Our Services to You |
Frequently Asked Questions |
The first thing we need to do is to meet with you for approximately one hour to understand your needs whatever they are. Sometimes you will have a good idea what you want. We'll listen to your ideas, and chances are, your idea will be considered a launch point for design. You may not have thought of everything, but that's OK. That's why we're here to help.
From our first meeting, we will have defined the nature of the project you wish to pursue. We will then draft up a contract that will lay out our scope of work for you, the terms of our working relationship, the costs for our basic scope of work, a cost for additional work items if required, and an estimate of the time to produce our work. Once you approve our contract, then the work will commence. We start creating a rough draft of the design documents, termed the Schematic Design. Here, we have spaces established, and the forms that define them sculpted. In this phase, space adjacencies are mapped, square footages are established, and site coverage issues are solved. In this phase you should see the essence of the Architecture. Materiality and finish selection will come next. Once you have approved the Schematic Design, we move onto the Design Development and bridge into the Construction Documents phase. Often times these two phases run together as one. At this time, we aid you in your selection of interior finishes. We look at the psychology of the space, and the way the selection of colors and textures makes people feel. In retail or restaurant work, this aspect alone can make or break a business, as patrons respond to the design ambiance of a space. We also look at furniture , and functionality in terms of how all the elements fit together. At the end of this stage you will pay the fee for review by the Planning Department in your City or County. With the drawings and specifications completed, the fee for the Building Department is required, and the drawing package is then routed through the various building department reviewers. They will usually have comments about the design, and we will revise the drawings in response to those comments. With the revision that we create and submit to the City or County, the building permit for the project will readily be acquired. Our range of services
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What does an architect really do?
When anyone mentions that they work in the field of architecture, they tend to be asked if they've designed a skyscraper, fancy mansions or something on a huge scale and more often than not, the architect will say no. Many architects work on a much smaller scale that can range from bedroom additions up to a public library. Much of the built environment around you at some point or another has been designed by an architect. Not all architecture work is sitting at a desk drafting. We will work on the smallest details to figuring out layouts of space. We also have to go out into the field to do measurements, work with engineers, contractors and meet with clients on a daily basis to ensure that our clients receive the final product they want. Why should I hire an Architect? When you undergo a home renovation by yourself and suddenly, something doesn't turn out the way you want, you'll wish you had an architect from the start. Working with an architect takes the stress of having to figure out the majority little details that easily could have been overlooked as well as organizing and dealing with contractors all while listening to your needs. Architects when they undergo their education are taught to visualize and envision potential spaces. Architects are constantly working with new materials, design innovations and can help you to create spaces you might not have been able to conceive to begin with. I saw something on HGTV that I like. Can you do that for me? During the design/review process, we work closely with our clients who may have an idea they saw on television. Very easily, architects can go above and beyond and create something similar if not better. What past projects have you done? You can easily find a selection of our previous projects on the past projects page or by clicking here. |
