VISIONING

MASTER PLANNING
A critical part of the visioning process, the master plan looks beyond the present and establishes a road map for future development. All of the services listed under the Visioning heading are often included in the Master Planning process.

EXISTING BUILDING SURVEY
A documentation of existing building conditions as a starting point for subsequent work.

FACILITY ANALYSIS
An evaluation of the architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical components of an existing facility in regards to functionality, condition, architectural merit and code compliance.

PROGRAMMING
We use a systematic approach to determine the spatial needs of the anticipated users of a facility through a series of questionnaires and interviews. This compilation of spaces or building program also includes specific requirements such as spatial qualities or configurations, acoustical qualities, HVAC and lighting, daylighting and the necessary relationship between spaces. The program is the backbone of any building project. When working with churches, our “all inclusive” process also serves to build advocates for the project.

SITE ANALYSIS AND SELECTION
This evaluation identifies all aspects that may influence the development potential of an existing site or multiple prospective sites. The analysis examines physical features like topography, vegetation, solar and wind exposure and on-site or neighboring structures. It also will look at regulatory constraints such as zoning, stormwater management, impervious coverage, forestation, flood plane and parking requirements.

SITE PLANNING
Based on the information gathered in the Site Analysis and Building Program this is a process of examining possible configurations for development of a particular site. Often done as part of a feasibility study to see what will fit on the site. We often work in conjunction with our consultant civil engineers, land planners and landscape architects.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Also referred to as concept or preliminary design, this is the first stage of the design process and is where buildings first take shape. We often use Google Sketch Up to generate three dimensional digital models of these early designs.

RENDERINGS
We use renderings to communicate our design. We also provide renderings that can be used for promotional, fund-raising and marketing purposes. In addition to two-dimensional renderings, we also can have videos produced that promote a project with three-dimensional images.

COST ESTIMATION
Like design, cost estimation is usually very preliminary in the beginning and can get very detailed as the design develops. Depending of the level of detail required, we use various methods including rough square foot cost based on historical data, cost estimation software which uses a regional cost database, general contractors and cost estimating consultants.

FEASIBILITY STUDY
We can provide, either in house or through the use of consultants, a feasibility study for a proposed project. The study usually includes many of the services listed here in Visioning in addition to a financial analysis that aims to predict whether a project will meet an owner’s financial expectations.

LEED^® ANALYSIS
We encourage all of our clients to build green. For those that chose to certify their efforts, the most widely used system is the US Green Building Council’s LEED Green Building Rating System. We are qualified and experienced to guide you through the process. The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for buildings designed, constructed and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.

INTEGRATIVE DESIGN
An integrated design process is essential to meeting goals for green building, cost controls, system performance and limited time schedules. An integrative process involves all of the design team members as early in the process as possible and communications between members is crucial. As the lead firm on a project, we see that all parties are talking to one another and have a clear understanding of the whole building rather than just their own discipline.

PRODUCING

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
During this process the schematic design is developed in response to further thought, in-depth code review, material research, mechanical and structural system identification and site design development.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
This is the process on producing the documentation that is necessary for bidding, permitting and construction of the project. The documents produced include drawings and specifications.

LEED^® FACILITATION
If LEED rating is a goal for a project, the strategies are identified during the Visioning phase and the majority of the integration of those strategies into the design and documentation happens in the Producing phase. Our design team will consist of LEED Accredited Professionals in every discipline to assure that the goals are met.

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)
BIM is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle. Typically it uses three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase productivity in building design and construction. The goal is to have all of the design, construction and ownership team members utilizing the system to maximize its potential.

INTERIOR DESIGN
We take an integrated approach to interior design where we consider it a part of the building design rather than decorations that are applied to the building. Although most of the design work is done by our staff we do use consultants for help with furnishings.

TENANT IMPROVEMENTS
Sometimes called “tenant fit-out”, this is the process of designing within a building shell and is often used for retail or office uses. We have designed tenant improvements in both buildings we designed and ones designed by others.

REALIZING

BIDDING AND NEGOTIATIONS
This is the process of securing a contractor. We sometimes collect multiple bids either through advertisement or invitation and sometimes we negotiate with a single qualified contractor. In a bidding situation our services often include qualifying bidders, responding to questions, issuing addenda, collecting bids, evaluating bids and making recommendations to the owner. We also will assist the owner in negotiating the construction contract.

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
We serve as the owner’s representative during the construction of a project. In a traditional design, bid, build project we are the intermediary between the owner and contractor. Our role is to see that the building in built as it is designed. Our services often include pre-construction meetings, on-site observation, progress meetings, approval of contractor schedules and payments requests, shop drawing and submittal review, change order issuance and certification of substantial and final completion.

DESIGN – BUILD
Over the years we have delivered many projects using the design/build approach. In some cases our firm has been both the architect and contractor and in others we have worked in partnership with a general contractor. This is a good approach when you have a tight time schedule or a very complex project and the architect and contractor have a good track record of working together.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Usually on projects of limited scope, we can manage the construction of a project. This usually entails hiring multiple prime contracts, overseeing construction and being responsible for the project schedule.

LEED^® FACILITATION AND CERTIFICATION
Part of the LEED certification process involves verification and documentation during the construction process. We collect this data from the contractor through the submittal process and verify that the requirements are being met. We submit the required documentation to USGBC for certification.

POST CONSTRUCTION
Our services after construction is complete include inspection and analysis to see that requirements have been met, documentation of as-built conditions, commissioning and user surveys.