The Process
Achieving the ultimate goal is a multi-step process, involving the client at every step. Following is a brief look at our process:

  1. Initial or introductory meeting -  preferably in person, to get to know each other a bit. The client finds out who we are and what we have done while we can familiarize ourselves with those “dreams’ or ideas the clients have for the project.
  2. Conceptual  design - working out a direction to take for the design. That is, taking the clients wish list or notes to rough out several varying design options. This is usually done with very rough conceptual sketches that may be nothing more than ‘bubble’ diagrams, so that orientation and relationship of spaces are worked out without the constraints of ‘detail’- thinking.
  3. Preliminary design – Usually at the second meeting the conceptual sketches are reviewed, revised and new ideas tried out. The goal of this meeting should be to sort out the ideas so that a more defined design can be put together- that is, design that is recognizable as a floor plan(s). At this stage exterior elevations/views may not necessarily be explored because we feel that the plan or relationship of spaces should be well established before the exteriors or style are considered in detail.
  4. Final Design – At this stage, the preliminary plans are usually reviewed and revised again, exterior elevation and detail options considered and ‘tried on’ and a final design package put together including site plan, floor plan(s), elevations, and sometimes, sketches attached for the details and “look”. Once the client has reviewed this final design and appropriate last refinements made we are ready to execute the:
  5. Construction Drawings – These are the final drawings for pricing, building permit and construction (sometimes still referred to as ‘blueprints’).  Although we normally suggest to residential clients that a basic or ‘permit-level’ set of drawings is all that is required for home construction, sometimes more detail, basic specifications and some supervision or inspection may be advisable.