Renovations and Additions

Renovations and Additions

Your home is the place where memories have been made over the years, and it is precious to you. Sometimes, however, the home you love no longer suits your needs, or it could be updated to make your life more pleasurable. A renovation of your existing home is often less expensive than buying and moving to a new house, and your house can be remodeled to accommodate the unique needs of your family. During our initial consultation, for which there is never a fee, we will listen carefully to your ideas, then make suggestions about the renovations or additions that might be made before walking you through the process of achieving the design intent. Together, we can reimagine your house to become the perfect home for you. 

Featured Projects:

How an Architect Can Help

An architect is able to bring insight and expertise that can greatly enhance every project, from large commercial ventures to small renovations. We're trained to recognize physical, spatial, and environmental possibilities. When approaching the initial design of a project, we think about how the building should be oriented in relation to the sun and what physical features of the property need to be considered. As we design, we place ourselves in the building: we consider the window and door placement in terms of how the rooms will function and be furnished. We take pride in our ability to maintain effective communication with our clients throughout the process, beginning with the initial consultation and moving through conceptual design, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration as the project is being finalized. We "build" our projects digitally and share 3-D representation with clients well before a shovel is put in the ground; this ensures a final project that aesthetically and functionally meets the expectations of the design intent. If you want to be truly happy with your project, you need an architect.

Description of Our Scope of Services:

PHASE I

BUILDING SURVEY AND SITE ANAYLSIS:

Prior to starting any design work during a renovation project, we begin by creating as-built documents of the existing building. It is important to understand the direction of the framing, the locations of the bearing walls, the location of utilities, etc. The survey also allows us the model the existing exterior which is necessary for making informed exterior design decisions.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN:

We work closely with our clients to develop a preliminary design concept. Communication between the designers and the client is paramount as we prepare preliminary floor plans and elevations, and multiple design iterations may be part of the process to ensure a plan that meets the project intent. 

PHASE II

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT: 

Upon approval of the design prepared and presented in Phase I, we continue to develop the design and prepare detailed plans and elevations along with sections and a computer model that can be used for early budget pricing. 

We use 3D models as part of our services to help clients see every aspect of their reimagined home before construction ever begins. As an additional service, our designers can create a video walk-through to allow clients to virtually experience their renovated spaces before the onset of construction.

We pride ourselves on keeping clients fully informed during Phase II, before construction documentation begins. 

PHASE III

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS:

Upon approval of the revised design in Phase II, we will prepare detailed construction plans as documentation for permits. Depending on our contract with the client, structural and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) plans may accompany architectural plans.

Architectural plans may include the following:

  • Foundation plan illustrating footings and foundations for new construction
  • Floor plans and roof plan
  • Four elevations illustrating all design changes
  • Wall sections illustrating code and permit requirements
  • Appropriate building sections
  • Notes, Square footage, and Volume calculations for permit
  • ResCheck for permit

PHASE IV

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION:

This phase involves the ongoing support of the design team throughout the construction process, including site visits and shop drawing reviews, to ensure that the project is completed properly and your renovation project is perfect!

 

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