Build your Dream Home

You are going to use an Architect to build your dream home. This page outlines the process taken by the client and the Architect to design and build a custom home or addition. The client, Architect and a team of consultants navigate through the design process in an effort to clarify the design, budget, and gain agency approval. Every design starts with the Site.

The Site. The Architect can help the client chose a building site. We can analyze the site to determine the feasibility of construction. Site analysis includes a study of the environment, views, sun exposure, prevailing wind, and topography, Geologic/Geotechnical building feasability study, utility availability, and research to ascertain design criteria from the agency planning department, design review board, or home owner's association. The value of your building site is dependent on some of the factors mentioned above.

Financing. We can assist the client in obtaining a finance plan that suites the needs of the project. A successful project will include funds to purchase the property, design the project, pay for permit fees, and construct the project. Architects, lenders, real estate professionals, and builders can be consulted to develop a budget.

The Design Program. The Architect will ascertain the client's design program. The program is a list of the ingredients, a priority of room adjacencies, features, room sizes, and pictures of your ideas.

Preliminaries. The design process evolves. The Architect prepares a floor plan and preliminary site plan. Then, we review the design together. An elevation is developed to show the style and general character of the house. Once you are satisfied with the design it is a good idea to consult with a builder to discuss the budget and construction schedule.

Design Development. Design Development drawings are used to obtain approval from the client, and the agency planning department, design review board, or Home Owners Association. Depending on the complexity of the project, design consultants may be involved in the design in an effort to create the desired effect, and engineering consultants may be involved to resolve performance issues relative to the site and the building. The design consultants at this stage may include the following; Landscape Architect, Interior Designer, Lighting Consultant, Arborist, Swimming pool/ pond/ waterfall designer. The engineering consultants may include, Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Structural Engineer Electric, Plumbing and Mechanical Engineers, and Traffic Engineers.

Design Review. The agency approval process can be unpredictable for the uninitiated. In California, neighbor support may be necessary especially if the design is perceived to conflict with the design guidelines or CC&R's. Most people seem to think that they are on good terms with their neighbors untill they are surprised to experience criticism and opposition to their project. Neighborhood opposition can be overcome when the design is sensitive to neighbor concerns and meets the established design guideline. Persistence may be necessary when there is an opportunity to modify the design based on input from the community. A design of good quality will respond positively to every issue and not ignore problem areas. In some cases our design is simply ahead of its time, especially in remodel projects, where an obsolete design is being replaced with one built to current standards.

Working Drawings. Once the design is approved, the Architect prepares Working Drawings which will incorporate the input from the engineering and design consultants. The Working Drawings will be used to obtain a building permit and for the construction of the project. Since the Working Drawings will be used to construct the project the plans must communicate vital information to the builder. Seismic engineering is an important consideration in the design and is affected by the soil condition, the proximity to earthquake faults, and the configuration of the building. At this stage, the Architect will address the effect of the seismic issues and make minor modifications to the drawings in an effort to improve the efficiency of the structure while balancing the budget. We strive for a building that will perform well over time.

Permit. The time spent to obtain a permit varies due to the complexity of the project and the jurisdiction. The planning and building department does a plan check to insure compliance with design criteria and building codes.

Biding and Negotiation. The plans go out to a builder to bid. A qualified builder is one with experience in the type of construction proposed and a licenced General Contractor. If necessary, the Architect can assist the client in answering the subcontractor's questions and evaluating the bidder's suggestions to save cost or increase performance.

Construction. The project materializes. The Architect can respond to the builder's request for information (RFI's) and if the inspector questions the building code compliance on specific aspects of the construction. We can assist in material selection and improve the design in response to the availability of a skilled tradesman and new products.

ENJOY YOUR DREAM HOME