We offer a diverse set of solutions, from concept to completion, to meet all your design and construction needs. Our team of skilled architects is dedicated to delivering excellence in every project, ensuring a seamless blend of functionality, aesthetics and sustainability. Explore our architectural services and discover how we can bring your architectural dreams to life.
Our Services
Site Planning: Site Planning typically involves the organization, evaluation, and site plan permit considerations regarding land use, zoning, access, circulation, privacy,security, lighting, shelter, drainage, and other factors. Site Planning represents an early opportunity to articulate the larger organizing principles of each building: its spaces, infrastructure, and landscape.
Schematic Design: The Schematic Design (SD) is where the relevant project source information is gathered. It involves the detailed consideration of three key constituent project criteria: Program, Context and Budget.
The "Program" may best be described as a laundry list of spaces (and equipment) necessary for the functional fulfillment of any given project objective.
The "Context" refers to considerations that may include the physical project location; specific site features including the built or natural environment; and cultural, stylistic or other related design objectives.
The "Budget," which is critical to determining a project’s viability and to meeting collective expectations. As mentioned above, clear articulation and evaluation of the interrelationship of these three pieces becomes essential in informing the design process and achieving a truly successful project outcome.
Design Development: The Design Development (DD) phase is all about translating the early SD planning goals into a buildable form that can be quantified (and priced) on paper. It is where the two-dimensional organizational considerations of the SD programming are translated into a three-dimensional architectural form. While the SD focuses on broad goals and larger concepts, the DD focuses these ideas into realistic and tangible options. It is at this stage that building code compliance and preliminary cost considerations are typically evaluated and factored into the decision making process.
During the DD, a client may be presented with a handful of viable options, each with various pros and cons. It is during this stage that the architect and client scrutinize their options and select the best one for further development. We like to think of the design process as funnel shaped. At the beginning the widest area of options and possibilities are considered. As decisions are made, the process develops into a unique outcome, representing an optimized solution.
A completed set of DD plans typically includes scaled building plans, elevations, and at least one detailed building section, with sufficient information that an experienced builder may generate an informed and achievable preliminary contract proposal.
Code Compliance Review: As licensed architects we offer a range of professional consulting services, including New York State International Building Code (IBC) comment and review.
Bid Solicitation and Evaluation: Typically regarded as part of the Contract Administration Services phase, we often find that this is such an important part of getting a project built, that (for some projects) we encourage early dialogue with potential bidders through the DD phase. Our collective experience with qualified local builders are of vital significance in being able to achieve completed projects on time and on budget.
Permit/Contract Document Preparation: This is where the design intent described in a completed set of DD documents is translated into a legal and enforceable set of documents that define the scope of work sufficient for permits and contract purposes. Of key contractual significance is the coordination and review of any third party structural and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services as may be necessary. At a minimum, a completed set of Contract Documents (CDs) would consist of sufficient documented information as necessary to obtain a building permit.
Contract Administration Services: These services can cover a range of tasks as may be necessary to execute the CDs. These services typically include bid solicitation/evaluation as well as contract preparation and construction supervision including evaluation and administration of contract payments. We typically recommend following standard AIA practice (including document formats), as these are widely accepted and familiar across the industry. Through the terms of the contract we are typically authorized to act on behalf of the client as their legal representative and charged to ensure that the work being completed is in accordance with the contract documents.