The Architect’s Design Phases

1. Schematic Design:

Schematic design is the first phase. In this step, an architect talks with the client to determine the

project requirements and goals. The architect usually starts with rough study drawings that illustrate the

basic concepts of the design. This most often includes spatial relationships as well as basic scale and forms

the owner might desire. Also, initial research of jurisdictional regulations is completed at this time. Initial

cost estimations are also investigated based on total project size and complicity.

Schematic Design often produces rough drawings of a site plan, floor plans, elevations and often

illustrative sketches or computer renderings.

South Elevation Plan

https://canadiantimberframes.com/understanding-the-architects-design-phases-schematic-design-design-development-

construction-documents
2. Design Development:

Design development collects the results from the schematic design phase and takes them one step

further. This phase involves finalizing the design and specifying such items as materials, window and door

locations and general structural details.

Design development usually yields a more detailed site plan as well as floor plans, elevations and

section drawings with full dimensions.

In Design Development the architect and owner will work together to select materials including

interior finishes and products such as windows. doors, fixtures, appliances, etc… The architect will revise

the drawings with more specificity and detail than in Schematic Design. Engineering will commence on the

structure, plumbing, electrical, heating/ventilation systems, energy analysis and any other project specific

systems.

Development house Render

- https://canadiantimberframes.com/understanding-the-architects-design-phases-schematic-design-design-development-

construction-documents
3. Construction Documents:

Once the architect and client are comfortable with the drawings produced from the design

development phase, they can move on to the construction documents. The construction document phase

produces drawings with much more detail which are used for the construction of your project. These

drawings typically include specifications for construction details and materials. Once the CDs are

completed, the architects send them to contractors for pricing or bidding as well as to the building

department for required permit approvals.

Construction documents often include a complete set of architectural drawings (site plan, floor

plans, sections, details, etc.) that are combined with structural drawings (and possibly mechanical and

electrical drawings) that have enough detail for the contractor to build your project.

Development house Render

- https://canadiantimberframes.com/understanding-the-architects-design-phases-schematic-design-design-development-

construction-documents
4. Bidding:

Bidding should be self explanatory. At this time the owner prepares to select the contractor for the

job and sign contracts to proceed with construction. This will typically take up 5% of the architects time

and fees. Multiple contractors submit bids on the job or the client can directly hire a contractor without

getting competitive bids The architect’s role here will be to assist the client. We will answer contractor’s

questions, provide any additional documentation if requested by the contractor. This phase can be started

at the beginning of the project. You do not need to wait until all of the construction documents are completed

but the price will be more accurate if you do.

If you have an exact budget in mind at the beginning of the process, we may recommend you hire

a contractor early to consult. The GC can and review the schematic design, design development, and

construction drawings from the beginning in order to ensure the project is within the specified budget. Only

a contractor can guarantee a price for construction. Architects and cost estimators who provided budgets

cannot guarantee those prices, but can provided and educated budget price.

5- CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION (CA)

The Construction Administration phase of our services is the last phase and accounts for about

20% of the architect's time and fees on a project. Even though this phase is the longest scheduled phase, it

is not the majority of the architect's work. On most projects we do NOT supervise construction. We will

periodically visit the job site to see progress and ensure the contractor is following the plans per the

architectural design intent. However, if requested, we can review contractor's monthly invoices to confirm

work completion.
 We will be available to answer questions and provide additional information to issues that arise.

During this phase it is common that some additional services for the architect arise due to change orders

to address any unknown field conditions as they arise. Our attention during this phase will ensure the

smooth and satisfactory completion of your project. Our ultimate goal as an architect is to help turn your

dream into reality.

On life, House construction

- https://canadiantimberframes.com/understanding-the-architects-design-phases-schematic-design-design-development-

construction-documents
II. CONCEPTUALIZATION TECHINQUES OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

A design concept in architecture may start as a philosophy, a powerful idea, or a simple set of

guidelines. From there, it slowly evolves into a conceptual design for the project that becomes a roadmap

or guide to follow throughout the rest of the project.

What is a concept?

Concept: Definition

an abstract idea

a plan or intention

an idea or invention to help sell or publicize a commodity

idea, notion, theory, conviction, opinion

Concept Sketch – Frank Gehry

http://williambellamyinfluences.blogspot.com
 A concept is an idea, a theory or notion, but in architecture we could also describe a concept as ‘an

approach’ to the design. When we think of an architectural concept, we think of an abstract idea, one that

is unchanging throughout the design process. This is not necessarily the case, a concept can be linked to

many factors, and can evolve as the design grows.

Architectural concepts are the designers way of responding to the design situation presented to

them. They are a means of translating the non-physical design problem into the physical building product.

Every project will have critical issues, central themes or problem essences, and the general issues of

designing a building can be approached in a number of ways.

A design concept is the basic DNA of a project.

