Studio 4 Architects Blog

Design Development is a very busy, and very important, phase for many reasons. 

1.  This is the phase when consultants (Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Civil Engineers) really become involved with the project.  They are important during schematic design, but design development is really when issues are to be flushed out (for the most part), and the enigneers can start designing the structural systems, mechnical systems, etc.

2.  From an architects point of view, this is when the design really becomes alive as ideas are flowing.  During the schematic design a mass model may be presented, but by the end of this phase, a finished model may be presented. 

3.  Finishes such as the following are selected:  paint, flooring, lighting, exterior materials,  ceiling material, casework finishes, counter tops, etc.  This pallette should be presented to the owner if not already.  There may be some tweaking to the finishes after the presentation.

4.  Wall sections and details are started at this point, to help clarify the design.  The sections and details also start the process of clarifying discrepancies.

5.  By the end of this time the floor plan should be final.  (Or very close.)  If the floor plan keeps moving around, at this point, it is hard for the consultants to keep up with the changes.

6.  Hopefully a contractor is selected by this point.  This is when the contractor hopefully will be contacting subs to get some numbers to plug into a budget.  By the end of Design Development an itemized budget should be established so everyone is informed.

At the end of this phase, typically a presentation takes place, and any questions/concerns would be addressed.  Next phase is Construction Documents.

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The next phase of designing and constructing a building is the Schematic Design Phase.  At this phase, all of the information from Planning/Programming can be used to create a floor plan and initial mass model.  The floor plan would generally show walls, doors, rooms, hallways, etc.  At this point, the floor plan is very loose, typically drawn by hand, so quick revisions can be made.  During this phase the architect is thinking about how the structural system may work, what type of mechanical system would be best (and how to route the ducts), etc. trying to think of any problems that may arise.

The mass model is a 3-D representation of what the building's overall dimensions and appearance could be.  Some of the information above (about the structural system and mechanical system) can be inserted into the model to get a better feel if these types of systems will work, and how they will work.  The model may not show potential finish materials, but that may be saved for the next phase - Design Development. 

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Typical phases and services you can expect from a Licensed Architect are the following:  Planning, Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Construction Administration, and sometimes Post Occupancy Evaluation.

In this installment I would like to focus on Planning-Programming and what that entails.  This is the very first stage of a project where a Licensed Architect can help owners when purchasing a site to build on, or evaluate an existing building for alteration.  If you are planning on constructing a new building we can help, by placing a representation of a building, and parking if necessary, on a schematic site plan to see if the site is a good choice.  Keeping in mind access from streets, utlities, topography, vegetation, etc. these are all components that will be needed when designing the site.

If the site looks like a good choice, we will start the Programming Phase.  This entails a lot of questions and exploration including but not limited to:  services, types of activites the building must accomodate, activites within those rooms, adjacencies (which rooms need to be next to each other), sound requirements (accoustics), technical (i.e. labs), view requirements, type of electrical/mechanical/plumbing system, preferred structural system.  This provides the framework for the next phase Schematic Design, which is when the building may start to take shape.

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Last time I talked about how Licensed Architects are different from Drafters and Home Designers.  After that, I received an e-mail wanting to know more about what the seal of an Architect means, and how is that different than anything else.  Well the answer is pretty simple.  As a Licensed Architect I have not only satisfied the requirements of a university degree, but the extensive training of the state I currently reside in.  With that training and passing of exams, The State of Texas has identified me, and any other Licensed Architect, as knowledgeable in how buildings are designed and constructed.  A drafter does not have the same training or requirements as a Licensed Architect.  Think of it as this - who would you rather take care of your health problems, a doctor (someone who has trained and passed all their required exams, and has extensive knowledge of the human body), or someone who has read about it.  (Or slept at a Holiday Inn.  :-))

The seal on the drawings indicates I have thought about not only the local codes that are required to design a building, but taken into account for construction, mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems and how they fit into the building, how the structure is being used in the building (is it being hidden, exposed, how are we constructing the roof, etc.).  For an Architect, designing buildings is more than just a floor plan or permit set, it's research.  There is strong evidence the human body and mind react to their surroundings based on natural light, color, temperature, humidity, texture, scale, proportion, etc. 

