Architecture Design Creating a building is a long process. Breaking down an architecture project into design phases helps you organize your project into more manageable steps. In this guide, we will go through in-depth from the reason we need a design process to the architectural design phases.
It Helps You Manage The Project Easily.
You’ve been awarded the project congratulations now what? Most architects go through several design phases to reach a finished project. You will probably have several projects going on at once. Having formal, step-by-step design phases helps your project management process go more smoothly.
It Manages Client’s Expectations.
Building a new home or business can be intimidating even for clients who have built several buildings already. They want to make sure they get it right and they usually are ruled by their budget. A building isn’t something easy to fix or change after it’s been built.
If this is their home, emotions can run high. A structured process with these typical design phases will help alleviate those fears. Your clients will feel like you have it all under control and trust you.
What Are The 5 Phase Of A Design Project?
1. Programming Phase Of Design.
The first step in the architectural design phase, the programming or the pre-design phase, is problem-seeking. During this time, you are determining the scope of work to be designed.
No actual design is being developed at this design phase. You will mainly ask your clients questions to gain an understanding of their problems, wants, and needs. This is also where the research and decision-making process happens.
According to the standard American Institute of Architects agreements, the owner is responsible for the programming phase. Sometimes they will do this phase themselves. Usually, they will hire a programming consultant.
2. Six-Step Programming Process.
- Research the project type
Establish the types of spaces, number of square feet per person or unit, the relationship of the spaces, ratios of net assignable square footage to gross square footage, cost, and site requirements typical for the type of project. - Establish goals and objectives
Look at all the goals the owners might have for building the organizational goals, the form and image goals, the function goals, the economic goals, the time goals, and the management goals.
Here are some questions you can ask in this early design phase:
- How do they want the project to fit into their overall organization?
- How should the form and image of the building impact the users and surrounding areas?
- What will be the main and side uses of the building?
- What is the budget and is it firm?
- When do they want the building to be occupied?
- Are there any restrictions or requirements that will impact the design process?
- Gather relevant information
Use good questions to gain a very clear understanding of every space in the building and the client’s wants and needs. Take your time with this step the more questions you ask now, the more accurate the programming phase will be.
If the client has an existing building that serves the same purpose, use that as a springboard to nail down what the client wants and doesn’t want.
Listen to the client complain about all the issues with their current master bathroom. People often have a stronger idea of what they don’t like than what they do like.
- Identify strategies
This is when you would break out your bubble diagram. Now that you know how each room will be used, you can look at how those spaces fit together. Continue to get the owner’s input at this stage of the design phase.
Just because you think you know how the spaces should fit and flow together, doesn’t mean that is how the owner wants or needs it.
- Determine quantitative requirements
At this point of the design phase, develop a total cost for the project based on the typical cost determined in step one. Prepare the client for all the costs, not just the cost of construction, like your design fees, contingency, furniture and equipment, testing, surveying, and any other costs.
3. Schematic Architecture Design Phase.
The schematic design phase is when you start developing the basic form of the building. There will be a lot of sketching vs. formal drawings. You will likely be engaging in a lot of back and forth with clients to nail down the basic form – it can be a lot of fun.
Generally, you want to develop the floor plans, site plans, and building elevations for this design phase. This will give you a complete description of the building systems (structural, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical), and interior and exterior finishes.
4. Design Development Phase.
This design phase is when you dig into the details. Now that you have the basic idea, you can begin to refine them. If the schematic design phase produced several design options, now is the time for the client to pick one.
You will be looking at specific materials in this phase and evaluating them for beauty, durability, and price. This is when your client will be selecting the materials for countertops or shower tiles.
This part of the process can be fun for some clients and a total nightmare for others. Your job is to guide them through it while letting them make the decisions.
5. Construction Documents.
During this design phase, you will switch from being a service provider to providing a product with two complete sets of drawings. The first set is a Permit set. This set will be sent to the appropriate authority in the building permit application.
The construction documents will fill in all the details and include every element of the design. The higher the quality and completeness of your documents, the more accurate bids you will get this is important during the bidding phase.
Architecture Design Bidding.
Out of all the design phases, the bidding phase is rather simple the goal is to find a construction company to build the project. You will again become a service provider and guide your client in finding the best construction company based on their qualifications and price.
Architecture Design Construction Administration.
During the construction phase typically from the Notice to Proceed to when the client occupies the building the architect provides construction oversight. This is where you are ensuring the building is constructed to the design specifications.
Pre- And During Construction Tasks.
You will be arranging and leading the pre-construction meeting and the progress meetings during construction. Any testing done, like soil or concrete testing will be reviewed by you.
You will review and approve submittals from contractors. This can include shop drawings, product data sheets, and samples. You will be reviewing and approving monthly pay requests from the contractor.
Architecture Design Post Construction Tasks.
After the construction has been completed, you will perform a final walk-through and develop a punch list. This list is any remaining items to complete the construction as specified. This is not the time to try to add on things that were not included in the scope of work.
