This is the time for dreaming—for visualizing and considering every aspect of the truly custom home. During this time of collaboration, the client gives the architect the information needed for these first meetings.  We consider lifestyle needs, budget goals and architectural styles along with site opportunities—such things as property dimensions, slopes and views—and orientation including sun angles, prevalent breezes, etc. Construction materials are incorporated during this phase with regard to maintenance, durability, energy consumption and other ecological factors.

Now it’s time to take the planning information and transform ideas into schematic plans, exterior views and specific site designs. We’ll start with a first draft, and from there the plan goes through a basic layout to a defined preliminary plan—with floor plans, exterior elevations and site plans—where you can visualize the home, its basic functions and construction costs. At this point, we’re still in a fluid state of design where opportunity and creativity are used to begin a set of construction documents.

Construction documents are pretty straightforward—they assist the team in organizing cabinetry, finishes, door and window details, electrical layouts and other specifications needed to fully customize a home. Engineers and interior designers then review these documents for accuracy and a formal design review. Once this phase is completed, the plans are prepared for detailed pricing and construction.

As part of the Mark Todd Series, our architectural team can be found reviewing and observing the many phases of construction. During this sensitive phase, it’s natural for homeowners to have questions. We recognize that only the best results are achieved with open dialogue between the owner, homebuilder and architect, so we actively seek out our clients’ honest feedback—and create an environment where they will feel comfortable interacting with anyone who is building their home. This is also usually a time when the interior design team is most fully engaged on the project, thus dialogue with them is vital to the success of the home as well.