Most Home Designers, Drafters, or anyone else that designs residential projects, do give you a house plan, but how efficient is it?  Is it using the spaces that are interrelated effectively?  Are the mechanical and plumbing systems running all over the house, or are the spaces designed so that (1)construction cost would be lower due to a more efficient layout (2) your energy bill will be lower because water is not wasted waiting to warm up.  These are issues Licensed Architects think of when they design any type of building. 

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This is the first installment of this series discussing the different points regarding Architects. 

A Licensed Architect is an individual who graduated from an accredited university.  This time is usually 5-6 years depending on the length of an accredited degree.  This education is very important to establish criteria of appropriate scale, design, critical thought, human tendancies, and use of the natural world to help heat and cool buildings.  After graduation an internship process is started (when I was newly graduated, this time was another 4-5 years).  During this time you are learning about wall systems, mechincal/plumbing,electrical systems, design, construction documents, etc.  After your internship you can sign up to take your exams (when I took them there were 9 exams - now there are 7).  After all that time you can officially call yourself a Licensed Architect.  Until then you were considered an Intern.  All in all, the time frame was about 11-13 years of education, training, and exams.

A Draftsman usually spends 2 years at a college program learning some type of drafting software.  A Draftsman is not allowed to seal any drawings, and is only allowed to work on projects of a smaller size (and that size depends on the state requirements). 

A Home Designer is the same as a Draftsman, but they may aquire a seal they can place on drawings, just for residential work.  

Each state has different requirements of when an Architect is needed.  Some require an Architect for anything designed over 3,000 sf, and others are more liberal in their use of an Architect.

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I have been thinking about this one for a while now.  We, as Architects, do a horrible job of promoting what we do vs. a contractor, or home designer, or even a draftsman.  This series may take a while but I think it is important to let people know

1.  How Architects become Architects

2.  The difference between a draftsman or home designer, and an Architect

3.  The process in which an Architect designs, draws construction documents, and assists construction

I hope you will find this series interesting - if so - let me know

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Concerned about spending money wisely on your addition/renovation, custom home, office space, church, or even new school project?  This is the best time to design and build what you need. Prices are low right now because of little activity in the construction industry. They won't stay down for long - as the economy starts to pick up so do prices for material and labor.

Give us a call or e-mail us your ideas for your project.

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Here in Texas, the summer heat can increase your cooling costs on your home.  Recently in the last decade or so, radiant barriers have become an option to lower your utility bills.  If you do not know what a radiant barrier is, it can be a thin reflective material that is installed in your attic to reflect heat back away from your house. 

Be careful when applying this material.  There must be adequate ventilation, and you must check with your shingle manufacturer to see if installation of a radiant barrier voids your roof warranty.  Some manufacturers have systems you can use in conjunction with their shingles and some do not allow the barriers.  The ones that do not allow them may have evidence that points to an increase in temperature of the shingles, thus decreasing the life of your shingles.

You can also increase the amount of insulation in your attic in lieu of a radiant barrier.

Do your research!

Jim Wallace, AIA

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Last week I visited with Judy Willis of First State Bank, here in Denton, Texas.  She introduced me to a loan program called SBA 504, some of you may know about this.  It is designed for businesses to affordably build their own office, and develope property at the same time.  If you were to build new, your business must occupy 60% of the building at the end of construction, which means you have 40% to lease to another business.  If it is an existing property, your business must occupy 51% of the gross square footage.

This program is great, because it is allowing banks to extend credit, get small businesses the buildings they need to grow, and get construction rolling again.

You can visit Judy Willis at

400 West Oak - Denton, Texas 76201

judy.willis@F-B-S.com

www.F-S-B.com

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Most people look for a new house because of the following:

1.  Larger house - due to a family getting larger

2.  Don't like the current layout of your house

3.  Not enough room in the kitchen

4.  Outdated look of the house

In the current housing market, reinvesting in your home could be the best thing you do.  By renovating and/or adding onto your house, you can increase the value of your home.  You will remove closing and relocating costs associated with a move to a new home.  It will also create an environment that fits your lifestyle. 

Jim Wallace, AIA

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Studio 4 Architects is dedicated to design that enhances daily life in homes, schools, and businesses.  By using the natural environment (sun, wind, temperature, precipitation) we can design and construct buildings that respond to the environment in a positive way, lower our energy use, and increase our health.

My main purpose is to post items I think will benefit you as a homeowner, business owner, or school district.  I hope you enjoy reading this blog - and if we can help you through the design process please let us know.

Jim Wallace - President, Studio 4 Architects

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