The design process can be overwhelming to those who are experiencing it for the first time. James Montana AIA breaks up this process into managable phases, each with deliverable products to the client.

Learning about
the process.

A meeting, or series of meetings, that establishes the project’s goals and scope of work. This is sometimes referred to as the “discovery period” and outlines the major parameters for your project.

DELIVERABLES: Project pro-forma, including project size, expected budget, and space requirements. Often times, this will include a “look book” describing the architectural style and interior design best suited for your project.

Figuring out
the big ideas.

The earliest design phase, Schematic Design establishes the basic form and function of your new home. Diagrams and illustrations will be created to show relationships such as massing, room sizes, and adjacencies.

DELIVERABLES: Floor plans, massing diagrams, 3D illustrations, and building elevations. Preliminary Cost estimates will be established.

Refining your
vision.

During the Design Development phase, ideas and designs are explored to get the right feel for your new home. Plans and elevations are developed and redrawn to show a higher level of detail than seen in Schematic Design. Materials are explored and incorporated into the design of the project.

DELIVERABLES: Revised Plans, Elevations and 3D illustrations. Building Sections, Wall Sections, Reflected Ceiling Plans, and Interior Elevations. Cost estimates will be reviewed.

Getting all the
details right.

Construction Documents contain the set of instructions used by builders to create your structure. The emphasis for this phase is placed on constructability, with any remaining design considerations developed to their fullest extent.

DELIVERABLES: Construction Level Floor Plans, Building Elevations, Building Sections, Wall Sections, Reflected Ceiling Plans, Interior Elevations, and Details. Specifications if required will be written. Cost estimates will be reviewed.

Answering every
question.

During Bidding/Negotiation, the project is set out to bid, with an average of three separate general contractors providing their estimated prices for construction. Permit Documents are prepared and submitted to local governing jurisdictions, and any questions prepared by contractors are answered via Addenda.

DELIVERABLES: Permit Documents, Addenda.

Building your
dream.

Occurring alongside the construction of your project, Construction Administration describes the role of the Architect in ensuring that your vision and expectations are maintained. Routine site visits are conducted, with documents prepared by the designer to convey overall progress and adherence to the design intent.

DELIVERABLES: Minimum 1 site visit per week, or more as required. Site visits are cataloged, and the results shared with the owner for review and approval.

Places to work.
Places to live.

Any remaining open items are addressed during the completion phase, where the Architect will determine if a project is substantially complete, which is to say, ready for use and habitation by the owner. Remaining tasks may exist for the contractor to complete, but these are minor in scope, and are cataloged via “punch lists,” which are documents outlining any outstanding work. At the end of substantial completion, any outstanding debts are settled.

DELIVERABLES: Punch Lists, Certificate of Substantial Completion.