(Continued from “What to Expect” and “Getting To Work”)
Finalizing the design process begins here at Part Three of this writing—no one is more surprised than I am! Starting from an initial call or office visit, we have now progressed to creating a solid, well-thought-out Schematic Design (SD) developed with the client’s initial wants, must-haves, and ongoing input.
We shared this with all the necessary parties to gather feedback, and now we’ve received their input. While design is fun, your ultimate goal is to build your new house—so what’s next?
We now have some responses and feedback, we have heard input, it’s time to filter what comments are aligned with your wishes and what input is critical to you:
Typically, all this feedback must be “filtered.” I advise clients to listen to all of these ideas, but let’s put any comments through the “let’s put our client first” filter.
Construction pricing is the most design-shaping news. If ballpark pricing is higher than expected, we start talking about reducing square footage, prioritizing what may need to be finished later, simplifying architectural details, or looking for alternative efficiency in our design. If the pricing news is good, let’s talk about finishing the “Room over the Garage,” installing the elevator now instead of later, or adding that pool! While construction pricing is not always pleasant news, it is just as important as any other part of the process. In Architecture school we learn that “the process” makes designs better.
This is typically considered Design Development (DD) in the Allison Ramsey Architects system. As always, a few more iterations of the plans with the owner’s involvement will incorporate any changes we found and will strengthen our design. We are sharing the plan designs with other designers, builders, and anyone involved in the process.
Changes made; requests fulfilled; it’s time to ask the owners to approve the design. This means we can start our process of drawing the construction set.
Construction pricing is the most design-shaping news… While construction pricing is not always pleasant news, it is just as important as any other part of the process.
Am I ready to build?
What are CDs? I get asked this question a lot. CD is short for Construction Documents; the drawing set that we will produce so your builder can build the house. This is typically less time intensive for you, the client, than the Schematic Design (SD) or Design Development (DD) phases. For architects, we “nerd out” on this phase and take our time refining the drawing set with a fine-tooth comb, so that everything works and all details are prepared for the builder, and that drawings are clearly and correctly coordinated on the final drawing sheets.
We wrap up any last plan and elevation changes that the client provided in the final DDs. We also draw up technical details like electrical layouts, foundation plan, roof plan, wall sections and other construction details that are required to build the house. We send over this initial final set to you for review. Sometimes there are minor corrections from you that we need to address, but at this point all design elements have been agreed on. Construction methods are not very sexy to most clients but are critical and just as important when we work through the CD set. At this point a builder or builders can really dig in and start a “sticks and bricks” price estimate.
As final pricing and final client input and review board concerns are being addressed, we are also revising and doing our own “in-office” checks for quality, accuracy, and any last-minute changes we might see that make things work better. Once this process is complete, you receive a PDF document that provides the information your builder needs to construct your home; the CD set. In our minds this process is a lot like creating, hardening, and honing a piece of metalwork. Every small step will make the design better. Maybe I watch too much “Forged in Fire”? I blame my sister-in-law.
Is that the end?
Depending on what you – soon to be homeowner – signed on for, we may be at the end of finalizing the design process that Allison Ramsey Architects provides. For some clients, however, we also assist with Contract Negotiations and Construction Administration as part of our extended services beyond finalizing the design process.
These options are offered as “Additional Services” in our proposal, even if not included in the initial agreement. We want to help as much as you need but won’t push ourselves into your entire building journey beyond finalizing the design process.
We understand that questions and needs will arise during construction and afterward, and we remain available to offer guidance as needed.
Bill Harris
Allison Ramsey Architects, Inc.
billh@allisonramseyarchitect.com
