How an Architecture Project Begins
You may have wondered ‘What does an architect actually do?” Architecture projects can be broken into five phases that represent the basic services that architect’s provide. For a cursory overview of these phases check out this previous blog post. In this blog post we’re going to explore the initial phase - schematic design - in more depth.
At the end of the schematic design phase there will be a general layout for the project that has approval from the local zoning authorities. To reach this end our office conducts a code review, works on space planning with the client, and applies for preliminary plan approval from the local zoning department.
If the project is new construction our office begins by analyzing the parcel information and the local zoning code. The zoning code contains regulations such as allowable building uses in zoning districts, required site setbacks for buildings or parking lots, parking space requirements, landscape requirements, and building signage requirements. Our office begins drawings for the project by folding the code information into a site plan drawing. We then know how much usable space a site has and we can begin to lay out the building and site elements.
If a project is a renovation or a tenant build out of an existing building there is less initial work to do. We begin by creating a drawing of the existing space using previous architectural drawings and/or measuring the existing space. The local code review will still occur but there are fewer things applicable to a project that is not new construction.
At the end of the schematic design phase there will be a general layout for the project that has approval from the local zoning authorities. To reach this end our office conducts a code review, works on space planning with the client, and applies for preliminary plan approval from the local zoning department.
If the project is new construction our office begins by analyzing the parcel information and the local zoning code. Some common regulations included in the local code that are of interest to an architecture project are allowable building uses in zoning districts, required site setbacks for buildings or parking lots, parking space requirements, landscape requirements, and building signage requirements. Our office folds this information into a site plan drawing and then begins to lay out the building and site elements.
Schematic Plan - Color Coded by Use
If a project is a renovation or a tenant build out of an existing building there is less initial work that needs to happen. We begin by creating a drawing of the existing space using previous architectural drawings and/or measuring the existing space. The local code review will still occur but there are fewer things that are applicable when the project is not new construction.
The next step is to create a floor plan for the new space. We start by talking with the client to determine how they need the space to work for them. Our office will then create a floor plan and send it to the client for comments. For a new construction project we will usually draw elevations of the building at this point as well. These drawings are then shared with the client and we ask for feedback. We then make changes and send it back. The drawings are worked in this manner until everything is perfect and the client approves it.
Once we have the initial drawings finalized the next step is to submit the drawings to the local zoning authority for a plan review. However, for new construction projects there is an extra step before that happens. We usually need to bring in a civil engineer. Civil engineers specialize in the physical environment and create drawings that show how the land will be altered by the new building.
The plan review process varies by city. It might be as simple as submitting drawings for review or there may be required meetings before anything can be submitted. The amount of time it takes to get a response also varies, but most cities or townships will respond within a month.
We usually have a good idea that the drawings will be approved or at least there won’t be any major changes. While waiting for the plan review we begin to work on the next phase of the project - design development.
We have an ongoing blog series that follows a tenant build out project from start to finish. Check it out to learn more about how a project tends to progress.