Private Residences

PROCESS_private residences

PRIVATE RESIDENCES: DESIGN PROCESS OUTLINE

INITIAL MEETING

  • Review designer qualifications & process
  • Ensure Client & Designer are comfortable with personality fit
  • Discuss scope of project, goals and objectives
  • If possible, 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 size of project)

CONCEPT

  • Meet to discuss:
    • aesthetic – look at images collected by Client and Designer, identifying consistencies in preferences and dislikes
    • function – discuss requirements for individuals who will be living in the space, including pets, such as for kitchens
    • budget – determine general price ranges such as laminate vs. stone counters
    • establish priorities on a wish list of items to be incorporated, including planning the space for future built-in millwork even if budget does not allow its construction at present
    • timeline for construction
  • 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
  • The majority of products are normally confirmed at the first meeting as they are based on a strong concept description
  • 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 drawings help client visualize the final product. Cabinet shop drawings will be more rudimentary and difficult to understand. Design details give us more ability to control the final outcome and lessen the margin for misunderstandings and error in the fabrication process.
  • Planning ahead by drafting these details allows us to verify that we can incorporate functional requirements into kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Drawings alert us to things we might not think of until the time of installation and help us 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

  • Preparation and presentation of items in Scope of Work
  • Respond to client calls and emails
  • Ensure all items followed up on in timely fashion and details forwarded to contractor
  • 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 cabinetry shop dwgs