The work of Design Alliance Architects is to deliver design excellence within the control of budget and program. We manage projects to achieve optimum architectural quality, efficient use of resources, and best value. We understand the importance of dialogue with the people who invite us to design their buildings, to ensure the delivery of a project that aligns with the delivery expectations. We believe that our projects are undertaken with continuity of thought within the design process. The practice commits itself to any project we undertake, for the benefit of the project and our clients.
Programming > Conceptual & Schematic Design > Design Development > Construction Documents > Construction Administration
Architectural programming is a research and decision-making process that happens before the design phase of a building project. It's a crucial step that helps architects and owners establish the project's goals, design criteria, and performance requirements. The process involves gathering input from clients, end-users, and other stakeholders to create a plan that meets everyone's needs.
Schematic design is the first phase of the architectural design process, where a project team translates a concept into physical drawings of a space. The process involves exploring many ideas to achieve the best design solutions, and the result is a set of rough drawings with several design options that provide a general overview of the project's basic features.
Schematic design documents may include:
+ Site plans
+ Preliminary building plans
+ Perspective sketches
Design development is a process that involves refining the schematic design to make it more detailed and accurate. This helps ensure that cost estimates are accurate, which is important for getting the right bid. During design development, architects and their consultants may:
+ Analyze interior and exterior materials, including finishes, and provide a cost estimate
+ Work with consultant engineers to analyze the life cycle costs of systems and equipment + Make choices about technology, lighting, furniture, and signage
+ Create compliance documents to ensure the design meets local building codes and regulations
Design Development documents may include:
+ Building Code analysis
+ Site plans Building plans
+ Exterior Elevations and Building Sections
+ Perspectives
+ Finish Schedule and Index
+ Some exterior and interior details
+ Specifications and engineering design criteria
The purpose of construction documents is to get the design built. These are contract binding documents that describe precisely how the design shall be built: methods, materials, building systems, and components. The construction documents describe precisely, in both large and small scales, every facet of the building design. Construction documents provide the Contractor with the most comprehensive understanding of the Architect’s intent.
Construction Documents may include:
+ Building Code analysis
+ Site plans and details
+ Building plans and enlarged floor plans
+ Exterior Elevations and Building Sections
+ Perspectives
+ Finish Schedule and Index
+ Door Schedule
+ Door, door frame, partition, and window types
+ Exterior and interior details
+ Interior Elevations Reflected ceiling plan, and in some cases electrical layout
+ Specifications and engineering design criteria
+ Structural drawings
Construction administration deals with overseeing that the construction contract is being adhered to throughout preconstruction and execution. Construction administration is present at all phases of a construction project to ensure that the agreement defined in the contract between the owner and the general contractor is being met.
Therefore, construction administration focuses on the completion of the contract, which provides what must be done for that contract to be fulfilled. Construction Administration may include:
Construction Administration may include:
+ Regular visits to the job site
+ Review payment applications
+ Review submittals and shop drawings
+ Review change orders
+ “Punch-List”
