of 6 years to learn the architectural design process in school and another decade to really learn how to implement it in the practice of architecture – the process can be a bit esoteric. What do the different design stages look like graphically? When does the process go from diagram to actual architecture? Why do the graphics look the way they do? How does the imagery evolve and become something you can actually build from and eventually live in?Īll admirable questions and ones that should be better explained by us architects. We’ve received some good questions lately about the process of architecture from the homeowners point of view. ![]()
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