Throughout each phase of your project, we will act as not only your architectural designer, but also your advisor, facilitator, and advocate, ensuring effortless and efficient movement through the entire process. This guide will walk you through “our process” and provide you with insight into how our firm approaches each project phase. We are committed to working with you from the first sketch to the final walk-through, and our knowledge and guidance will inspire you to imagine a vision you didn’t realize was even possible.
Schematic Design
Our kick-off meeting is for us to get to know you, your lifestyle, and how you would like to transform your home. We meet at your convenience in your home to gauge what’s important to you and also to acquire an initial impression of your existing home’s potential. We discuss your budget expectations and ask you to complete our “Needs and Dreams Questionnaire”, which helps you articulate and shape your ideas. This provides us with a solid starting point. It is important that spouses or partners be equally involved in exploring this initial design process. This way, we can help to understand and work through the differences in perspectives and opinions couples bring to the table.
We ask you to share photographs, pictures, or drawings you have researched – illustrating concepts that currently resonate with you. We can also provide you guidance on where to look for additional architecture and design inspiration.
Design Development
Once we have settled on an overall layout and composition, we schedule meetings with you to synthesize your ideas into specific design solutions that truly fit your needs and wants. Based on the aspirations and initial ideas you express, we translate your thoughts and intentions into two or three architectural designs that accommodate these concepts. We work with you to refine these proposals and create an integrated design that reflects who you are, your lifestyle, and your desires for your ideal home experience.
We draft detailed floor plans, elevations and sections to make adjustments and finalize decisions in preparation for producing construction documents. These documents are not finalized construction documents; they are used to communicate design ideas between us and you.
Additional Services we offer our clients during this project phase are:
Extended Design Development
An expanded scope of work allows us to generate additional sketches, perspective drawings, and even models that clarify and help your understanding of your new home before it is even built.
Receive Advice from a Contractor
If appropriate for a project and with the client’s permission, we invite a contractor to become a member of the design team. The insight the contractor provides at this early stage is invaluable when assessing project budgets and construction limitations, often preempting issues that may be discovered later in the construction process.
Finishings, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E)
At this phase of the design process, many clients appreciate the ability to employ Latady Design in selecting “Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E).” Clients who opt for this service appreciate feeling less overwhelmed by the extensive decision-making process. A member of the Latady Design team – usually Kevin himself – will accompany you to retail locations to evaluate products, gather competitive pricing information, and coordinate the purchase of any or all FF&E items. Our attention to detail and extensive network of suppliers will help you turn this often overwhelming process into an enjoyable and exciting one.The Latady Design team expertly coordinates selection, purchase, delivery, inspection and installation of each item. Coordination of this process between Latady Design, the client and the contractor contributes to a more integrated and cohesive design overall.
Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) to consider:
- Kitchen and bath cabinetry and countertops
- Laundry and Mud Room fixtures
- Wall and trim moulding and finishes
- Paint colors
- Flooring choices – tile, hard wood, etc.
- Lighting fixtures – interior and exterior
- Plumbing fixtures (such as toilets, tubs, showers, spa fixtures, faucets, fittings)
- Kitchen and laundry appliances
- Decking, porch and screen porch materials
- Sustainable energy choices
Construction Documents
During this phase, we produce the construction documents, which are the “working drawings” that incorporate details and specifications about your project. It is important to be aware that without detailed, annotated drawings, the construction process will be at your builder’s discretion. The more instructions we provide for your builder, the more we (and you) can assure the desired results.
These construction documents also allow contractors to determine the budget based on the scope as well as assess what special circumstances or additional requirements might be necessary to build your project. These important, detailed documents become a part of your contract agreement with the contractor you select, and serve to minimize problems, miscommunications and delays during construction. It is with pride and professionalism that we remain the steward of your design project. Our clients appreciate this cooperative and communicative management arrangement between architect, contractor and home owner as the best way to ensure their project progresses smoothly, and is completed successfully within the designated time frame and budget.
Permitting
Should there be special permitting requirements, we coordinate, prepare and present your project before designated boards such as: Zoning Board of Appeals; Historic District Commission; and Conservation Commission. Our experience presenting to such government bodies, and understanding restrictions and legislature, minimizes any issues that could be potential roadblocks to construction. We will also serve as your advocate and work with you and the government board members to find solutions and overcome obstacles should they arise.
Hiring the Contractor
While it is our preference to involve your contractor early in the design process, we offer to help you select a building contractor at this point if you have not already identified one. In this case, your contractor would join the team we have already assembled, typically including a structural engineer, landscape designer, interior designer and other professionals. As you choose a contractor, we help coordinate the bidding process and assist you in making an informed decision based on the best value.
Construction – where Latady Design makes even more of a difference
Unlike many traditional architecture and design firms, we don’t leave you to navigate the construction process alone. Kevin’s prior experience managing a design-build firm provided him with valuable insight into the construction field, and his guidance and knowledge will contribute to the overall success of your project. Having him involved during construction guarantees that your builder is interpreting our design details correctly and building your project as specified. Kevin closely monitors the progress of your construction, actively managing your contractor and sub-contractors to ensure an exceptional building experience. We help address unexpected issues that arise, and assist in your making informed, cost-saving decisions.
Project Closeout
We remain closely attentive to the very end. After your construction has ended, all appliances and fixtures have been installed, and all finishes and details have been applied, we perform a final walk-through with your contractor to go over and resolve any pending issues that need to be fixed or amended.
We eagerly look forward to sharing the moment when your home is handed back to you so you can begin the next phase of your life in the exciting spaces you envisioned.
