When you’re about to spend many thousands (or hundreds of thousands!) of dollars on a building project, it’s worth spending a little extra time and money to make sure that you get exactly what you want. We offer a variety of options for all stages of the design process – please contact us if you think that one of the services listed below might be helpful for your project.
Consultation Many people have never worked with an architect or undertaken a building project before, so a consultation that helps you understand the potential costs, challenges, and benefits of your project is a great place to start. After meeting on site and discussing your project in detail you will receive a document recommending a design approach and next steps to help you move forward.
Feasibility Study Whether you are thinking about purchasing a piece of land or an existing structure, a feasibility study can help you understand the challenges involved in accomplishing your project goals at a particular site. You will receive an analysis of applicable codes, an outline of the work that will be needed, and diagrams showing proposed building areas.
Master Planning If you have a larger property that you would like to develop, a master plan can help you figure out what you want to construct, where you want to locate different elements, how to provide access for them, and when to construct each piece. Mapping out a bigger project like this can save a lot of time and money in logistical headaches with a little bit of advance planning.
As-built drawings If you are considering renovating or adding to an existing building, the first step is to create measured digital plans of the structure that already exists to serve as the basis for future work. These drawings can be delivered in whatever digital format you prefer to your designer or contractor.
Schematic Design develops an overall design concept, like a sketch that outlines the essential elements in a painting. At the end of the process, you will receive abstract floor plans and 3D views sufficient to illustrate the design concept, but not detailed enough for building.
Developed Design refines an initial design concept and begins to specify materials and products. For a painting, this would be like the first few layers of paint that give distinct form and shape to the elements. You will receive dimensioned floor plans, exterior elevations, building sections, door and window schedules, and a spreadsheet with preliminary materials and product selections. In most cases this drawing set can be submitted with the appropriate permit application paperwork to the local jurisdiction to obtain a building permit.
Detailed Documentation takes a developed design in the details that will enable a contractor to accurately build your project. As many of the final decisions as possible should be made in this stage. You will receive dimensioned floor plans, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, exterior elevations, building sections, wall sections, door and window schedules, interior elevations, detail plans, and a spreadsheet with material and product selections.
Contractor Selection involves meeting with contractors and subcontractors to answer their questions, issuing formal clarifications to the drawings or specifications, if necessary, and helping to evaluate bids to make sure they include everything they are supposed to. We recommend that you interview multiple licensed contractors, select one based on their qualifications, and then negotiate only with them.
Construction Observation includes a set number of visits to the site to observe the project and evaluate if the work is being done in accordance with the drawings. We will document our visits and keep you updated on progress and potential concerns.
e: aurora@formwrightdesign.com
c: 512.705.2262
FormWright Design 