Architecture Design Process
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From concept to construction, we work closely with you through a clear, collaborative process—balancing design vision with technical precision. This immersive phase begins with listening. We take time to understand your lifestyle, values, and the story you want your home to express. Alongside this, we study the site—its natural features, climate, and context—shaping a vision grounded in place. Every detail, from material selection to permitting, receives careful attention to ensure your home feels timeless, responsive, and uniquely yours. We stay involved through construction, advocating for your vision and ensuring it's built with care, quality, and intention.
Discovery (Pre-Design)
People have different reasons for designing and constructing a new home or remodeling/adding on to an existing home. You may need more space for your growing family, or want a new space for maximum entertaining, or a better connection to nature, or you may want to leave a legacy and example of what you believe in or stand for. No matter your reason for building new or remodeling/adding on, we are here to help achieve your vision.
We’ll engage in thoughtful discussions to understand your wants/needs, aesthetic preferences, and lifestyle. Understanding how you live and how you want to live is one of the main drivers of the design process. This collaboration helps us create a clear picture of your ideal space, balancing beauty and functionality in a way that resonates with you.
As we delve into site analysis, we’ll evaluate not only the physical characteristics of your chosen location—such as views, topography, and sun patterns—but also the zoning codes and regulations that may influence the design. Understanding these guidelines is crucial, as they dictate what can be built and how your vision can take shape.
Additionally, we’ll establish a possible budget and program for the project, outlining key features, spatial requirements, and any unique elements you envision. Establishing not only the what, but the why, is critical to designing the right home for you. By aligning your goals with financial considerations and regulatory requirements, we ensure that the vision remains realistic and achievable. This phase lays the groundwork for a home that reflects your values and unique style—a space that feels distinctly yours, capturing the uniqueness of your life and experiences.
Conceptualize (Schematic Design)
The conceptualization phase is where we begin to envision your project by disseminating all of the information gathered in the first phase. Be it a spectacular view from the living space, an unobstructed connection to nature, or a home that sits lightly and respectfully on your spectacular site, this stage is where those big ideas and dreams take shape.
We rely heavily on the historical context and physical elements of your site for inspiration in order to thoughtfully create a structure that is of its place and time. Together, we develop a “parti” or guiding idea(s) as a set of principles that direct our decisions throughout the process to ensure a design that reflects your unique vision and personality. All of the buildings we design utilize healthy, natural materials and sustainable practices- we strive to be good stewards of the lands upon which we build. If there are additional sustainable aspirations and/or certifications, this is where we start to identify those.
The conceptualization phase is meant to be collaborative and iterative. We strongly believe that your project will be better for it, so we will meet 2-3 times to review initial ideas, schematic floor plans, and 3D models. Nothing is sacred in this phase, and criticism is not only welcomed but required. We will sketch, rip and tear, and revise the plans and models (typically 2-3 times) until we arrive at a floor plan and overall 3D vision that all parties can not wait to build.
The deliverables for the conceptualization phase are a schematic site plan, floor plan, and an accurate and immersive 3D model. At this point, we will also have enough information to enlist either your contractor or one of our trusted contractors to assist us in understanding an approximate budget that we can use to guide our decisions in the next phases.
Develop (Design Development)
With each phase your home becomes more detailed and closer to becoming a buildable reality. Within the develop phase we take the concept drawings and 3D model from the previous phase and hone in on the specifics of your project, from both a technical and material stand point. We consider technical items such as wall, roof, ceiling, and floor systems, structural systems, mechanical systems, and moisture prevention.
At the same time we are finalizing the aesthetics of your project and considering exterior materials, windows, and landscaping opportunities. Because we believe that the interior and exterior of your home should be cohesive and “speak” to one another, we begin to explore materials and textures for both the interior and exterior to create a framework for the final material palette. Material samples are also ordered and carefully considered.
