Design Process
STEP 1
UNDERSTANDING YOUR VISION
Every project begins with a conversation.
We take the time to understand your goals, your lifestyle, the character of your property, and the qualities you envision for your home. Together, we establish the project's scope, identify the spaces and activities the home must accommodate, and consider the unique opportunities and challenges of the site.
Just as important are the aspirations behind the project—the way you want your home to feel, the experiences you hope it will create, and the way you envision living in it.
This initial understanding becomes the foundation for every design decision that follows.
STEP 2
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Establishing the Vision
Schematic Design transforms the ideas established during our initial conversations into a clear architectural vision.
At this stage, we explore the relationship between the home, the site, and the way the spaces will function and feel. We consider proportion, scale, circulation, natural light, views, and the connections between interior and exterior spaces.
The goal is to establish a design that is both beautiful and purposeful—one that reflects your vision while responding thoughtfully to the opportunities of the property.
Schematic Design typically includes:
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Site plan
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Floor plans for each level
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Exterior elevations
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Key building sections
These drawings allow you to clearly understand the character and organization of the proposed home before moving into the next stage of development.
STEP 3
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Refining the Details
With the overall direction established, the design begins to take on greater definition and character.
We refine the proportions, materials, architectural elements, interior relationships, and other details that give the home its individual identity.
We also include the contractor in these conversations, allowing us to consider both the architectural design and project budget as the design develops. This helps ensure the final design is both thoughtfully resolved and practical to build.
Design Development typically includes:
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Electrical plans for each level
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Interior cabinet elevations
The result is a more complete and cohesive expression of the architecture, establishing the foundation for the detailed construction documents that follow.
STEP 4
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Bringing the Design to Life
Once the design has been developed and approved, we translate the architectural vision into a comprehensive set of construction documents.
These drawings provide the detailed information necessary to communicate the design clearly to the contractor and the professionals involved in bringing the project to life.
Construction documents define the materials, dimensions, assemblies, and architectural requirements of the project. They also provide the documentation necessary for permitting and construction.
Our goal is to ensure that the care and thought invested in the design are carried through into the details of construction.
Construction Documents typically include:
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Roof plans
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Window and door schedules
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Fully dimensioned floor plans
STEP 5
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Integrating Structure and Design
Great architecture depends upon the thoughtful integration of structure and design.
We coordinate with the structural engineer to develop a structural system that supports the architectural vision while responding to the specific requirements of the site and the building.
Structural engineering addresses the framing, foundations, loads, connections, and other elements necessary for the home to perform safely and effectively.
By coordinating the architectural and structural design, we work toward a cohesive set of documents in which the beauty, function, and integrity of the home work together.
The result is a more complete and coordinated project, ready to move confidently toward construction.
