THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS AND METHODOLOGIES

The question of the actual design process and methodologies of design is more confusing when dealing
with architectural design because architectural design is more often involves in a team work.

Before, most architects are considered more of an artist; they can design but was not able to explain or
defends the need to add a significant amount of funds for the particular design. In today's architectural
trends, there are set of rules and guidelines to be followed that could affect or help in making a design.

THE PROCESS SHOULD INVOLVE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1. Assemble the team - As stated above the architectural design involves a team of people. At the
outset of the project there should be a scheduling or at least a tentative assembly of efficient
architects and consultant who identify the project's scope and purpose. There should be a project's
team leader who holds the overall responsibility and identifying the right person/s in their fields.

2. Clear Communication - As again stated before, the design part involves a team. The
communication should be always available for any enquiry of the different involves, especially for
the owner or their representative/s. The Project Architect coordinates regular meeting to design
staff, specialists and the Owner's representative.

3. Budget and Cost Control - Cost and control is critical to all the success of any project. This is true
not only for initial construction, but also when considering the cost of operation. The project's
budget is developed during the schematic design phase. It's monitored and updated during the
design development phase, and finally confirmed during the preparation of construction
documents. The Architect performs construction cost estimating, which involves confirming current
unit costs for materials and equipment with contractors and suppliers.

4. Staying on Track - Hold regularly-scheduled job progress meetings with the Owner's
Representative and contractors. These meetings help establish and maintain good
communications, assure smooth progress and result in the project's timely completion.

METHODOLOGY

Phases of architectural design process

Designing and building a home or planning and constructi ng a space for a new or growing
business is a complex task. One way to make a complex task seem more manageable is to
break it up into smaller tasks, and architects apply a similar strategy to the design and
constructi on process. The American Insti tute of Architects (AIA) defi nes Five Phases of
Architecture that are commonly referred to throughout the industry: Schemati c Design,
Design Development, Contract Documents, Bidding, Contract Administrati on.  

P RE - DE S I GN  (PD )

Pre-design is an informati on gathering phase that will be the foundati on for the design
phases to follow. The main goal during this phase is to learn everything possible about our
clients’ personality, lifestyle, and needs as well as determine how much space you need
now and likely to need in the future, and how that space should be used, organized, and
arranged. This informati on is organized into a document called the Program, which
describes all the rooms and spaces for the project, their approximate sizes and any specifi c
qualiti es or unique features you are looking for. The other part of Pre-design phase is
observing and documenti ng the existi ng conditi ons at the project site. This usually entails a
survey of the land to determine the property line locati ons and/or measurements of any
existi ng structures. We also do background research to bett er understand how the site
relates to the surrounding area, climate, people, and the regulati ons that aff ect the
project. We track these regulati ons in a Zoning Summary document and talk to city
planning staff if questi ons arise. Clients should expect to be very involved and ready to
answer personal questi ons during this phase.

In this phase, we carry out

 Client consultati on
 Existi ng conditi ons survey and documentati on
 Photographs
 Measurements
 Compile existi ng drawings if any
 Prepare high-level base drawings
 Statement of probable build/constructi on cost
 Programming space and use
 Code review
This phase ends with owner’s decision to move forward with a project.

PD Deliverables: Program, Zoning Summary, Existi ng Conditi on drawing(s)

PD Durati on: usually 2-4 weeks

S CH E MA TIC D ES IGN (S D )

In this phase, we begin the process of translati ng the Program into an effi cient building
design. This is when we start exploring design concepts; it is the ti me for testi ng opti ons
and getti ng a general idea of the look and feel. The fl oor plans and shape of the project will
begin to take form, but the specifi cs about materials and details will come later.  The
Schemati c Design phase includes several meeti ngs where we present ideas to our clients
using images of other projects, hand sketches, and models to help visualize the size, shape,
and relati onship of spaces to each other. We listen and observe your reacti ons, then refi ne
the ideas according to your feedback unti l we reach an agreed upon design directi on to
develop further in the following phases.   Clients can expect to be quite engaged
throughout this phase and to be asked for approval of the Schemati c Design before work
proceeds. Make sure to let your design professional know if you don’t understand
something and take the ti me necessary to give thoughtf ul feedback. It is always possible to
make changes later, but it is easiest during this phase when the design is most fl uid.

At the end of this phase, we deliver

 Floor plans of all levels with generic openings and plumbing fi xtures
 Exterior building elevati ons with representati ve openings and fi nishes
 Building cross-secti on
 Typical wall secti on
And we move to the next phase with the owner’s approval.

SD Deliverables: Preliminary Site and Floor Plans, Preliminary Exterior Concept (if

applicable)
SD Durati on: usually 4-8 weeks

D ES I GN DE VEL OPME NT (D D )

During Design Development, we advance the design signifi cantly based on the fl oor plan
and exterior concept approved in the previous phase. The fi rst priority of this phase is to
defi ne and develop all the important aspects of the project and produce a set of drawings
and outline specifi cati on to show potenti al contractors for preliminary cost esti mati ng. If
adjustments are necessary to bring the project scope in line with the constructi on budget,
it is most effi cient to do this sooner than later. Once we know we are on track, we will talk
more specifi cally about the interior and exterior materials and functi onality. As we dial in
the layout of the indoor and outdoor spaces, we will refi ne the window and door
placements and make adjustments to the building form. This phase is usually when our
clients feel the project coming to life and it becomes possible to see themselves in the new
space. By the end of the Design Development phase, the building exterior will be more fully
designed, the interior layout completed, dimensions of all spaces fi nalized, and most
materials selected. A structural engineer will be added to the team, and consultants for
HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems may be needed depending on the complexity of the
project. The deliverable will be a more detailed set of drawings that communicates the
overall layout and volume of the building or space, all signifi cant equipment, and the type
of material or fi nish for every surface of the project.  

