It is in the programing phase that the key parameters and objectives of the design work are identified. For a residential project, the program would contain information such as types of amenities the client wants in the house, room square footage requirements, number of rooms, spatial relationship, and construction budgets. For a larger project, such as a commercial project, a program would be more complex, describing the functions and number of room types, building systems such as electrical and mechanical, exterior design features such as parking lots and building entrance accessibility and required interior finishes.  For very complex projects, a program would be split into separate buildings with a master program document uniting the individual programs.

The architect will research the applicable building, planning and zoning codes that relate to the project location also known as the site analysis. Thorough site analysis is important in the early stages of a building design, as knowledge of the development of rules for the project location can determine parameters for the size and layout of the building.

The Program Phase doesn’t exist on every project. Some clients already gave a pre-existing program that worked for their company or family. We can utilize information from the very beginning and start to develop a schematic plan for the new building without having to re-invent the wheel.

The goal of Schematic Design is to come up with clear and feasible designs and ideas that convey the clients needs of the project.

During this early phase of the design, nothing is set in stone. This initial process is fluid and open to changes. Interaction between the client and architect can be frequent.

Schematic Design is one of the most creative phases of architecture. It is at this time that architects can work without the boundaries of code and construction issues, the main focus of this phase is design.

At Tim Hollerbach Designs, we develop the floor plans along with a front elevation of the project only. The concepts are presented to the client for their review and changes are made based on their comments and reactions. From this stage, the project moves into the Design Development Phase.

Preliminary specifications which identify major building materials and systems and establish quality standards, are also introduced during this phase.

Building design is enriched with input from engineers and contractors. The structural system is elaborated, as are other building systems such as electrical sources and heating and cooling strategies – particularly if they are of alternate means, such as photovoltaic cells or radiant floor heating.

At this point in the process, the client has a good sense of what the building will look like and how the spaces will flow. All the building elevations are refined, the floor plans are revised, and structural elements are identified. Exterior materials and colors are also reviewed with color two dimensional elevations to help visualize what the building will look like. After this phase, the documents are either completed for building permit submission, or a client can use these documents to obtain budgetary pricing from contractors to help aid their with their budget.

THD, LLC utilizes the latest technologies to develop three-dimensional, computer-generated renderings to aid in understanding what your new building will look like in its natural surroundings. As an additional service, we construct a wire frame computer model, able to select different views, apply realistic materials and render a final image of your new building. These exhibits can be used to help select certain building materials and colors, or can be used for approvals from local governing agencies.

Construction Documents include all building plans, specifications, and supporting documents used during the completion of a construction project.

A set of completed documents is made up of two components. The largest is the set of building plans or drawings, which may range from a single sheet to hundreds of pages and will include everything from floor plans to finish selections. Plans for an average size project will typically be broken down into several sections. The plans will start with architectural drawings and elevations, which are followed by structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical drawings.

Another component commonly included in a set of construction documents is a set of specifications, or “spec book”. The spec book is a written project manual that covers materials and methods that should be used when constructing a project. Spec books do not exist on all projects, as they are mostly found on medium to larger sized commercial projects. On residential and small commercial projects, spec information is generally included on the drawings.

During construction, questions or conflicts may arise, at this point, the architect interprets the meaning of the construction documents to clarify any issues, and issue modification documents to change either design, scope or both.

On residential projects, most contractors have built enough homes that Construction Administration is not needed. At THD, LLC we like to visit job sites to see how the work is progressing and see if it is within the scope of the documents. If we see any issues on the project site, we will notify the owner of our findings, and determine the impact it may have on the overall project.

Our commercial projects, we spend time on the job site to review progress of the work, as well as review shop drawings, field reports, and issue modification documents or changes as required.

The architects involvement does not stop when the drawings are completed and the building permit is in hand, it requires continuous involvement until the project reaches final completion and the owner takes full control of their new building.

Commercial

Pinots pallet
KFC
Taco Bell
Little Caesars
Fantastic Sams
Dental offices
Adult Daycare center
Wellness Center
BG Detailing