A design concept is the big picture idea for the project. It shows the overall design intent and

provides direction for everyone on the project team from the early schematic design phase all the way

through construction. Having a unified and cohesive design concept makes all future decisions easier, also.

When you can summarize your project into a well-thought-out design concept, you can actually do less

thinking later because all the big decisions have already been made and you know they meet your project

requirements.

All you have to do is follow the plan. But it’s critical to nail down the design concept and stick to

it. If you don’t stick to it, you risk creating a project that looks pieced together, doesn’t flow right, and all-

around doesn’t look consistent. A good design concept solves big complex problem. The design concept is

the solution to a complex puzzle.

 Approaches to the design

There are several areas the designer may focus on at the early stages of design that will begin to

inform the concept and direction. These areas may be drawn upon throughout the project, weaved into one

another, as the project develops. The approaches can be categorised as:

 Functional

 Material

 Contextual

 Conceptual

 Formal

 Collaborative

 Philosophical

The aforementioned themes can be combined and shifted to expand and explore the different

approaches to the development of design and concept.

Contexts for Concept Getting

1. Functional

Should we approach the design with function at the forefront of our minds? Does the project have

more necessity for the functional elements rather than the aesthetic appearance of the building? There are

certainly some types of buildings that we would make function high up on our priority list. For example, a

factory will have quite particular functional requirements, or if designing a hospital we would want to

ensure that the building can be used effectively above anything else.
 McLaren Tech Centre

– https://www.aol.co.uk/2010/07/07/cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness-autoblog-visits-

mclaren/?guccounter=1

2. Material

We may approach our design looking at the materials of the structure as part of our early concept.

By focusing on a specific material, we will be naturally led towards particular forms of construction, thus

creating a type of appearance organically.

Perhaps we select a material approach based on our site context, which suggests a historical use of

a particular material, which we want to use in a more innovative way. By selecting local materials, it will

give the local visitors a sense of comfort and familiarity, whilst also giving a nod to the natural surroundings

and environmental benefits of sourcing locally.

 St Peter House – Proyecto Cafeina & Estudio Tecalli

https://www.archdaily.com/893830/mexican-houses-that-show-the-many-ways-to-use-bricks

3. Contextual

A contextual approach to our concept will look at the context of the site and surroundings, the

historical features of the area, the people that occupy the area. After all, pretty much all architecture is for

people. With this type of concept, we draw heavily once again from our site analysis, exploring the data we

have collected about the site, both physical and non physical.

Every project should have an element of a contextual approach, as every design should consider its

context, site and surroundings. Some designs may focus more on this than others, and some may take this

as the most important factor in design.

 A contextual approach to a design does not always mean it will sit harmoniously in its surroundings.

The architect may choose to turn the buildings back on the context, or perhaps create a contrast between

the old and the new. There are a number of approaches to the contextual concept.

4. -Conceptual

A conceptual approach to a design is looking at the idea of conceptual architecture. This suggests that every

part of the project is about the concept. The sole focus of the design is about the idea, rather than a

combination of approaches and processes. Conceptual architecture is sometimes never built, but rather

designed as a form of thought provocation, exploration of ideas.

5. Formal

A formal approach to design looks at drawing on the formal language of architecture to develop a concept.

We look to architecture from the classical period to inform our approach to developing the formal rules of

our design. The classical orders are one of the earliest systems of architectural language, which give

formality to proportion, scale and form.

Although the design may not be classical in its style, it may be that the formal rules of proportions, scale,

the golden section and so on are translated into a contemporary building.

 6. Collaborative

Most projects can be considered to be collaborative. Whether there is a large design team working on the

different aspects of the building, there is also the client, stakeholders, engineers, surveyors, contractors and

many more people involved in the design. However, the end user of the building is one of the important

parts of the puzzle that often is not directly involved in the design process.

Some architects are starting to take the approach that the end user is the expert in the requirements of the

building, and engaging in a collaborative exercise that sees the end user contributing to the design process.

This is particularly popular with projects that have a large community or social focus, where the skills and

knowledge of the building users can be included in the development of the project.

7. Philosophical

Another approach to architectural concepts is to consider your design philosophy. This is a set of values

you use to inform your design. The values could be the life values of the designer, or could be a reflection

of the design brief or context of the site, or indeed a combination of all three.

You could investigate some of the following statements:

8. artistic vs. scientific

9. rational vs. irrational

10. personal vs. universal

11. visual vs. non visual

12. needs vs. wants

13. individual vs. society

Then you can go on to look at your values in terms of design. How do these values work with the design

problems you face on this particular project?

 ordered vs. random

 structured vs. unstructured

 objective vs. subjective

 one answer vs. multiple solutions

 creative vs. conservative

 specific vs. general

 man vs. nature

 complexity vs. simplicity

 design for now vs. design for the future

 patterned process vs. random process