What We Do
Architectural Services:
Feasibility Studies: Feasibility studies help a client understand the scope and cost of a project with little time or cost involved. By completing a few 'quick' designs and sketches, and by having an experienced contractor provide preliminary cost estimates, a client can determine whether or not to proceed to the next step.
Site Selection: Site selection is an important step in the design process. Appropriate site selection can help to create a community presence, maximize views, and can even lower heating and cooling costs.
Programming: During programming, I meet with the client to fully understand their needs and expectations. This is a very important process, it is the 'foundation' of any successful building project. You must know the whole question before any answer can be given. I am a firm believer in completing the programming phase before beginning the graphic design solution process.
Master Planning: Master planning is realizing the clients' final goal. During master planning, I translate the programming information to a visual format, by designing the site plan, floor plan, exterior elevations and sometimes a model. This phase is more conceptual than the design process, and is usually intended to locate the general spaces, or massing, of the project. Only after realizing the total scope of a project within its parameters, can one begin a responsible design process.
Design: Design is taking all of the clients needs, desires and limitations, and converting them into a pleasing, responsible and affordable building format. This process can only be successful if the programming and master planning phases of the project are thorough, and for the most part complete. This phase of the project is where the 'building' takes a realistic shape, usually through the use of sketches and study models, until an appropriate and pleasing solution is realized and agreed upon.
Construction Documentation: Construction documentation is the transformation of all of the design ideas into a useable set of working drawings, or construction documents. The project is constructed from these drawings, so extra care will be taken to make them as clear and as accurate as possible. A thorough knowledge of building components, as well as materials and methods of construction, is required to successfully complete this aspect of the building process.
Bidding and Negotiation: The bidding and negotiation process involves: distribution of bidding invitations, bidding instructions, providing sets of drawings to contractors, answering questions, receiving bids, reviewing bids with the owner, and helping the owner to select the appropriate contractor.
Construction Administration: The construction administration phase runs concurrent with the actual building construction process. Working closely with the owner and contractor during this phase is essential to the accurate and timely completion of the building process. Being able to answer questions and resolve problems in a timely and honest manner, directly reflects the Architect's knowledge of the building process, as well as knowledge and care for both the client and the contractor.
Code Review: Documenting the existing facility as needed in order to obtain a permit: site visits, code review, talking with fire marshals and building code reviewers at the city, etc...