The Architectural Design Process
The architectural design process can seem bewildering – there are so many decisions to be made, so many tasks to complete, so many people involved.
Every architect has her own way of working, and each client and project has unique needs that may call for variations in the architectural design process, but the basic steps remain the same.
1. Free Consultation
The architect will meet with you to discuss your dreams, needs and budget for your project. This meeting will also give you a sense of the architect’s communication style and whether she is a good fit for you and your project.
2. Schematic Design
If you decide to work together, your architect develops a schematic design that defines the concept and scope of the project. Once you’ve approved the schematic design, your architect can move forward with the next phase of the architectural design process.
3. Design Development
Your architect refines the schematic plans, reviews them with you, consults with other experts and revises the plans as needed.
4. Construction Documents
The design is finalized. Your architect creates working drawings and submits to the city for permits. Any revisions required by the city are incorporated into the design, and the drawings are resubmitted for permitting.
5. Bidding
If needed, your architect puts the project out to bid among contractors and subcontractors. She reviews the bids with you to select contractors and subcontractors.
6. Construction Administration
Under the oversight of the architect, contractors prepare the building site and begin construction. Your architect communicates with you and works with contractors to head off any issues or conflicts.
7. Finishing
Pop the champagne! Your project is finished. Once you’ve had a chance to use our new space, you provide feedback to the architect and contractors.
More About the Design and Building Process
7 Building Project Mistakes Clients Make That Cost Time and Money
In my 30-plus years as an architect, I’ve dealt with almost every kind of building project mistake. There are a few that come up over and over, delaying projects, frustrating clients and costing them additional
Architectural Design Process – Step 6: Finishing Your Building Project
Finishing your building project is definitely time for celebration. You’ve been through all the work, expense and emotion that any major project entails, so when the final nail has been hammered in and the last
Architectural Design Process – Step 5: Construction Administration
The design development is complete, the construction documents are done, and you’ve selected a contractor. Congratulations! You’re moving into one of the most exciting phases of your architectural design project: construction. During this phase, contractors will begin the task of
Architectural Design Process – Step 4: Bidding
During the bidding phase of your architectural design project, your architect can help you select the contractors who will build your dream. Once your design has been finalized, you’ll need to send design documents to
Architectural Design Process – Step 3: Construction Documents
Once the design development phase is complete, it’s time to move on to step three in the architectural design process: creating the construction documents. Construction Documents Purpose The construction documents represent the completed design for
Architectural Design Process – Step 2: Design Development
After the schematic design is completed, the next step in the architectural design process is the design development. Design Development Purpose While the schematic design’s purpose is to provide an overview of the building or
Architectural Design Process – Step 1: Schematic Design
The first step in the architectural design process is the schematic design. After the initial consultation with the client, the architect should come away with an idea of the overall concept and scope of the
Setting Expectations When Working with an Architect
If you’ve never worked with an architect before, you may be wondering what to expect. Even before your initial meeting with an architect, it might be a wise idea to ask yourself some questions first.
5 Tips for a Less Stressful Remodeling or New Build Project
Creating your dream house, or diving into that home remodel, can be a bumpy process at times. We all know planning can help keep things on track, but how do you plan for something you’ve
When Do You Need an Architect?
When people find out I’m an architect, they almost always want to talk about their projects. Whether it’s a home remodel, a new retail space for their business or a new commercial building, one of
Get Through Your Commercial Building Project Without Losing Your Mind
A commercial building project is complex. It often involves a large team of people with different skills, time pressures and communication styles. When you add the worries any entrepreneur has when building a new business
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Remodeling Project
A major remodeling project brings with it lots of different emotions. Excitement. Frustration. Anger. Elation. If you’re doing a major building or remodeling project, chances are you’ll experience all these emotions – and more –
What to Look for When You’re Hiring an Architect
Hiring an architect for your project is like choosing a doctor – you want an ideal mix of expertise, experience, ethics and bedside manner. So what are the most important things to look for when
Why Your Architect Should Supervise Your Construction Project
As an architect, I like to think of remodeling and building projects as a symphony. All the sections of the orchestra – the strings, the brass, the percussion – use their unique skills to work
Why You Need to Work with an Architect
As an architect, several times a month, I find myself in some variation of a phone or email conversation with a prospective client that starts like this: Client: Hi. My contractor suggested I contact you.
Who Does What in a Small Building or Remodeling Project?
