Architectural Design:
Sustainable & Energy Efficient
Integrated Approach with a Collaborative 5-Phase Process
Every project involves all key members of the design team at the very early stages. Their input and evaluations enable a much smoother and well balanced integration of all the building systems, which in turn results in a more efficiently designed, better constructed, more comfortable and healthier building with significantly lower operational costs and with greater environmental performance.
The basic phases of the design process traditionally remain the same. However, we typically spend more time on the Schematic Design and Design Development phases, which can potentially reduce the overall timeline significantly.
1. Pre-Design Planning
It starts with you and listening very carefully. It is imperative for us to get to know you and to learn what your goals and expectations are for the project. These may range from the smallest of details to more far reaching impacts the project will have. Understanding your aspirations, requirements and limitations, as well as determining the scope of work and documenting existing conditions, will enable us to successfully design a custom solution for you and to transform your vision into a reality. For new buildings, we provide Property Planning where we analyze and design the site to determine the best position of the structure with respect to its environment.
2. Schematic Design
Next, we take what we’ve learned from you and translate your thoughts and visions into a conceptual design drawing for review and discussion. The renderings we can produce with our state-of-the-art digital modeling software enable you to truly imagine yourself within the structure. This approach also provides the opportunity to expedite design decisions regarding the style and feel of the spaces. For some projects, we find it beneficial to generate a sun Sun Study. Sun and shade play an important role in design and help us to determine how buildings can be passively heated and cooled, and where daylight can be used for natural lighting.
3. Design Development
As the design begins to take shape, the conceptual design drawings are translated into two-dimensional floor plans as well as three-dimensional elevations. We can even create a virtual video to help you navigate through the various spaces of your dream structure. Materials from roofing, siding and windows to flooring and finishes are selected. And, the coordination of systems such as structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing begins.
4. Construction Documents
Once the design is approved, the building plans and specifications of systems, site utilities, materials and components are all finalized. This comprehensive set of Construction Documents also includes instructions to the contractor on how the various systems comprising the project should be integrated during the construction phase and can be universally understood. They also enable the necessary permits to be obtained, and they provide the basis for developing an accurate construction cost proposal.
5. Pre-Construction Planning
Finally, we develop a detailed construction cost proposal and schedule with start date, completion date and milestones identified. This enables Clients to know how long it will take to build the architectural design and the true cost of constructing the design.
We also offer Construction Management Services on select projects, which helps to ensure that the design you’ve approved is being built as intended. Clients often benefit from our integrated approach because it allows us to develop designs that create value for them right from the start, rather than trying to engineer value into the project after the construction has already begun, which often requires additional time and financial resources. As your builder, INTEGRATA would begin securing subcontractors and vendors during the Pre-Construction Planning phase.
