Services
Architechtural Design Packages
CORE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
We believe that the ability to work with an architect should be available to anyone looking to build their dream home, therefore we offer a basic level of services that gives a client the ability to have an architect-designed home on a budget. A typical client interested in this service will already have a builder selected, land purchased, no Design Review Board (DRB) process and an interest in building a just-right sized home. This service is also available to builders looking to build a spec home without the additional detail and service typically offered to clients.
Our Core services provide you with a full set of drawings that can be used for permitting and construction. However, they are streamlined to a pre-determine number of meetings and design time and eliminate additional services.
Semi-custom ARCHITECTURAL Services
This level of service is structured for clients looking to build a custom home and be fully engaged with an architect throughout the process. A typical client interested in this service will require an architect to assist in the hiring of a builder, explore site constraints and opportunities, an interest or need for additional services, and may be interested in building a larger, more complex project.
Full Custom Architectural Services Typical (Then Support Through Construction)
Full custom design services are available for clients who are interested in working with us from the very start of project conception through the entire design and build process until the day you move in. A typical client interested in this type of service will require assistance in selecting a piece of land, have a complex and unique project in mind, require a competitive bid process, and full architectural services including interior design and construction administration.
Renovations & Additions
A renovation project can be anything from a kitchen and bath remodel to full demolition with additions. Therefore, we require a site visit and discussion to determine your scope of work before we’re able to provide an accurate set of design fees. Renovations utilize our typical design process and a set of deliverables appropriate for the project and client’s needs. TYPICAL TIME TO COMPLETE WILL, BE DETERMINED BASED ON THE SCOPE OF THE WORK AND CLIENTS REQUIREMENTS.
Design Process
Client-architect Relationship
Design Process
Fee Structure
Questionnaire
Design Process
The process of designing and constructing a new project follows several steps over a period of time. Our process follows three core steps after our initial consultation, which can be personalized or added to, to suit each project and individual client: Schematic Design, Design Development and Construction Documents.
1. Consultation
Consultation: We offer all potential clients a one on one meeting to discuss your vision and project expectations where we can provide some immediate input and feedback. This includes investigating certain site characteristics and design strategies. If a site has already been selected, then we would make a site visit to get a feel for the land and the community. During the initial consultation we also enjoy learning more about you and you about us.
Pre-Design-(Optional): This additional service is meant to bridge the gap between the initial consultation to a more formal Design Agreement if there are a set of unknowns that need to be explored before beginning Schematic Design. This service is based on an hourly rate that is reimbursable in the contracted price, if you choose to work with us. Spending a few hours can be beneficial in selecting a site or to troubleshoot a challenging site, or in the case of a renovation or an upfit, an opportunity to explore design options before agreeing to a scope of work.
2. Schematic Design (SD)
This is the initial stage of the Core design process and it lays the foundation for everything we would like to achieve through design and construction. We gather as much information from you as possible to define the program, square footage, unique features, site-related opportunities and constraints, target budget, and time frame. This helps us define the overall fit and finish of the home as well as the style of home you have in mind in order to explore design opportunities found within your proposed program and building site.
Some things we will ask you to prepare are:
To complete our questionnaire
To have a topographic and boundary survey prepared
To gather supporting documents such as design guidelines, covenants & restrictions and local zoning requirements relevant to your project.
To develop a Pinterest board or Houzz Ideabook to visually represent certain ideas or design characteristics that you gravitate towards.
We will then begin presenting sketches, floor plans and elevations. We start with initial studies of room arrangements and organizational strategies, working up to a wider scope of material to review that will culminate in a working set of floor plans and elevation renderings, and depending on the level of service, an early computer study model of your home that will help you visualize the general design and placement of the home to the site. You will approve the design direction before proceeding to the next phase.
At this point we might also choose to pause and discuss whether to begin engaging with a builder who can be a valuable team member to help us determine whether we’re within your target budget and offer a valuable outside perspective. If a builder is not selected at this time, then we can proceed through the next phase with the goal of entering into a competitive bidding process among a selection of builders.
3. Design Development
Design Development (DD): At this phase, we should expect to have a firm set of plans that define the room arrangement, characteristics of the exterior and a general siting of the house. However, we will continue to refine the design by focusing on the details and specifying materials and finishes on the interior and exterior of the project.
Documentation will also begin to shift to more technical drawings that detail assemblies and dimensions as well as complimentary drawings that show secondary aspects of the project. The final set of documents will contain enough information for a builder to accurately price the project.
