concepts

for homes + cottages

background

After experiencing firsthand the value of designing far in-advance of building - a home for my girlfriend and I - significant benefits became apparent - and I thought to establish this as a stand-alone service. Beyond the fun, the associated time involved fast-forwards a project which suddenly goes ahead, and understanding of the construction costing can be very important.

services provided

Brainstorming design possibilities - then zeroing in on that best suited for the particular client/circumstances - for contemplated new building(s) or additions/alterations to existing. The graphic information produced may be for review/use by the client, and may be used for costing purposes. In-person meeting during course of project provided as desired by the client.

process

The client conveys initial design aspirations (‘wish list’, favored design style/elements - photos of existing buildings, and from magazines & books can be very helpful). Some investigation of similar projects may be done for reference. Where a property/building is already owned by a client, or being considered for purchase - drawings of the existing circumstances are done on computer; otherwise a fictitious circumstance is imagined. These serve as base documents to then develop the design. Relevant zoning/development parameters are established - and summarized - to then inform the building massing possibilities. Various design directions are generated and analyzed (may address site organization, building massing, floor plans & exterior elevations) - the direction best suited for the particular client/circumstances is identified and then refined. The later drawings are ‘CAD’ - on computer - may be drawn ‘hybrid’ - meaning that both 2D & 3D views may be generated. 2D only may be employed if desired. 3D CAD modelling is employed as it significantly aids the perception of a proposal and usually makes the design process more time-efficient. More elaborately, physical models (often card) may be desired by the client - along with colour or material texture rendering applied to the drawings. Drawing distribution and discussions often are via internet though it can be more time-efficient or comfortable to resolve design aspects in-person. Enhancing the design-decision capabilities is the experience derived from many residential projects done over the years. If desired by the client, costing information is outsourced to a specialist consultant.

deliverables

Drawing documentation of the existing circumstances, the design directions explored, and then the refined direction are emailed to the client in PDF form &/or hard copies hand-delivered. More elaborately, physical models (often card) may be desired by the client - along with colour or texture rendering applied to the drawings. Any physical model, if involved, is delivered to the client to keep.

In-person meeting during course of project provided as desired by the client.

engagement

Following initial discussion with a prospective client, a proposal for services will be sent by email for consideration - of which the following are key aspects: fee basis to be hourly* with half travel-time involved charged for, copying separate/additional, initial 50% (of estimated total fee) due at outset of work with subsequent payments to be received within one calendar week of invoice. It is preferred for payments to be done via electronic transfer. With consideration to the above and low overhead, the fee rate is limited. (*- a single rate is utilized for simplification - at a medium of the differing rates various tasks such as drafting, design, coa, etc may be). Any consultant or municipality fee (if involved) separate/additional to architect fee.

for project list - see here