Development Projects

PROCESS_development

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: DESIGN PROCESS OUTLINE

INITIAL MEETING

  • Review designer qualifications & process
  • Ensure client & designer are comfortable with personality fit
  • Discuss scope of project, goals and objectives
  • Client supplies a floor plan for designer’s reference while drafting fee proposal

FEE PROPOSAL

  • Fixed fee proposal provided with detailed Scope of Work
  • Written approval of proposal forms a contract for design services
  • Client provides deposit to initiate work (typically $1000 depending on Scope of Work)

CONCEPT

  • Meet to discuss:
    • aesthetic – target market & sales info
    • function – discuss functional requirements to be included as selling features, often for kitchens
    • budget – determine general price ranges such as laminate vs. stone counters
    • time restrictions – timeline for submitting specifications, drawings, display set-up
  • Designer establishes guiding concept with a written summary and images, describing the feeling of the environment to be created, along with a pragmatic summary of how to execute the selection of finishes and fixtures and the design of the physical layout
  • Upon Client approval of concept, Designer proceeds with product selection

PRODUCT SELECTION

  • Designer selects finishes & fixtures based on approved concept
  • Products presented using samples & images
  • Any items for revision are noted and a time determined for follow-up meeting to finalize selections

SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT

  • Specification document drafted based on above selections and coded to coordinate with drawings
  • Document will be expanded as detail drawings proceed with the addition of kitchen insert hardware, washroom accessory quantities, etc.

DRAWINGS

  • Typical Scope of Work lists types of details included
  • Example drawings illustrate how drawings are coded to refer to the spec document
  • Design details give us more ability to control the final outcome and lessen the margin for misunderstandings and error in the fabrication process.
  • Drawings alert us to things we might not think of until the time of installation and help avoid problems. Just a few for example:
    • will the door casing run into a counter top or need to be cut to fit a tight corner?
    • will the refrigerator door fail to open all the way because it is located too close to a wall?
    • is there adequate wall space to place towel bars within easy reach of sink?
    • can furniture be placed in a functional manner with adequate clearance in traffic zones?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

  • Respond to client calls and emails
  • Respond to on-site inquiries regarding issues such as mantel details, changes to lighting layout due to truss location, added bulkheads due to mechanical details
  • Review installations
  • Review shop dwgs

DISPLAY SUITES

  • Profile is drafted for an imagined client including names, ages, occupations, hobbies and style preferences for the occupants of the home
  • Style concept is established to create consistency from room to room
  • Colour palettes and texture or pattern combinations are established for each room, consistent with the established style concept
  • Planning & selection of:
    • furniture & millwork
    • paint, wall covering & window treatments
    • accessories & artwork
    • outdoor décor
    • electronics & movies/music
  • Coordination of delivery & installation