We may also begin engaging with consultants who can provide detailed drawings of complementary yet required documents to construct the project. These services may include a Landscape Architect, Engineer, Interior Designer, or another specialty, depending on the needs of your project.
Before proceeding to the Construction Document phase the client will need to approve the final design, and budget provided by a contractor. If a Design Review Board (DRB) is involved, we would also need a final approval from the board to proceed. In certain situations, minor changes may need to be made to address budgetary limitations, or design changes recommended by a client, contractor, review board or consultant and will need to be completed before starting the next phase.
Contractor Procurement (DD) – Optional: If the client decides to enter into a competitive bid process, then we will assist in selecting a short list of contractors to interview and request bids from. (Please note that contractors may require fees for producing line-item budgets.)
We will assist the contractors by answering questions and providing time to meet and discuss the complexities and desired finishes of the project. We are also available to negotiate the builder’s contract, but the final selection is made by the client.
4. Construction Documents (CD)
Upon approval of the final design, and an agreement with a contractor, a final set of drawings will be compiled to submit for permitting and to be used for building the project. These drawings will go into even greater detail providing information on building systems, specifications, and details necessary to communicate all design intent to the contractor and their sub-contractors. A full set of drawings may also include the documents provided by the additional consultants for additional budgetary information and scope of work for the contractor.
There may be very little client involvement at this point since most architectural related decisions will have been made, although minor adjustments may continue to be made up through the early stages of framing.
5. Construction Administration (CA)
Once the project has been permitted and the project site is prepped for work by the contractor, the architect’s primary scope of work has been completed and the contractor becomes the primary responsible party for the project’s completion.
At a minimum, we are readily available during construction to answer questions and clarify details with the owner and contractor. We always welcome a discussion to clarify our intent before a decision is made and work commences that can’t be undone. We will have a discussion once the permit has been issued as to whether we will remain involved throughout construction, and at what level, to ensure that the contractor is following the construction documents accordingly.
Additional Services (optional Similar To Design Build With A G.C. Envolved For The Project Delivery)
Construction Administration: The client may opt to have the architect continue to work through construction to ensure the project is carried out at a high level of care and quality. This would include regularly scheduled site visits to meet with the contractor and owner to get project updates and observe finished work. Project reports and photographs documenting the work will be presented to the owner with lists of work that have been completed and action items requiring input from the architect and owner.
Requests for Information (RFI’s) submitted by the contractor are included and responded to in a timely manner. We will also review all material samples, shop drawings, contractor-issued specifications, and in certain situations, the contractor’s requests for payment. At project completion we will do a walk- through with the contractor and owner administering close-out procedures and punch lists.
Interior Design: We offer full interior design services. and will work in collaboration with our clients providing a high level of detail and service throughout the design process, hand selecting and specifying finishes, fixtures, paint colors and cabinetry. She will be in constant communication with the design team and her personally selected vendors to ensure our client’s vision is executed.
From Melissa Hurst:
WE nurture space by inspiring a deep sense of home. With an affinity for interior design, and a sensitivity to its architecture, we bring homes and commercial spaces to life. Rooted in family and a reverence for modernity, the designs that arise from our personal involvement with each client.
Our interior design services can also include design-intensive focal elements of the interior architecture such as the main fireplace, stairs or a unique built-in feature and even custom furniture.
Fee Structure
For a full set of architectural services, we offer our clients a fixed fee presented in the Design Agreement. A fixed fee gives our clients an opportunity to know exactly what they will spend on design services from day one. If additional work or services are needed under unique circumstances, they are discussed beforehand.
Our fees are generated using a price per square foot calculation and are based on our involvement in the project and the level of deliverables required. Our fees are subject to the type of project, complexity of the project, owner’s needs, and whether additional services are requested in advance.
We request a 20% retainer before work begins and bill for services rendered bi-monthly when deliverables are made. Our Design Agreement will separate a fixed fee into the three core phases of design (SD, DD, CD). Invoices will be presented upon deliverables due or a portion of completion within the corresponding phase. Our invoices are prepared and sent electronically and can be paid online.
Design Questionnaire
Below are links to questions that we hope you’ll find meaningful in describing your goals, dreams, wishes and expectations as you begin the process of designing and building your new home or renovation. You may find this list helpful to clarify your thoughts and identify priorities, or simply as a starting point in the process. While completely optional, filling out this list will be a point of reference throughout the Design Process and will help set the stage for the initial steps in designing your new home.
