Learning about project stages - Part 1
Monday, 31 January 2011 05:26
1) Spatial Analysis and concept developmentBased on the ideas that you were able to organize with the help of our initial tips for creating a new project, you will be able to hold an initial meeting with your architect to explain what your wishes are regarding the type of home that you want to have, the spaces that you need, and the lifestyle that you want the home to respond to.
From this information and after a site visit, then we start with developing a spatial relationship diagram, room sizing tables, and developing conceptual ideas for the creation of the project. At this stage we are concentrating on analyzing ideas and choosing the best concept that will integrate with the spatial needs with the style and massing that is best for the design.
2) Architectural Design
This is the main creative stage of the project. Based on the choices in the first stage of the project, then we start creating the real design and is where we balance art and science to create a stunning masterpiece that is custom-designed to its owner, and that is also the best solution for the site and budget.
At this stage, the drawings provided is what we call DD Drawings (or Design Development Drawings). They will include floor plan layouts, site design, section drawings, etc. This stage will have a few revisions with the client, where the project is developed and refined up to a point of having the optimum masterpiece of a design tailored specifically for that client.
At this stage we start leveraging the power of BIM (Building Information Modeling) Software in our designs, and it will show in our first final presentation, where you will not only have photo-realistic renderings of the design, but also a real-time virtual model of the design that you can walk through or fly around in your own personal computer.
Below are some examples of DD Drawings from the Architectural Design stage.
| EXAMPLE OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SECTION DRAWING |
| EXAMPLE OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FLOOR PLAN DRAWING |
| EXAMPLE OF PROJECT PHOTO-RENDERING |
3) Construction Drawings
After the client approves the architectural design, then we start the more technical stage of the project, and start development of what are called CD Drawings (or Construction Document Drawings). Here we bring in the engineering trades necessary for the project, such as structural, mechanical, electrical, HVAC, etc., engineering and start the very difficult and time-consuming task of coordinating the different needs and priorities of these engineering teams.
At the same time, we refine our own architectural design and take it to the next level with full technical drawings, design and drawing of specific details, creation of schedules, etc., which usually produce a large set of final drawings.
It is important for the client to realize that any changes in the project that are requested in the CD stage will be more difficult, time-consuming, and may involve extra expenses, since at this stage already work is being done by multiple teams into the different trades of the project. So something that may seem as trivial as moving a wall, will involve changes in foundations, structure, architecture, electrical, HVAC, etc., which then all have to be re-coordinated.
Below, see examples of CD Drawings of construction documents stage.
| EXAMPLE OF CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS FLOOR PLAN |
| EXAMPLE OF CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS SECTION DRAWING |
You can now understand the difference in the level of work and detail between the types of stages in the project and the drawings created for each stage. Even though the architectural design stage is the creative stage, where the heart and soul of the project is created, in this stage is where changes and modifications are supposed to be made. that is all part of the creative process.
Making changes and modifications in the construction drawings process creates the need to make those changes in different sets of drawings from both architectural and engineering teams, and takes much more energy and time to be able to make them. Making changes at this stage of the project will more likely cause the need to have additional expenses in this design stage, which we would all prefer to avoid, both for the consultant and for the client.
