Designing a custom home should be a rewarding, enriching process. Over the years we've learned the value of constant communication between the design team, the client and the contractor. Equally important is to have a structure of work that can translate into productive, timely and attractive results. Below is a basic step by step guide for designing a custom home. Renovations, additions and other types of projects will have a slightly different work flow.
Design Consultation | The wish list
Selecting your Architectural Designer
A design consultation is an initial conversation that will help us determine what type of project you're looking for. This is an important step of listening to your needs, both practical and architectural and provide valuable feedback.
Some important items to talk about will be: building size, type, architectural style, and number and types of rooms in the house, etc. It's also a good time to discuss the design process, timelines and design fees.
Site analysis | walking the site.
Evaluate opportunties as well as restrictions.
This is generally the best way to start the design the process. Our objective is to ensure the house design fits not only in the site that you've selected but in the neighborhood or land where it will be built. This site visit is a way of becoming familiar with existing architectural styles of adjacent buildings as well as their height, massing and size. Equally important is to assess existing vegetation, topography, orientation, views, sun direction, etc. The site visit is an crucial first step in determining what is important to you to ensure we take full advantage of the opportunities the site has to offer.
Conceptual Design Phase
Translating ideas into design
At this point the designer will begin to translate the client's vision into sketch form. The Conceptual Design phase is a ongoing conversation between client and designer. It's a process of bouncing ideas back and forth and exploring solutions to design challenges. This portion of the design can take from one to four weeks depending on the complexity of the project. At the end, the floor plans and elevations will be completely figured out and the design will be ready to move into the construction drawings phase.
Working Drawings Phase
Construction drafting
Once the design is complete it's time to move to the creation of detailed technical drawings. At this stage the design will become more refined. Drawings will be will be sent out to sub-trades like structural engineers and designers. Once all engineering is obtained Amaya Design will ensure that the working drawings are properly coordinated with all the received information and ready to apply for Development and Building Permits from the municipal authorities.
Permit acquisition
The last step before construction
The process of applying for Development Permit (if required) and Building Permit, is one that varies through the different municipalities. Amaya Design is familiar with the steps involved in applying for permits and will ensure the appropriate documentation is provided in order to obtain the development and building permits in a timely manner.
At this point the designer will step back and the home builder or contractor will take charge of construction. Amaya Design will continue to communicate with the contractor or builder throughout the construction process.