One of the primary reasons to work with an Architect is to rely on their expertise in finding solutions to complex problems, or by creating desired outcomes not initially conceivable. Therefore, we place more value on qualitative information, and less on quantitative. While answering these questions it might be helpful to provide an experience or a quality of life you would like to achieve.
few additional thoughts to consider as you answer these questions:
Use as many descriptive words as possible and think in terms of examples of your current home or places you used to live; even your friend’s homes or something you saw online.
Not everyone in your household will share a common vision or be able to understand how to make that vision a reality. Bring as much information as possible to the discussion. That way we can create something that works for everyone.
Don’t use this as a tool to solve a problem or reach a conclusion. Problem solving comes during the design process with the help of the design team.
Dream big. This is a significant investment for you and your family and will have an immediate impact on your quality of life.
Anticipate future needs. Think about lifestyle changes and how this home can be adapted to various stages of life.
Where necessary, provide examples. Collect and share images, sketches, or lists you’ve already put together.
Don’t answer every question. If something is not relevant or difficult to answer, skip it.
Design Questionnaire:
Below is a list of questions that we hope you’ll find meaningful in describing your goals, dreams, wishes and expectations as you begin the process of designing and building your new home or renovation. You may find this list helpful to clarify your thoughts and identify priorities, or simply as a starting point in the process. While completely optional, filling out this list will be a point of reference throughout the Design Process and will help set the stage for the initial steps in designing your new home. One of the primary reasons to work with an Architect is to rely on their expertise in finding solutions to complex problems, or by creating desired outcomes not initially conceivable. Therefore, we place more value on qualitative information, and less on quantitative. While answering these questions it might be helpful to provide an experience or a quality of life you would like to achieve.
A Few Additional Thoughts To Consider As You Answer These Questions:
- Use as many descriptive words as possible and think in terms of examples of your current home or places you used to live; even your friend's homes or something you saw online.
- Not everyone in your household will share a common vision or be able to understand how to make that vision a reality. Bring as much information as possible to the discussion. That way we can create something that works for everyone.
- Don't use this as a tool to solve a problem or reach a conclusion. Problem solving comes during the design process with the help of the design team.
- Dream big. This is a significant investment for you and your family and will have an immediate impact on your quality of life.
- Anticipate future needs. Think about lifestyle changes and how this home can be adapted to various stages of life.
- Where necessary, provide examples. Collect and share images, sketches, or lists you've already put together.
- Don't answer every question. If something is not relevant or difficult to answer, skip it.
Questions:
1. Have you ever built a home or renovated before? If so what was that experience like?
2. Have you ever worked with an architect before? If so what was that experience like?
3. Have you contacted any general contractors regarding this project already?
4. Do you want to engage in a competitive bid process or hire a general contractor early in the process that you already trust?
5. Would you be willing to do any of the construction or finishing work yourself? For example, painting, staining, cabinetry, or landscaping.
6. Is there a certain way you would like to work with us? Is there anything we need to be sensitive to?
7. What forms of communication do you prefer?
8. Do you intend to live remotely during the design and construction process?
9. Please provide any additional details or information we didn’t cover.
10. What questions do you have for us?
Construction
1. Do you have a clear picture of your budget? Include details if possible. (Construction budget doesn’t include design fees, engineering fees, cost of land, utility hookups, and permitting fees.)
2. What is your timeline and schedule like? Do you have any constraints or concerns?
3. Have you obtained a boundary and topographic survey? If so, can it be provided?
4. Do you know if you’ll need a septic or if this has sewer hookup?
5. Will you need to drill for well water or is it connected to a local water supply?
6. Are you building in a development that has Design Guidelines with a review board that meets regularly to approve a set of plans?
Program Requirements
1. In general, how do you envision this home being laid out? Do you like an open floor plan, a formal arrangement of rooms with specific functions, or something in between? Please describe and use previous places you’ve lived as a reference point.
2. What relationships between rooms and spaces are important? For example, I want the mud room near the kitchen, master bedroom must be private and secluded, or I want a home office above the garage.
3. Do you enjoy cooking and spending a lot of time in the kitchen? If so, please describe how this kitchen will need to function.
4. What connections to the outdoors are important to consider for this home?
5. Do you currently have too much of one space or room and not enough elsewhere?
6. Do you have any rooms or spaces that need to be private and quiet?
Space Requirements
1. Will this home be smaller or bigger than the current place you live? Roughly what size home do you anticipate building?
2. How many bedrooms would you like to have, and roughly what size would each bedroom be? Please list.
3. How many bathrooms would you like to have? Are any of these exclusive to an adjacent bedroom? Please list and provide general room dimensions.