At the end of this phase, we deliver

 Floor plans with a proposed basis of design openings and plumbing fi xtures
 Overall dimensions
 Structural grid dimensions
  Interior wall dimensions
 Exterior elevati ons with a proposed basis of design openings and fi nishes
 Additi onal building secti ons
 Wall secti ons at all typical conditi ons
 Typical details
 Additi onal details to establish a basis for design products
Now we have given shape to project ’s vision through drawings and writt en specifi cati ons.

DD Deliverables: Drawing Set and Outline Specification document

DD Duration: usually 8-12 weeks

C ONS TR UC TION D OC UME NTS (C D )

In this phase we develop the Design Drawings into a thorough and precise set of
Constructi on Documents. These drawings and specifi cati ons have all of the details,
dimensions, and notes necessary to communicate the enti re design intent to the builder.
We show how the building components should be connected, specify all of the materials,
fi nishes, fi xtures, equipment, and appliances to be installed, and coordinate our drawings
with the structural engineers and any other consultant drawings.  The Constructi on
Documents phase oft en requires the most ti me, which can surprise clients because the
design seems complete aft er Design Development. However, this is a criti cal step in the
process of successfully and accurately executi ng the design you have invested in.  Early in
this phase there may sti ll be opti ons on the table for some of the items to be specifi ed.
Clients should be prepared to make decisions during this phase. It is our job to make
recommendati ons and educate you about the opti ons, but ulti mately you will be the one
occupying and maintaining the home or building and you have the fi nal say.

In this phase, we deliver

 Floor plans fully annotated

 All dimensions
 Room, wall, door, and window identi fi cati on
 Secti on and detail indicators
 General notes and detailed notes
 Exterior elevati ons fully annotated
 All building secti ons required for constructi on
 Wall secti ons at all conditi ons
 Details fully annotated
 Structural plans, details, and notes
 Plumbing plans, schedules, details, and notes
 HVAC plans, schedules, details, and notes
 Electrical power and lighti ng plans, schedules, details, and notes
Next is processing the building permit

CD Deliverables: Drawings and Specification for Construction

CD Duration: usually 8-12 weeks

BUILDING PERMITTING (BP)

During this phase we add to the Constructi on Documents any additi onal informati on
required to get a building permit. This is the informati on needed to show the project
complies with the applicable land use, building, and energy codes, and any other applicable
guidelines and regulati ons required by the city or jurisdicti on issuing the permit.  We
submit these drawings along with the various forms required for the permit applicati on to
the local plan reviewer, monitor the progress during the review period, and give additi onal
informati on or clarifi cati ons as requested. Litt le, if anything is needed from the client
during this phase—except pati ence. Our goal is to shepherd your project through as quickly
and painlessly as possible, but the length and cost of this phase can vary greatly depending
on the jurisdicti on, complexity of the project, and any special historic district or community
design review processes.

In this phase, we deliver

 Complete Set of Drawings

 Forms for Building Permit Applicati on
 Detailed Esti mates
 Constructi on Specifi cati ons
 Photocopy of Professional License and PRT with sign and seal

Then we move to Bidding & Negoti ati on

BP Deliverables: Drawings and Forms for Building Permit Applicati on

BP Durati on: usually 12-24 weeks (varies widely)

B I D D I N G & N E G O T I A T I O N (B N )

We are happy to introduce our clients to a number of reputable builders we work with and
trust. We can also be available to att end interviews and walk-throughs, help you evaluate
contractor qualifi cati ons, and provide assistance with obtaining and reviewing bids. Some
clients already have a contractor in mind when they come to us, but many take advantage
of our extensive contractor and relati onships to fi nd their builder.

In this phase, we deliver

  Drawings
 Specifi cati ons for Bidding

And we move to the fi nal phase

BP Deliverables: Drawings and Specifi cati ons for Bidding

BP Durati on: usually 3-6 weeks

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION (CA)

Finally, the constructi on is underway.

While most of the architect’s work is done before any building begins, our consistent
presence during the constructi on phase is equally important. During this phase we visit the
jobsite at regular intervals to answer questi ons from the builder and proacti vely address
potenti al issues. The frequency of our site visits could be weekly or monthly depending on
the project and your needs, but it is vital to have us keeping an eye on things to ensure the
fi nished project meets your expectati ons. Inevitably, some decisions must be made or
modifi ed in the fi eld, and our involvement and ability to work quickly with your contractor
to solve problems is essenti al for helping you avoid costly delays and change orders. During
Constructi on Administrati on, the architect’s role is advisor to the owner. At our site visits
we will take photos and write fi eld reports to document the progress, confi rm the materials
and workmanship are of the quality you agreed to, and verify your contractor’s billings
accurately refl ect the amount of work completed. At the end of the project, we help you
develop your fi nal Punch List to ensure all work is completed to your sati sfacti on.  

CA Deliverables: Field Observati on Reports

CA Durati on: concurrent with constructi on ti meframe