We provide architectural design and construction administration services.

Our goal is to make the design and construction process as seamless as possible for the entire project team.

Every project is different and will have its own unique challenges and opportunities. This means that every project is looked at as a brand new endeavor. Scope of services can vary from project to project due to budgetary constraints, project approval requirements, and just simply due to the size and complexity.

Consistency comes in the way we approach a design problem, and how the solution is reached through a rigorous and collaborative design process, to how that solution is expressed; when a thorough and well-coordinated drawing set is delivered.

If you are someone who is not familiar with the design and construction industry, it can be difficult to navigate and understand all the requirements of a project.

We offer pre-construction and construction management services that help to bridge the gap and increase transparency between the design and construction teams and provide our clients all the resources and support needed for a successful project outcome.

General Design Services

  • Site planning & feasibility studies

    early project planning

  • Existing Conditions Modeling

    required during renovation / addition work

  • Design development for pricing or project approval

    low level of detail 2D drawings to express design intent

  • 3D Renderings

    explore material finishes and spatial qualities to confirm the design before the hammers start swinging

  • Permitting & Construction Documentation

    get the documentation you need to get your project up and running

  • Construction administration services

    contractor and design consultant coordination, construction oversight and supplemental instruction

Our process for every project is divided into two simple categories:

Services provided may vary depending on size and scope of project.

1: Architectural Design Services

Design services range broadly. From early concept level site sketches and feasibility studies, to fully detailed 3D renderings to confirm the design.

2: Documentation / Construction Services

Producing a thorough, well coordinated, and coherent set of construction drawings and staying involved throughout the entire construction process to ensure the design gets implemented according to plan.

1: Architectural Design Services

A: Pre-Design (PD)

  • Initial meeting to discuss goals for the project, services that are required (including design consultants), program requirements, major site constraints, budgetary constraints, etc…

  • Agree to scope of services, project requirements, design fees, and set rough schedule.

  • What does this zoning district allow? How big will the proposed project be? Are there additional requirements that need to be met or certain authorities having jurisdiction that require certain project approvals before construction can begin? What impact will this have on the overall project timeline?

  • Is there an existing structure that needs to be documented? Is there documentation that exists already? Site survey’s by a licensed professional surveyor are typically a requirement.

  • Before diving too deep into the details it is often helpful to explore dimensionally what sort of footprint and overall mass would be allowed by-right to avoid needing unnecessary project reviews and approvals.

B: Schematic Design -

Design Development (SD-DD)

  • Develop building footprint, massing, floor to floor heights, horizontal and vertical circulation components, finalize spatial relationships.

  • A variety of mediums may be used to develop design concepts further to explore how spaces are experienced, materiality of various building components, and how the building interacts with the site.

  • At any point deliverables can be produced that allow the client and/or contractor to gather additional pricing data on any of the design elements. Whether a written narrative or physical drawings, information can be gathered to assess the project’s relationship to any budgetary constraints.

  • By the end of this phase, the entire set should established and all final design files should be coordinated with the entire project team. Deliverables include, but are not limited to: floor plans (overall & enlarged), exterior elevations, reflected ceilings plans, building & wall sections, typical project details, etc…

  • By the end of this phase, the design should be almost 100% complete and will allow for finalized 3D renderings to be created to confirm the design and to be used for any project approval purposes.

  • Before the Design Phase is complete, the project must go through any and all approval processes, hearings, or reviews required by the authorities having jurisdiction. Without approval from the applicable boards or commissions, the project cannot move forward.

    This can include: Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), Planning Board, City Council, Historic Commission, Conservation Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), etc…

2: Documentation / Construction Services

A: Permitting & Construction Documentation (CD)

  • Based on the finalized and approved design, a detailed set of drawings must be created to demonstrate that the project meets all current local, federal, and environmental code requirements.

  • The finalized design must be coordinated with all design consultants involved: landscape architects, interior designers, HVAC/energy consultants and engineers, structural engineers, land surveyors, and civil engineers.

  • Regardless of any previously required approvals during the design phase, the local building authorities will need to approve the project for construction to begin. This project may require minor modifications to the project documents and should be seen as a review process that is meant to ensure the project will be managed and built to all of the proper standards of design and construction.

  • It is highly suggested that a General Contractor (GC) or builder is involved as early as possible in the process to offer the opportunity to review the design documents and offer any insights on constructibility logistics, scheduling, or product selection. Every construction team has their own approach and a different bag of resources to pull from - this should be leveraged as best as possible.

B: Construction Administration (CA)

  • Perform regular site visits to track construction progress and ensure the project is being built according to the design documents.

  • Responding to questions as they arise from the construction team. Problems and coordination items during construction are inevitable. Sometimes these can be resolved with a simple phone call, other times they require supplemental drawing coordination and an issuance of a new set of drawing documentation.

  • If your project had to go through additional approvals during the Design Phase, there is a chance that reports may be required to be produced during construction to ensure that the conditions of the project approval are met.

Construction Management Services

Pre-Con / Design Development

  • What do YOU want to get out of the project.

  • Understanding what the projects maximum constraints are so we can have a clear and honest conversation about feasibility of the project.

  • Logistics, scheduling, budgetary constraints - factors that should be constantly analyzed against the design for improvement.

    We also assist in procuring design consultant services that may be required for project approvals.

  • Gathering accurate and up-to-date pricing data on the design as it’s being produced.

  • How have the contractors and builders structured their contracts? Is there incentive for money to be saved on the job?

  • Coordinate with the entire project team obtaining any and all necessary permits required to begin the work.

Construction

  • Services include but are not limited to: procurement and coordination of subcontractors, scheduling inspections, construction progress reporting, product submittal review and approval.

  • On all things design and construction, we are there to be an advocate for you, the client, to ensure that the project exceeds every expectation and to hold the entire project team accountable on delivering what was promised.

Project Closeout

  • Certificates of occupancy, owner’s manuals, warranties - we make sure you have everything you need to keep your project in good standing and keep your new building in good operational health after we have walked away.

  • We ensure that every last detail is exactly as it should be in a punchlist walkthrough to make sure nothing was missed.