Your Wants And Needs From the first time you call us, we listen to all your wants and needs, which may range from the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, to the types of storage, they way you cook and clean, or the details of significant heirlooms.Your Inspirations Through words and images, we listen to your passions and your aesthetic. We ask you questions about all your senses, the kind of light and view you love to see, the textures, materials and colors that delight you, the qualities of space that make you feel happy and at home.Your Goals We listen to your new lifestyle goals and collaborate with you to generate a prioritized list of criteria for success. These may include goals for budget and timeline, desired levels of energy efficiency, health and wellbeing, or levels of environmental stewardship. Existing Conditions For new construction, we study the site, sometimes spending an entire day examining light, vegetation, hydrology, sight lines, or soil conditions. For renovations, we study the site and its existing structures, taking measurements and photographs, examining existing structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical conditions.Zoning and Codes Often, we meet with city planning, code, and building officials to help us clarify nuances of the ordinances. We also re-review the building code, focusing on amendments made by local gove ment or on sections with particular relevance to your project.Ideas As inspiration for your project, we may study alte ative building systems, emerging technologies, innovative materials or finishes, or case study projects. We often even experiment with materials ourselves to discover new possibilities. Collaboration Along with our diverse in-house expertise, we often invite other collaborators to assemble a dream team for your project. Past collaborators have been carpenters, biologists, city planners, graphic artists, sound technicians, engineers, poets, cost estimators, theatrical lighting designers, realtors, and public artists.Ideation Each brainstorm lasts about two hours, involves the entire team and focuses on generating a full array of ideas for your project. The outcome is a vast array of loose sketches or models that range from the expected to the boldly innovative.Evaluation and Edition After each brainstorm, we organize all the information, pin it up on the wall, and usually leave it there for a few of days. Then, we revisit it, as a team, and begin editing it down to the few ideas that seem most promising. epresentation We take these ideas and translate them into clear, demonstrative plans, elevations, models, diagrams, and other supporting visual tools.Presentation We show you each idea, focusing on the risks and benefits of each, and listen to your feedback. We never ask you to pick one idea, but rather to select a series of features or elements in each idea that resonate with you.Re-Presentation From your feedback, we develop a single, integral idea. We visualize it with even greater refinement, often with high quality renderings, detailed physical models, and hardlined plans and elevations. We present the idea to you for your feedback and approval. Design Development We refine the dimensions and locations of things like appliances, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, windows and doors, and fu ishings. We refine the composition and layout of interior, exterior and landscape finishes.Engineering We refine the design based on requirements for structural engineering, plumbing locations, heating and cooling systems, and electrical service.Finish and Material Selections We give you our suggestions for everything from appliances and plumbing fixtures, to colors, floor materials, wall and ceiling finishes, hardware, fu iture, softgoods, and lighting. Contract Documents We translate the design into Contract Documents which include final drawings and full specifications. Together, they provide all the information for obtaining bids, receiving building permits, and executing construction.Final Drawings We draft construction drawings which typically include scaled, noted, keyed, dimensioned, and coordinated building and landscape plans, building sections, exterior elevations, electrical-lighting plans, interior elevations, and numerous details.Full Specifications For quality assurance, we organize the specifications into easily referenced sections including general conditions, sitework, foundation, framing, envelope, exterior finishes, interior finishes, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and landscape. During Bidding As your advocate, we can suggest builders and administer the bidding process. Once final bids are received, we meet with you and the builder you select to review the contract, discuss changes, and establish the construction schedule.During Construction We maintain strong communication with you and your builder and make frequent site visits. We also schedule two key site meetings with you and your builder. First, before excavation to verify the building’s location, and second, after framing, to review the locations of walls, windows and doors. Before Construction Is Complete We meet with you and your builder prior to drywall installation to verify all locations of plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, light fixtures, and vents. Then, right before construction is complete, we walk through the building with you and make a final punch list. Purchasing While construction is finishing, we administer the purchase of key design pieces which may include fu iture, fabrics, accessories, wall coverings, lighting, accessories, or custom fabrications.Fabrication and Delivery After purchasing, we coordinate the lead times of all pieces and ensure their proper fabrication and delivery. After they are delivered, we inspect them for quality, bring them to you, and stage them within your new building. Live Better. We hand you an owner’s manual and you begin living your new, complete sustainable lifestyle.
