What exactly does an interior designer or architect do?
Check out these definitions for residential design - that our friends @Allied8 Architects compiled. Such a great list for learning the value of interior design & architecture.
01 Pre-Design
During this first phase, we assess the potential of the site and existing conditions. We consider the opportunities and challenges presented by the existing structures, topography, available access, adjacent conditions, solar orientation, and available utilities. We review any relevant code or permitting thresholds and strategize how to optimize them. These are the ‘big picture’ considerations that impact size, shape, and a preliminary budget.
Tasks might include:
Walk site and photograph existing site conditions.
Determine City of Seattle’s construction permit requirements, fees and lead time.
Determine aesthetic “look and feel” for project, review images collected by you. (We highly recommend you set up a free Pinterest or Houzz.com account and create ‘ideabooks’ that you can share with us throughout the design process).
Identify required consultants, based on permit requirements and/or alternative energy goals.
(1) Owner/Architect meeting, or as needed.
02 Schematic Design
Schematic design is a collaborative process that establishes the preliminary building massing, floor plans, circulation, relationship to yard, windows and building envelope strategies. Here we strive to prioritize ‘big moves’ into a cohesive design concept which aligns with your goals and program needs. This is when we draw and develop ‘options’ for you to respond to. Keep in mind that design is an iterative process, as opposed to a linear one, so it is common for us to land on a design that we all like after a couple of rounds of drawings and review.
Tasks / Goals might include:
Generate a few design ‘schemes’.
Determine a clear design direction prior to proceeding with Design Development.
Add furniture to plans to provide scale and ensure spaces are adequately proportioned to accommodate easy circulation and appropriately sized furniture.
If possible, employ passive design strategizes to maximize energy efficiency and natural ventilation.
Select structural engineer and coordinate basic structural engineering questions with engineer. (Structural engineering fees are not included in this proposal).
Engage consultants if required: civil engineer; geotechnical engineer; landscape architect, or passive house consultant if desired. (Consultant fees are not included in this proposal).
Engage General Contractor for review of project, to ensure alignment with budget
Owner/Architect meetings as needed.
Primary goals of site design: clear and easy access, and maximize sun exposure at outdoor living areas.
Primary goals of building design:
simplicity and proportion for any exterior massing
indoor/outdoor flow, easy circulation
propose materials: good value; practical; modern. low maintenance
energy efficiency; passive design
Drawings to include:
site plan
floor plans
primary building elevations
hand sketches, and some cursory 3D digital modeling (Sketchup, Revit and/or Lumion)
03 Design Development
Our primary role during design development is to develop design drawings for both permitting and more accurate pricing: dimensioned plans; elevations; building sections; code required documents, calculations and preliminary lighting, details; product/material; selections; and schedules. To this end, we will coordinate with all other consultants so that their work aligns with the design intent and drawing set. We submit our building permit application near the end of the design development phase.
Tasks might include:
Coordinate design with engineers, consultants and general contractor.
Adjust or refine design after pricing feedback from general contractor.
Refine design drawings for dimensionally significant components:
Windows & Doors
Stairs, Handrails & guardrails;
Cabinets, built-ins & fireplace
Project-specific Details: Deck, Porch, Roof eave
Draft and prepare permit drawings and forms.
Coordinate architectural permit documents with consultants’ permit documents.
Submit permit documents to the city of jurisdiction
Permit Drawings to include (as required by code for specific project scope)
site plan
floor plans
roof plan
building elevations (as necessary)
building or wall sections (as necessary)
interior elevations of bathrooms & kitchen
window and/or door schedule (as necessary)
04 Construction Documents
Our role during this phase is to finalize the finishes, the fixtures and the details so your project is ready for construction. We coordinate final pricing from the general contractor, and if necessary, we can engage a value engineering effort to bring the project into alignment with available budget numbers.
Tasks might include:
Draw interior elevations
Draw interior details as needed.
Draw window & door details: window & door schedule + head, sill & jamb details, as needed.
Draw door details: door schedule + head, sill & jamb details.
Create a lighting plan.
Owner/Architect meetings as needed.
05 Interior Design Documents
Design of (non-dimensionally significant) materials, finishes, products and fixtures according to clients budget, style, needs. Our bottom line commitment to you in this phase is to flush out the finishes, fixtures and details so your project is ready for construction. Examples are:
Select custom and/or pre-manufactured cabinetry color & species.
Selection and sourcing of lighting fixtures & plumbing fixtures.
Selection and sourcing of flooring materials.
Selection and sourcing of tile, grout, countertops, backsplashes, etc.
Selection and sampling of paint & stain color.
Selection of paint colors and sheens
Selection, procurement and installation of furniture, decor, window coverings and art
06 Construction Administration
Our role during this phase is to help the general contractor with any detail or condition that comes up during construction or that is not otherwise already defined. While Construction Documents address all the ‘typical conditions’, Construction Administration services allow for responding to unforeseen field conditions and the detailing of ‘unique conditions’. Our bottom line commitment to you in the construction administration phase is to be available to you, the general contractor and the sub-contractors to ensure timely construction progress.
Tasks might include:
Site visits over duration of construction as needed. Most site visits include GC and/or Owner.
Draft and issue construction details as needed.
Text and Phone call replies to subcontractors
Oversight of design details and accuracy.
07 Furniture & Decor Design
Our goal during this phase is to layout the exact furniture size & layout for the foundational items and collaborate with you to include any existing furniture pieces that will be used in the design. We will work together to research the fabrics, materials, functionality and sustainability of the furniture items that will go into your home.
You will review 2d and/or 3d renderings of the space, with furnishings & lighting included, to assist in deciding on which items you would like to purchase for your home.
We research & form relationships with all of our furniture vendors and visit them at trade shows to ensure that what you are receiving is truly high quality furniture.
Once items are finalized we handle the purchasing, tracking, shipping and installation of the items in your home on a pre-arranged “install day”.
On install day, we place the items, remove the packaging , style the decor, hang the art
We follow up with a manual with care & cleaning instructions and specification sheets for all of the items you have purchased.