Before engaging architectural services a preliminary meeting, typically at the
site of your project, is an opportunity for an introductory get-together so you
can begin to understand the process of hiring an architect and I can begin to appreciate what you are looking to accomplish. If you wish to move forward,
I will prepare a proposal for your review and approval. There is no charge
for this meeting.

Architectural: Unless the project is a new house, the next step is to undertake detailed measurements of the existing building. From that information, floor plans, exterior drawings, and building sections are generated to document the existing conditions. Those drawings will be used as the basis for the subsequent phases of design.

 

Civil Engineering/Survey:  Any project that involves new construction or an addition and/or other changes to the exterior of the existing building will require the services of a civil engineer or surveyor to prepare a Certified Plot Plan. Their first step, an existing conditions plan, shows the Owner's property and the location of the existing building or buildings, if any.  After the final design solution is resolved, the existing conditions drawing is revised to show the proposed work.  The revised Certified Plot Plan is included with the Construction Documents for submittal to the local building inspection department. It will demonstrate that the proposed work is in conformance with the local zoning by-laws.

 

The initial phase of the design process is referred to as Schematic Design. It is essentially the arrangement of the major pieces of the project and how they
relate to each other. I begin to look at the implications of your ideas and their relationships to adjacent spaces, massing, and proportions. This process could possibly involve several alternate schemes being developed concurrently or a sequentially evolving scheme that focuses in on the desired solution. During this phase I will review the existing conditions site plan drawing prepared by the surveyor as well as the local zoning by-laws to verify that the proposed work will be in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations.

 

The impact of the evolving design on the preliminary construction budget will be examined throughout this phase as well. I will produce new floor plans and whatever appropriate exterior drawings are necessary to communicate to you what the new work will look like. There may be several iterations until a satisfactory solution is achieved. Upon completion of this phase a basic design solution will have been achieved.

 

The next phase of design is referred to as Design Development and is essentially one of clarification and refinement. We will work together to make decisions regarding the overall appearance of the building including such details such as: doors and windows, finishes, plumbing, mechanical systems, lighting, etc. 
If necessary, the floor plans and exterior drawings will be revised. Again, if needed, I will produce interior elevations and/or other details as required to explain the design intent. The services of the structural engineer and/or other consultants will be included in this phase of the design. The preliminary construction budget will be refined as well. Upon completion of this phase the project should be very close to a definitive design solution.

The final phase of the design process involves the production of the drawings intended to communicate to the contractor and the local building officials what will actually be built. This process could involve further, minor refinements of the design. If required, the structural engineer and/or other consultants will also refine their specific areas of the project. Floor plans, exterior elevations and building sections will be refined to show exact components and how they go together.  Upon completion of this phase there will be a complete set of documents as required to obtain a building permit and commence construction.

The scope of this phase of services can be as extensive (or as modest) as you determine to be appropriate. The types of service within this phase are as follows:

• Assisting with your review of proposals from the potential contractors and
   negotiation of the contract for construction;

• Once actual construction begins, I can make site visits regularly or as the

   progress warrants to verify that the work is being done in compliance with the

   Construction Documents and the applicable building codes;

• Advise you about the construction schedule as it relates to certain decisions you

   will have to make regarding such items as finishes, cabinets, fixtures, etc. in

   order to keep the progress of the project on track;

• Advise you regarding the extent of completed work for the purpose of making

   appropriate payments to the contractor;

• Upon substantial completion of the project, I can prepare a final punch list of

   uncompleted work to assure that all required work is completed before making

   final payment to the contractor.