Schematic Design
Once we align on your vision and objectives, the schematic design phase kicks off. This is where we transform your ideas into tangible drawings that embody your project goals, lifestyle, and unique space needs. You’ll have the opportunity to review your plans and imagine yourself living in your new home at various times of day.
The process starts by synthesizing the valuable information gathered during the programming stage. We will analyze your project site for environmental and neighborhood context, view orientation, room relationships, building form, style preferences, sun and wind patterns, and access to natural daylight to shape the development of rough sketches for your approval. These sketches provide your first glimpse into how we’ve captured your home’s functional relationships and aesthetic goals. Typically, these sketches include a site plan, building plans, elevations, and building sections. Harmony Architecture also specializes in immersive conceptual three-dimensional renderings and VR style walk throughs that put owners in the driver’s seat. These renderings give you an opportunity to review the building scale, shape, and character from a first-person perspective that allows you to see building shadow and lighting in a conceptual level before deciding on final materials and window treatments.
Your insights are crucial during this phase as we shape your future home. Establishing a clear decision-making process is important, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our team will also provide a preliminary evaluation of what we outlined during programming, including the schedule and construction budget, so you can move forward with confidence.
As we progress through the schematic design phase, your vision will become clearer, allowing you to see the essence of your future home. Once approved, these drawings will typically suffice to initiate a neighborhood review process, if applicable, ensuring that your plan aligns with any covenant codes or guidelines. Throughout this journey, we remain dedicated advocates for you and your vision, committed to making your dream a reality.
Lessons Learned:
- Engage a Builder Early: Consider hiring a builder now to obtain preliminary estimates for key items like site work, foundation, framing, and siding. Getting these costs early can help avoid redesigning later and keep your project on track.
- Involve an Interior Designer: If you plan to work with an interior designer, consider bringing them on board during the schematic design phase to make any minor floor plan adjustments before moving into design development.