Understanding the Design Process

The architectural design process may be perceived by the public as complicated and confusing. It really is not and its basis is the same as any creative problem solving process. Architects employ the creative problem solving approach in order to achieve the most intelligent building design and the most efficient use of funds not the least expensive but the best value per square foot! Let's de-mystify the process by taking look at the four steps of the Design Process.

1) Program development
Often the Client may not be sure what the Scope of the Work should be. Do they, for instance, need an addition, or a new home? Perhaps a Client is sure that it is a master-bedroom they want but has not questioned whether it should be on the second floor or the first floor. Together, the Architect will lead the Client to find the right creative solution most often one which the Client never considered! Remember, Architects are problem solvers not people who draw plans. In the program phase, the Architect uses his/ her experience and expertise to help the client identify their real needs, and balance desires with budgetary constraints. For the typical home, the Program can be express in a simple sentence or paragraph. For an extensive residential job or a commercial project, the Program will often take the form of a written document. The Program is an analysis with a documented conclusion.

2) Schematic design
Once the Program has been defined, words are transposed into diagrams and sketches. The sketches may have the precision of computer generated drawings but they are non-the-less rough and at this point in the process, they are intended to be rough so as not to discourage alternative choices for creative solutions. The diagrams of the Schematic phase show relationships of spaces. Often in this phase, time is necessary for the right direction to crystallize. In other situations, the schematic design proceeds quickly. The time-line for each client is different, but the goal of the schematic investigation is to ultimately choose one and only one final diagrammatic scheme.

3) Design development
Design development turns diagrams and spatial relationships into floor plans, elevations and three-dimensional to-scale drawings. Design development focuses on products; structure; materials etc. Design development must be thorough and final, so that changes are minimized and preferably excluded from the Construction Document phase. The Client may place full, decision-making power in the hands of the Architect. However, most residential clients look forward to the decision making involvement even if it is time consuming and intense.
The amount of time required to work through the first three phases of the Design Process will vary from design scheme to design scheme, and from Client to Client. It is our experience, that hourly invoicing for the first three phases of the process works best for Client and Architect. The hourly billing encourages timely and considerate decision making on the part of the Client. It offers flexibility for change, during the phases, when change is welcomed and constructive. It also allows for easy customization of the Client/Architect contract.

4) Construction Documents
The last stage of the Design Process is the preparation of technical drawings for the contractors, sub-contractors and the jurisdictional authority. These are what the public often refers to as blue-prints, although, since computers, they are no longer blue. At this point in the process, the Scope of the Work has been precisely defined and the Architect can give the client a fixed fee for the production of the Construction Documents (CDs), which includes the work of engineering, and often mechanical and electrical consultants. Construction Document preparation takes place after the Client has seen the menu, considered the options, and placed the order. To interrupt the Construction Document process at this point, because of changes, is costly for the Client and demoralizing for the design team. Any change at this point is billed on an hourly rate in addition to the fixed fee for the Construction Documents.

Invoicing for Architectural Services is a tiered structure. The Architect often does little of the hand work, leaving the drawing to Draftspersons or the Production Manager. Coordination, designing, conceptualizing the art, and proofing the documents, is the job of the Architect. None too often, the best conceptualizing occurs off-hours, by the Architect. The Client profits from those moments of creative enlightenment by the Architect being off the clock. Understanding how the Architect invoices is important because it is one of the reasons that, while not inexpensive, architectural services are cost efficient.

We hope this introduction helps you understand the Design Process. We are looking forward to guiding you along the way to your goal of a personalized, highly intelligent and beautiful structure.







1906 Morrison Ave. Tampa, FL 33606 | 813 251 0232 | fax 813 251 2338 | roger at GRUNKEdesign.com