CUSTOMIZED CLIENT SERVICES

      
     
Chronologically a project proceeds through several steps as follows:
  

PRE-DESIGN

Review the owner’s program and budget; interview owners at length. With our
House clients, we often travel to their primary place of residence to do this.
Seeing them where and how they live conveys an invaluable base of non-verbal
Information, and also enables them to show us favorite places, images, family
Heirlooms, living patterns, etc.

  
     
 

SITE ANALYSIS

Before beginning design, we analyze the constraints and opportunities of the site,
soils, utilities, zoning restrictions, privacy concerns, mature vegetation, view
corridors, sun or wind exposures, highway noise, etc. This may include some
mapping and photo documentation.

  
 
 
   
   

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

“Concept-driven” is a term we use to describe what happens next. We do not begin until we have isolated and verbalized the important concepts. These are the seeds around which the design will germinate. These come mostly from the owners/clients. And they range from favorite childhood images/places to specific
motifs or materials, to particular indoor/outdoor relationships.

Among the most challenging clients is the speculative developer who just says, “do something interesting.” Yet, even in this case, we try to define a surrogate client and user group with dislikes and desires, toward which the design serves and respnds.
Site circulation studies come first.

Second, internal space relationships studies are done. Once these relationships are established, exterior design ideas tested.

We often attempt to draw upon the rich indiginous vernacular traditions that exist
in an area.
   
   
 

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT STAGE

This is the “bridge” to construction drawings. Engineering consultants, landscape
Designers, and other consultants review the design drawing and give their input.
As they begin to layout their specialized systems, adjustments are quickly needed
to accommodate the systems, while still preserving the design intentions.
 

SCHEDULE AND BUDGET

We recommend pre-selecting a contractor during the design phase, in order to
give construction input before the plans have been finalized. An updated cost
estimate and construction time line may then developed, which is refined as more detailed drawings are produced. If the owner does not have a pre-selected
contractor, then Lorne Rose Architect can organize a cost-estimator, or a
contractor who has a strong project management staff to do cost estimating
during the design process.

        
SOME IMPORTANT KEYS WE HAVE FOUND IN BUDGETING

1. Everyone has a budget (even if it is a lavish one).
2. Ask the owner what his budget is and establish it early on. It does no good to be optimistic about where the bids will come in, and then end up
with a useless set of construction documents.
3. Be realistic. There is a definite relationship between quality of materials and price
which cannot be ignored.
4. A good contractor is the best guarantee of a good pre-construction estimate of time
and expense.
5. A good contractor is the best guarantee of a job with minimal change orders and
delays.

CONSTUCTION DOCUMENTS PHASE

Small scale detailing and materials specifications provide consistency, clarity and
reinforcement of the “broad brush” design concepts established earlier. The
documents’ work truly completes and strengthens the overall design. It provides
the up-close attention to detail which people will appreciate in the final product.

CONSTRUCTION ADMINSTRATION PHASE

Surprisingly, we have found the design process to continue into the construction
Phase, with important opportunities to strengthen the design. Sometimes
changes are required or requested, and these inevitably provide new design
opportunities. Finally, the contractor and his tradesman frequently are the source
of creative ideas which can improve the final design.