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[ DESIGN PROCESS]
Initial
Consultation
The first step in the design process is to meet
with the clients and listen to their goals and
desires for the project, the timeline for completion
and the budget to work within. Creative and innovative
solutions come from truly understanding the clients’
needs. We focus on listening to and understanding
the client in order to distill the critical elements
of the design problem. From that understanding
we proceed to develop unique design solutions
tailored to the individual client.
"One of the most important skills an architect
can possess is the ability to listen."
- Peter A. Zepponi
Proposal for Architectural Services
Following the Initial Consultation we prepare
a Proposal for Architectural Services based upon
our discussions and any information that they
provided regarding the project.
The majority of our projects are a Fixed Fee based
upon a defined scope of work. If the scope of
work is not defined or is indeterminate a Time
& Material fee proposal may be provided either
for the duration of the project or until a defined
scope of work has been determined. Fixed fee proposals
are progressively billed from 0% to 100% of completion
of permit Construction Documents.
"With so many construction cost variables,
we like to start by nailing down for our clients
the one cost we have complete control over; our
fee."
- Peter A. Zepponi
Design Process
The design process is divided into three iterative
phases. We begin with various general concepts
and alternatives and present those to the client
for review and comment. We then take the client
feedback and refine those initial concepts to
incorporate the best features of the previous
concepts. This process continues through the completion
of the Construction Documents allowing the client
to be part of the design decision making process.
Each iteration gradually brings vague ideas into
focus resulting in a tangible set of plans.
| Phase
I: |
Schematic
Design: |
The
conceptual design phase. |
| Phase
II: |
Design
Development: |
Integration
of building systems and structure. |
| Phase
III: |
Construction
Documents: |
Complete
plans and specifications for bid and permit.
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The construction process is typically divided
into two additional phases:
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| Phase
IV: |
Bidding
and Negotiation: |
Selecting
and hiring a contractor. |
| Phase
V: |
Construction
Administration: |
Reviewing
that construction is proceeding per plans
and specifications. |
"It’s not always about thinking ‘outside the
box’; sometimes you just need to make the box
better…and in San Francisco especially, it’s more
often about thinking ‘inside the box’."
- Peter A. Zepponi.
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