Any building or remodeling project involves a team of professionals. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, the team can range from a single architect and contractor to a host of architects, engineers
Working with an Architect – Your Questions Answered
Starting a large building or remodeling project can seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never worked with an architect before. You’ll probably have lots of questions about timing, process and cost, and a host of others
Top 5 Reasons to Get a Building Permit
Getting a building permit is among the top things people complain about when planning a building or remodeling project. It’s understandable: permits are sometimes a pain to get, they cost money, and they slow things
Supply Chain Headaches Continue into 2023
On the bright side, they will ease... The supply chain issues that began in earnest due to the pandemic will continue into 2023. That is according to a recent article in the Harvard Business Review,
7 Building Project Mistakes Clients Make That Cost Time and Money
This post first ran in 2018. In my 30-plus years as an architect, I’ve dealt with almost every kind of building project mistake. There are a few that come up over and over, delaying projects,
5 Important Services an Architect Provides
This post first ran in 2018. Many people think of an architect as someone who designs large, important buildings – a visionary who dreams up new and bold designs, like New York’s Guggenheim Museum (Frank
5 Tips for a Less Stressful Remodeling or New Build Project
Creating your dream house, or diving into that home remodel, can be a bumpy process at times. We all know planning can help keep things on track, but how do you plan for something you’ve
Stages of Build-Design Projects – Final in Series
In our first post of this series, we covered pre-design and schematic design. The second post detailed design development and construction Documents. The final stages encompass key elements of a successful build-design project. AplosGroup Architects
Stages of a Design-Build Project – 2nd in Series
Our first post in this series highlighted expectations for the pre-design stage through zoning, the creation of a preliminary budget, a tentative schedule, through to the schematic design. Design Development This is the next stage
Stages of a Design-Build Project
1st in a series of posts on this topic This time of year is an opportunity to take stock of the life-changing events we’ve seen or experienced in the last 12 months. It is also
Setting Expectations When Working with an Architect
If you’ve never worked with an architect before, you may be wondering what to expect. Even before your initial meeting with an architect, it might be a wise idea to ask yourself some questions first.
Get Through Your Commercial Building Project Without Losing Your Mind
A commercial building project is complex. It often involves a large team of people with different skills, time pressures and communication styles. When you add the worries any entrepreneur has when building a new business
Architectural Design Process – Step 6: Finishing Your Building Project
Finishing your building project is definitely time for celebration. You’ve been through all the work, expense and emotion that any major project entails, so when the final nail has been hammered in and the last
Architectural Design Process – Step 5: Construction Administration
The design development is complete, the construction documents are done, and you’ve selected a contractor. Congratulations! You’re moving into one of the most exciting phases of your architectural design project: construction. During this phase, contractors will begin the task of
Architectural Design Process – Step 4: Bidding
During the bidding phase of your architectural design project, your architect can help you select the contractors who will build your dream. Once your design has been finalized, you’ll need to send design documents to
Architectural Design Process – Step 3: Construction Documents
Once the design development phase is complete, it’s time to move on to step three in the architectural design process: creating the construction documents. Construction Documents Purpose The construction documents represent the completed design for
Architectural Design Process – Step 2: Design Development
After the schematic design is completed, the next step in the architectural design process is the design development. Design Development Purpose While the schematic design’s purpose is to provide an overview of the building or
Architectural Design Process – Step 1: Schematic Design
The first step in the architectural design process is the schematic design. After the initial consultation with the client, the architect should come away with an idea of the overall concept and scope of the
The Architectural Design Process
The architectural design process can seem bewildering to clients – there are so many decisions to be made, so many tasks to complete, so many people involved. Part of my aim with this blog is
Who Does What in a Small Building or Remodeling Project?
Any building or remodeling project involves a team of professionals. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, the team can range from a single architect and contractor to a host of architects, engineers
Making the Most of Your Architect Consultation
So you’ve decided on a project and checked out the websites of a few local architects, and now it’s time for your initial architect consultation. Whether you’re taking advantage of a free consultation or paying
When Do You Need an Architect?
When people find out I’m an architect, they almost always want to talk about their projects. Whether it’s a home remodel, a new retail space for their business or a new commercial building, one of
What to Look for When You’re Hiring an Architect
This post first ran in 2018. Hiring an architect for your project is like choosing a doctor – you want an ideal mix of expertise, experience, ethics and bedside manner. So what are the most
Top 5 Reasons to Get a Building Permit
This post first ran in 2017. Getting a building permit is among the top things people complain about when planning a building or remodeling project. It’s understandable: permits are sometimes a pain to get, they
7 Building Project Mistakes Clients Make That Cost Time and Money
This post first ran in 2018. In my 30-plus years as an architect, I’ve dealt with almost every kind of building project mistake. There are a few that come up over and over, delaying projects,
Why Your Architect Should Supervise Your Construction Project
This post first ran in 2018. As an architect, I like to think of remodeling and building projects as a symphony. All the sections of the orchestra – the strings, the brass, the percussion –
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Remodeling Project
This post first ran in 2016. A major remodeling project brings with it lots of different emotions. Excitement. Frustration. Anger. Elation. If you’re doing a major building or remodeling project, chances are you’ll experience all
COVID-19 and Your Building Project: Staying Safe
Updates to shelter-in-place orders in Marin and Sonoma Counties now allow construction and building projects to proceed, which means that new projects that were previously prohibited can now go forward. The state of California has
5 Important Services an Architect Provides
This post first ran in 2018. Many people think of an architect as someone who designs large, important buildings – a visionary who dreams up new and bold designs, like New York’s Guggenheim Museum (Frank
Why You Need to Work with an Architect
This post first ran in 2017. Several times a month, I find myself in some variation of a phone or email conversation with a prospective client that starts like this: Client: Hi. My contractor suggested
The Architectural Design Process
Note: This post first ran in October 2019. The architectural design process can seem bewildering to clients – there are so many decisions to be made, so many tasks to complete, so many people involved.