Your Wants And Needs From the first time you call us, we listen to all your wants and needs, which may range from the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, to the types of storage, they way you cook and clean, or the details of significant heirlooms.Your Inspirations Through words and images, we listen to your passions and your aesthetic. We ask you questions about all your senses, the kind of light and view you love to see, the textures, materials and colors that delight you, the qualities of space that make you feel happy and at home.Your Goals We listen to your new lifestyle goals and collaborate with you to generate a prioritized list of criteria for success. These may include goals for budget and timeline, desired levels of energy efficiency, health and wellbeing, or levels of environmental stewardship. Existing Conditions For new construction, we study the site, sometimes spending an entire day examining light, vegetation, hydrology, sight lines, or soil conditions. For renovations, we study the site and its existing structures, taking measurements and photographs, examining existing structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical conditions.Zoning and Codes Often, we meet with city planning, code, and building officials to help us clarify nuances of the ordinances. We also re-review the building code, focusing on amendments made by local gove ment or on sections with particular relevance to your project.Ideas As inspiration for your project, we may study alte ative building systems, emerging technologies, innovative materials or finishes, or case study projects. We often even experiment with materials ourselves to discover new possibilities. Collaboration Along with our diverse in-house expertise, we often invite other collaborators to assemble a dream team for your project. Past collaborators have been carpenters, biologists, city planners, graphic artists, sound technicians, engineers, poets, cost estimators, theatrical lighting designers, realtors, and public artists.Ideation Each brainstorm lasts about two hours, involves the entire team and focuses on generating a full array of ideas for your project. The outcome is a vast array of loose sketches or models that range from the expected to the boldly innovative.Evaluation and Edition After each brainstorm, we organize all the information, pin it up on the wall, and usually leave it there for a few of days. Then, we revisit it, as a team, and begin editing it down to the few ideas that seem most promising. epresentation We take these ideas and translate them into clear, demonstrative plans, elevations, models, diagrams, and other supporting visual tools.Presentation We show you each idea, focusing on the risks and benefits of each, and listen to your feedback. We never ask you to pick one idea, but rather to select a series of features or elements in each idea that resonate with you.Re-Presentation From your feedback, we develop a single, integral idea. We visualize it with even greater refinement, often with high quality renderings, detailed physical models, and hardlined plans and elevations. We present the idea to you for your feedback and approval. Design Development We refine the dimensions and locations of things like appliances, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, windows and doors, and fu ishings. We refine the composition and layout of interior, exterior and landscape finishes.Engineering We refine the design based on requirements for structural engineering, plumbing locations, heating and cooling systems, and electrical service.Finish and Material Selections We give you our suggestions for everything from appliances and plumbing fixtures, to colors, floor materials, wall and ceiling finishes, hardware, fu iture, softgoods, and lighting. Contract Documents We translate the design into Contract Documents which include final drawings and full specifications. Together, they provide all the information for obtaining bids, receiving building permits, and executing construction.Final Drawings We draft construction drawings which typically include scaled, noted, keyed, dimensioned, and coordinated building and landscape plans, building sections, exterior elevations, electrical-lighting plans, interior elevations, and numerous details.Full Specifications For quality assurance, we organize the specifications into easily referenced sections including general conditions, sitework, foundation, framing, envelope, exterior finishes, interior finishes, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and landscape. During Bidding As your advocate, we can suggest builders and administer the bidding process. Once final bids are received, we meet with you and the builder you select to review the contract, discuss changes, and establish the construction schedule.During Construction We maintain strong communication with you and your builder and make frequent site visits. We also schedule two key site meetings with you and your builder. First, before excavation to verify the building’s location, and second, after framing, to review the locations of walls, windows and doors. Before Construction Is Complete We meet with you and your builder prior to drywall installation to verify all locations of plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, light fixtures, and vents. Then, right before construction is complete, we walk through the building with you and make a final punch list. Purchasing While construction is finishing, we administer the purchase of key design pieces which may include fu iture, fabrics, accessories, wall coverings, lighting, accessories, or custom fabrications.Fabrication and Delivery After purchasing, we coordinate the lead times of all pieces and ensure their proper fabrication and delivery. After they are delivered, we inspect them for quality, bring them to you, and stage them within your new building. Live Better. We hand you an owner’s manual and you begin living your new, complete sustainable lifestyle.