SERVICES
Project Initiation and Planning:
We approach projects by first gaining a full & clear understanding of the project background, goals, needs, scope, budget, and timeframe. We then establish a detailed work plan & schedule and assemble the project design team. This team includes a group of users, owners, and consultants to ensure we meet the specific project needs.
Pre-Design/Programming:
The design team reviews any master planning efforts already completed to offer improvements or suggestions. From there, we start a programming effort to determine the spaces needed in the building being designed and compile information about those spaces—which leads to a knowledge of adjacencies, size of spaces, and other project-specific needs. In addition, we review site requirements, funding requirements, project phasing, etc. to determine overall project needs.
Rendering/Visualization:
Architectural rendering is the process of creating images of your proposed architectural designs. We generate images that represent the building, space, or project, providing visual context through things like color, scale, light and textures. We want you to visualize what your project will look like once it is complete.
Schematic Design:
From the programming information, we piece together schematic floor plans, elevations, and site plans to review in order to ensure the design meets the project needs, goals, & budget. As we develop the plan, we confirm that we are complying with local building codes, zoning ordinances, and other standards put in place by the owner. We also compile an outline specification listing of all the needed components of the building.
Design Development:
Upon approval of the schematic design package, we proceed into design development. At this stage we refine & elaborate on the previous design stage. We methodically address the internal arrangement of each room and space while incorporating additional details such as early plans of MEP (mechanical, electrical, & plumbing) systems, lighting plans, A/V systems, furniture, and equipment. Upon completion of this stage, all components & the scope of the project will be determined.
Construction Documents:
Once the design development phase is completed, we begin creating construction documents. All plans, enlarged plans, details, sections, elevations, schedules, and specifications are provided. During this stage we typically provide 30, 60 and 90 percent reviews & meet with the owner/users after each submittal to ensure that project goals & expectations continue to be met.
Bidding and Negotiations:
During bidding we answer questions from contractors & provide plan updates based on design changes brought about by those questions.
Construction Administration:
Once under construction, we work with the owner & contractor to maintain the schedule, budget, & quality of the project. Scheduled site visits and team meetings ensure that we promptly respond to any issues that arise.
Budget Control and Schedule:
At every stage of the design & documentation process, we compare, to the best of our abilities, the development of the project with known budget expectations & adjust the plans accordingly.
Quality Control:
For each phase, Project Managers perform “red-mark” reviews of all documents, including all documents from consultants, for completeness, accuracy, and coordination. We also utilize the Autodesk tool Revit 2019. This advanced building information modeling program allows us to virtually “build” each building component, including all structural elements and MEP systems. Revit helps spot conflicts & overlaps while assuring completeness and accuracy.