Shelter-in-Place and Your Building Project
Like many of you, I’m currently working from home, under a shelter-in-place order due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Several of my clients have had questions regarding what to do about their building projects during the
Architectural Design Process – Step 5: Construction Administration
The design development is complete, the construction documents are done, and you’ve selected a contractor. Congratulations! You’re moving into one of the most exciting phases of your architectural design project: construction. During this phase, contractors will begin the task of
Architectural Design Process – Step 4: Bidding
During the bidding phase of your architectural design project, your architect can help you select the contractors who will build your dream. Once your design has been finalized, you’ll need to send design documents to
Architectural Design Process – Step 3: Construction Documents
Once the design development phase is complete, it’s time to move on to step three in the architectural design process: creating the construction documents. Construction Documents Purpose The construction documents represent the completed design for
Architectural Design Process – Step 2: Design Development
After the schematic design is completed, the next step in the architectural design process is the design development. Design Development Purpose While the schematic design’s purpose is to provide an overview of the building or
Architectural Design Process – Step 1: Schematic Design
The first step in the architectural design process is the schematic design. After the initial consultation with the client, the architect should come away with an idea of the overall concept and scope of the
The Architectural Design Process
The architectural design process can seem bewildering to clients – there are so many decisions to be made, so many tasks to complete, so many people involved. Part of my aim with this blog is
Who Does What in a Small Building or Remodeling Project?
Any building or remodeling project involves a team of professionals. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, the team can range from just a single architect and contractor to a host of architects,
Making the Most of Your Architect Consultation
So you’ve decided on a project and checked out the websites of a few local architects, and now it’s time for your initial architect consultation. Whether you’re taking advantage of a free consultation or paying
When Do You Need an Architect?
When people find out I’m an architect, they almost always want to talk about their projects. Whether it’s a home remodel, a new retail space for their business or a new commercial building, one of
Working with an Architect – Your Questions Answered
This post previously ran in 2016. Starting a large building or remodeling project can seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never worked with an architect before. You’ll probably have lots of questions about timing, process
Get Through Your Commercial Building Project Without Losing Your Mind
A commercial building project is complex. It often involves a large team of people with different skills, time pressures and communication styles. When you add the worries any entrepreneur has when building a new business
What to Look for When You’re Hiring an Architect
Hiring an architect for your project is like choosing a doctor – you want an ideal mix of expertise, experience, ethics and bedside manner. So what are the most important things to look for when
7 Building Project Mistakes Clients Make That Cost Time and Money
In my 30-plus years as an architect, I’ve dealt with almost every kind of problem that can come up during a building project. There are a few that come up over and over, delaying projects,
5 Important Services an Architect Provides
Many people think of an architect as someone who designs large, important buildings – a visionary who dreams up new and bold designs, like New York’s Guggenheim Museum (Frank Lloyd Wright) or Chicago’s Aqua tower
Why Your Architect Should Supervise Your Construction Project
As an architect, I like to think of remodeling and building projects as a symphony. All the sections of the orchestra – the strings, the brass, the percussion – use their unique skills to work
Why You Need to Work with an Architect
Several times a month, I find myself in some variation of a phone or email conversation with a prospective client that starts like this: Client: Hi. My contractor suggested I contact you. Me: How can
Top 5 Reasons to Get a Building Permit
Permits are among the top things people complain about when planning a building or remodeling project. It’s understandable: permits are sometimes a pain to get, they cost money, and they slow things down just when
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Remodeling Project
A major remodeling project brings with it lots of different emotions. Excitement. Frustration. Anger. Elation. If you’re doing a major building or remodeling project, chances are you’ll experience all these emotions – and more –
Working with an Architect – Your Questions Answered
Starting a large building or remodeling project can seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never worked with an architect before. You’ll probably have lots of questions about timing, process and cost, and a host of others