4. For your main living areas (Kitchen, Living, and Dining) please provide rough room sizes. Do you intend to have additional formal rooms?
5. What outdoor spaces would you like for your home? (For example, front porch, deck, screened porch, or patio.) Please list and provide rough sizes.
6. Would you like a garage? If so, what size and will this be detached or attached?
7. Please provide additional rooms and sizes not already listed. (For example, den, office, rec. room, theater room, laundry, etc.)
8. Do you have any storage requirements?
Features
1. What are the essential priorities of this home? For example, you may want a larger home for a growing family or downsizing if later in life.
2. Are there special features that will need to be incorporated into the design? For instance, cathedral ceilings, a wood burning stone fireplace, or passive solar.
3. Do you like having Built-ins? For example, built-in benches in a mud room, media center in your living room, or a series of bookshelves in a hallway.
4. Where is the primary gathering spot in your current home? Do you anticipate this changing with your new home? Is there anything unique that would encourage a specific place for gathering?
5. Do you own any equipment that needs to be incorporated into the design?
6. Have you contacted any general contractors regarding this project already?
7. Do you want to engage in a competitive bid process or hire a general contractor early in the process that you already trust?
8. Would you be willing to do any of the construction or finishing work yourself? For example, painting, staining, cabinetry, or landscaping.
9. Is there a certain way you would like to work with us? Is there anything we need to be sensitive to?
10. What forms of communication do you prefer?
11. Do you intend to live remotely during the design and construction process?
12. Please provide any additional details or information we didn’t cover.
13. What questions do you have for us?
Construction
1. Do you have a clear picture of your budget? Include details if possible. (Construction budget doesn’t include design fees, engineering fees, cost of land, utility hookups, and permitting fees.)
2. What is your timeline and schedule like? Do you have any constraints or concerns?
3. Have you obtained a boundary and topographic survey? If so, can it be provided?
4. Do you know if you’ll need a septic or if this has sewer hookup?
5. Would you like to learn more about using southern exposure for passive solar heat gain and daylighting? Have you considered concrete floors to build mass for radiant heat gain?
6. What kind of heating and cooling systems are you familiar with and would like to incorporate into your home?
7. Are you familiar with third party ratings systems such as LEED for Homes, Energy Star, and state supported ratings such as Green Built Homes? Would you like to know more about these programs and how to register?
Style
1. Which architectural styles that you’re drawn to or want to know more about? Please describe and attach or send photos.
2. Describe your taste in design? Is it formal, traditional, modern, minimalist, contemporary, farmhouse, or perhaps a combination.
3. Is there an overall message you want your home to convey?
4. Do you have colors you love? Do you like it to be bright and bold, or earthy and neutral?
5. What concerns do you have about curb appeal?
6. Do you have a set of community provided Design Guidelines that require a certain type of style?
7. Are you concerned about resale value?
Landscape / Site
1. What significant outdoor spaces are important to you? (For example, pool, tennis court, garden etc.
2. Please describe any outbuildings that should be included in the scope of work? (For instance, pool house, shed, barn, guest house etc.)
3. What natural features are on your site that we need to protect or enhance as features of the living spaces? This may include specific trees.
4. Please describe any features on your property or a neighbor’s property that we will want to screen from view?
5. you aware of any problems with zoning, codes, or steep slope conditions that may create an obstacle, please describe so we may investigate further in design?
Lifestyle
1. What leisure activities are important to you? How will this home and property support those activities?
2. What work-related activities are important to you? How will this home and property support those activities?
3. Are there any other activities related to a hobby, entertaining, religion, pets, or something else that this home and property will support regularly?
4. Do you see this home as supporting a change of lifestyle? (For instance, retirement, or empty nest) If so, please tell us how.
5. Do you currently have any personal or lifestyle issues you see this home as solving?
6. How much time do you anticipate spending at home? If this is a secondary home how much time will you spend here and at what times of year will it be occupied?
7. Do you imagine living here for the rest of your life?
Health & Relationships
1. Do you have children living with you? If so, what age?
2. Do you anticipate a friend or relative staying with you for long periods of time?
3. Do you anticipate, or have an elderly family member living with you?
4. Will you need space for children and grandchildren to stay for short periods of time?
5. Are you physically active? How will this home and property support those activities?
6. Are there any health or wellness issues that this home will need to help prevent and/or support? This may include reactions to asthma, allergies, mold, air quality, or other toxicity found in traditional building materials that will need to be avoided.
