Pre-Design & Code Analysis
We start off envisioning and information collecting, to articulate a qualitative, realistic project program that will achieve your goals. We’ll spend time at your project site to collect and analyze feasibility information, and perform a preliminary code and zoning analysis. And we’ll get organized for our work together, with tools including a preliminary project schedule.
Schematic Design
Conceptual design on your project begins, taking what we’ve heard from you, together with the site and code information, to begin translating ideas into spaces and forms. We’ll present options to you for discussion and decision, with supporting information. We’ll also begin to discuss the appropriate team and budget to accomplish your goals, by helping select a pre-construction contractor for a preliminary pricing exercise.
Planning Approval
We are our clients’ advocate, with a strong track record of guiding projects through the planning approvals process successfully, and the knowledge, instincts and relationships to help you choose the right team of consultants (structural engineer, landscape architect, etc.). It is often the case that a planning approvals process is required in the Bay Area, which is sometimes challenging. We do everything in our power to smooth the waters and diffuse stress for you in this phase.
Design Development
The project is now taking real form, as we develop your chosen design direction and guide you through a series of decisions, culminating with final design approval. The first step is to take the overall look of the design to the next level of refinement, after which we delve into detailing—apportioning the layout, and honing in on finish levels and material selections. With these decisions in place we coordinate the first round of work from your consultants.