Residential Architecture: A Deep Dive Into the Process
Are you considering hiring an architect to create your ideal home? While the idea of having a new space is exciting, the steps leading up to it can easily overwhelm. At Phillip Summers Architect, we get it. We’re all about demystifying the architectural process as we go, so you’re clear on the evolving design for your home while staying informed on our progress.
In today’s blog, we’re going to break down the steps of our process before sharing our design philosophy. Again, we believe keeping our clients informed is everything–which starts even before a project begins!
Here’s how our process works:
1. Getting Started: Uncovering Your Vision
It all kicks off with a conversation. You tell us what you’ve been dreaming up—whether you’re imagining a sleek and modern design or something more cozy and traditional. We ask you follow-up questions to understand what styles catch your eye and what features you can’t live without. This helps us tailor our approach to designing your home right from the start.
2. Putting Ideas to Paper: Proposal and Design
Once we’re on the same page on the vision, our team will crunch the numbers and put together a plan. Our proposal lays out the whole roadmap of the process, from initial sketches to finishing touches. We are committed to being transparent, so you’ll know exactly what to expect at each step. Once you approve and sign the proposal, our team dives into the fun part: designing your space.
We start with initial sketches and then create 3D models to bring your vision to life on paper. As we continue to get your feedback, these design plans will get more and more refined. You can think of this stage as sculpting your home in digital clay: you get to see how every nook and cranny will look and feel, and we’ll tweak things until it’s just right.
3. Making It Real: From Permits to Perfecting the Details
Once the design is finalized and locked in, our team will handle the nitty-gritty details required to start construction. We acquire the right permits, sorting through any red tape so you don’t have to. We also identify the right builders based on our list of contacts that we trust and/or have worked with before. Once construction stages begin, our team oversees your home’s progress to make sure our exact vision stays intact, from groundbreaking to final walkthrough.
4. Finishing Touches: Your Personal House Guide
As we near the finish line, we don’t just hand over the keys and disappear. We want you to feel totally at home, so we give you a personalized house guide. It’s like a user manual for your new home, and it includes everything from how to keep your new HVAC system chugging along well to who to call if your dishwasher acts up.
Our Philosophy: Design for Artful Living
We believe great design isn’t just about looks; it’s about how a space feels and functions for you. That’s why our designs blend aesthetics with practicality. We problem solve and consider every detail, from the layout of rooms to the choice in materials, because we care about how you experience your home. At the end of the day, we want your space to boost your mood and enhance your daily life.
At the same time, we understand that everyone’s definition of an amazing space is completely different. By doing both a deep dive into your vision in the beginning and soliciting your feedback throughout the design process, we ensure you end up with a space that you can’t wait to come home to.
Article written and reviewed by Phillip Summers, AIA
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re ready to build from the ground up or transform your current space, we’re here to make it happen. Get in touch, and let’s start turning your dream home into a reality–while making the process easy and accessible at every stage.
