The Architectural Design Process
The scope of services provided by Architects has evolved over the years to include a wide variety of non-traditional tasks, including feasibility studies, architectural programming, construction life cycle costing, building modeling, telecommunications, data and LEED (Green Building) design to name a few. These services are generally additional services to the traditional services included in a typical architectural design process.
The traditional architectural process is organized into five primary phases. It is the goal of this process to take what is an idea or vision in the Owner’s mind and develop it into the physical reality of a building. The process starts with indentifying the fundamental concepts of highest priority and continues to refine and develop the detail through each phase until the project is constructed.
The phases most associated with the Architectural Design process include: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding/Negotiation and Construction Phase services. These five establish the starting point for the scope of work required for each project. From this foundation the actual phases and scope of services are adjusted to fit the size, budget and complexity of each project. This could include eliminating phases or increasing the scope by adding non-traditional services.
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