Architectural Process

Michael A. George, Architect, is an architectural firm experienced in the problem solving processes of building design. Whether designing for new commercial, custom residential construction, or a residential addition, our understanding of building and zoning ordinances, project schedules, and contract documents assures clients of effective design services.

Architectural services can be understood if they are evaluated according to six phases of the overall process. These include:

• Initial Programing
• Schematic Design
• Design Development
• Construction Drawings
• Bidding
• Construction Observation

Initial Programming
Preliminary discussions with the architect to determine the client's functional needs, general aesthetic goals and projected budget.

Schematic Design
At the end of the schematic design phase the architect will present some very rough sketches to the owner for approval. These sketches will provide the owner with the opportunity to verify that the architect has correctly interpreted the client's desired functional relationships between various activities. The sketches will also provide the client with a general indication of the exterior design dialogue.

Design Development
At the end of the design development phase the architect will provide the client with drafted to-scale drawings that will illustrate the project as it would look when it's constructed. These drawings will very specifically define the site plan, floor plans and exterior elevations. It is important that the client provide input to the architect at this time as the design development drawings are used as the basis for the construction drawings and preliminary cost estimates in building a home.

Construction Drawings
Based on owner-approved design development drawings, construction drawings are prepared.

When the construction drawings are complete the client will have sufficient information to secure contractor bids and obtain the required permits. The construction drawings are all necessary if the client hopes to have the contractor build the project as it has been conceived by the owner and architect. Without the drawings listed above, the contractor's bid may be based solely on the owner's vision of the finished structure.

Bidding
Although this phase is a small percentage of the overall architect fee it can save the owner a great deal of frustration and expense. Typically the architect can ask the right questions with regards to the contractor's project bids. It is very important to determine if the contractor has forgotten or overlooked anything on the construction drawings. If this occurs, the contractor will undoubtedly ask for more money when the project is underway and the owner has already signed a construction contract.

Construction Observation
This phase seems to be the most common phase to omit the architect's involvement, which is unfortunate since it is very difficult for the client to detect deviations from the original construction drawings until it is too late. However, if a qualified contractor has been retained then one should expect the project to proceed as specified in the construction drawings.