It starts with a list of client needs, space requirements, and relationships. Then we handle any necessary research before design begins. This includes the initial interview, documenting existing structures and site conditions, and researching applicable codes. We’ll measure your house or analyze a survey of your lot. We’ll take photos of every wall, elevation, and condition so that we can not only refer to those images as we draw but also have a great comparison when the work is completed!

During this phase, we’ll obtain accurate as-built drawings or surveys of the site and brainstorm ideas. We will consider your requirements and explore ways to achieve them while keeping in mind the existing conditions and design guidelines. This process is highly collaborative and will involve several design concepts, which can be in the form of loose sketches or digital floor plans and elevations. We will meet with you as many times as needed to discuss ideas, draw together, combine concepts, or develop new ones. After the meetings, we will send you the sketches for you to review and ask that you take some time to think about the pros and cons of each concept and provide us with your feedback.

Once we agree on a direction, we will refine the plans and elevations, determine the materials and opening sizes, and give more attention to areas that require additional thought. During this phase, we start thinking about the construction details and how the design will come together. By the end of this phase, you will have enough information to start interviewing contractors and gathering cost estimates. If you decide to hire an interior designer, this is the perfect time to find someone to collaborate with. Our ultimate goal is to work with other design professionals to create the most suitable home for you. Additionally, if the project is located in a historic overlay, we will apply for a Preservation Permit during this phase.

Once the design decisions have been finalized and a contractor has been selected, we will create more detailed drawings and notes. For every project, we schedule a Pre-Construction meeting with all involved parties, including the contractor, interior designer, homeowners, and ourselves. This meeting allows everyone to discuss revisions, details, anticipated challenges, timelines, and communication moving forward. Afterward, we finalize our set of drawings, which will be submitted for permitting and will be the set that the contractor will use to build. This phase may not be the most glamorous, but it is necessary to ensure a well-built project.

It’s important that your project is constructed according to your expectations and standards. That’s why we don't consider our job done when we hand over the drawings to the contractor. We remain available to assist with any questions or issues that may arise during the construction process, and we check in regularly to ensure that everything is going well.