Because of the detailed nature and adventurous spirit of our projects we often rely on external consultants for their specialty expertise. Large expanses of glass, sites with complex topography, and highly exposed (lake) properties require special attention to wind and snow loading. Therefore, nearly every project we design involves a structural engineer. Depending on other conditions we may enlist additional consultants: civil, electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and acoustical to name a few.
Detail (Construction Documentation)
During the detail phase, all of the hours spent dreaming, discussing, and planning are now finalized into the instruction manual (construction documents) your contractor will use to price and build your new home or remodel/addition. This phase is when we dive deep into flushing out every detail to your desired preference. These documents serve as clear guides for contractors, ensuring that every element of the design is communicated precisely and without ambiguity. The emphasis on clarity helps to minimize potential issues during construction. This is your insurance policy that everything we have discussed becomes a built reality, which is why we pride ourselves on having exceptionally detailed and accurate drawings
In addition to detailed drawings, this phase emphasizes coordination with various consultants, which may include structural and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) engineers. This collaboration is essential to ensure that all systems are integrated seamlessly into the overall design, addressing any potential conflicts before construction begins. Such thorough planning helps create a cohesive approach, maintaining the integrity of the design throughout the construction process.
Client involvement is maintained through review meetings, allowing for any last-minute adjustments based on feedback. Ultimately, this phase culminates in a well-organized set of construction documents that lay the foundation for a successful building process, meeting the high expectations of our discerning clients while ensuring adherence to local regulations and quality standards.
Negotiate (Contractor Selection)
During this phase, we act as your partner in evaluating and hiring the correct contractor for your project. If you have an existing relationship with a contractor, we are happy to coordinate conversations about the drawings, answer questions, review substitutions, and act as your advocate. If you don’t have a contractor connection, we can utilize our vast network of contractors to recommend two or three that we believe would be a good fit for your project and good candidates to interview.
Our preference is to involve a contractor early in the Develop phase of the process in order to have access to early cost information and to utilize their expertise in construction methods throughout the design process. This helps to ensure a design that meets your aesthetic and budgetary goals. Involving a contractor early also shows our willingness to collaborate and our interest in being partners, which builds trust and a unified vision to create the best possible home for our client.
The relationship with the contractor then continues as we work with them to finalize construction pricing, negotiate sub-contractor bids, and final terms of the construction agreement. We find that negotiating with one trusted and engaged contractor is a much more fruitful and rewarding way to complete a project rather than bidding multiple contractors.
Build (Construction Documentation)
Our involvement doesn’t end when the Contractor is selected. We stay involved after the contract is awarded as your advocate during construction. During this phase, we conduct regular site visits to monitor progress, assess workmanship, and ensure compliance with design specifications and quality standards. These observations allow us to identify any discrepancies or issues early on, facilitating prompt resolutions and minimizing delays.
Invariably, there are things that we are not able to draw or anticipate during the Detail phase. Communication with the Contractor and Subcontractors and, if necessary, providing additional drawings, is essential, as it helps to clarify design intent and address any questions that may arise on-site. Additionally, maintaining open lines of communication with you (the client) is crucial, providing updates and insights that keep you engaged and informed about the project’s progression.
Other common responsibilities include reviewing and certifying the Contractor’s payment requisitions and reviewing any change order requests. For work that requires clarification or alteration, we’ll issue additional drawings to facilitate the Contractor’s work. At ‘Substantial Completion,’ we work with the Contractor to generate a punch list and oversee its execution. And, at the end of the project, we'll authorize the release of the final payment.
Ultimately, this phase not only safeguards the integrity of the design but also reinforces the collaborative relationship among the client, architect, and contractor, ensuring a successful outcome that meets the high expectations associated with custom home design and construction.
Get Started on Your Next Adventure!
At Nomad North, we offer a collaborative design process that results in thoughtful, site-driven solutions tailored to your lifestyle and aesthetic goals. Curious to learn more or ready to begin your project? Let’s connect!