COLLABORATION
 

ARCHITECTURE IS A GROUP EFFORT

creative

responsible

environmental

universal

inspirational

architecture

Every successful architectural project - from city halls to churches to single family homes - has behind it a story of successful collaboration.

We work closely with every client to exchange ideas about program, budget, dreams, and desires. We seek a deep understanding of our residential clients' lifestyles and histories. We work hard to get a clear idea of our developer clients' vision and programs. We need to know the expectations and functional details of commercial or institutional places. And for every client we want to understand the schedule and bugdet issues that will affect the project.

An open exchange of these issues helps us create our vision for the design. In addition to the client and architect, a host of other professionals are involved in making even small projects come together well. The architect is the central project manager who, in addition to designing the site and building, coordinates the work of many consulting engineers and professionals. Here are some of the other players:

General Contractor: This is the builder who coordinates the army of subcontractors (electrical, plumbing, drywall, cabinetmakers, etc.) that it takes to get a project built. We always recommend preselecting a general contractor for early input on the project budget. In addition to providing costs, this gives a contractor an opportunity to suggest alternative, less expensive materials or methods of construction before the design and construction documents are complete.

Structural Engineer: Provides design, drawings, and supporting calculations required by Building Departments for foundations and framing..

Civil Engineer: Addresses site drainage and grading issues.

Landscape Architect: We provide conceptual designs to a licensed landscape architect, who we then work closely with to create specific planting and irrigation plans..

Mechanical Engineer: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) specialist.

Plumbing Engineer: Creates plumbing and piping designs and drawings, including sometimes elaborate flow and pressure calculations - generally only for more complex projects.

Electrical Engineer: A professional engineer who calculates loads and capacities to ensure that all elements of a building will operate safely and correctly - includes electrical issues for equipment and lighting. Produces electrical drawings which include all the interior and exterior lighting for the project.

Lighting Consultant: Lighting design is one of the most ignored aspects of many otherwise very good buildings. We work closely with a professional lighting consultant to calculate lighting levels and to design dramatic and efficient lighting plans. Lighting consultants are up-to-date on the latest fixtures available, and their services ensuring comfortable and functional lighting.

Title-24 Energy Engineer: Remodel, addition, and new building projects almost always require Title-24 calculations to be submitted to the building department. Title-24 is a section of the California State Code that stipulates energy performance criteria for buildings.

Surveyor: The surveyor is always hired directly by the client to provide a boundary survey (determining exactly where the property lines are), topographic information (slope of the land), and locations of utilities, sidewalks, driveways, retaining walls, existing buildings on or adjacent to the site, etc.