During schematic design, we formulate a concept which turns our written description and adjacent diagram into spatial definition. This theme, much like the topic sentence in a paragraph, directs our design work. Schematic design is perhaps the most important time we spend interacting with clients. At this stage, we have frequent meetings in order to keep clients abreast of our work and direction. During these meetings, we present drawings that describe design ideas with respect to your budget. Throughout schematic design we expand your design options as well as challenge your and our own assumptions to ensure that the project design is exactly what you want.

After reviewing the options completed in schematic design, we all work together to choose a future design direction. In most cases, we find that the chosen direction is a compilation of several ideas from the schematic design phase. At this point, we continue to define, through plans, elevations and sections, the size of rooms, types of materials, and exact placement of the building. During this phase, we study the whole building as a system, including discussing your sustainable/"Green" options, and discuss specific construction issues which may effect the final project. During this phase, a fairly accurate cost of construction may be obtained from the drawings we prepare.

In order to convey all of the discussions, decisions and drawings that result from schematic design and design development as precisely as possible, a set of detailed documents are prepared. This set informs the builder of the appearance and construction detail of the trim, built-ins, doors, and surface elements. These documents outline the expected level of performance and quality, both in written and drawn format. Construction documents ensure the final product matches the product you ulitmately envisioned after working through the design process. They also ensure the bids you receive from contractors reflect the details and quality you expect. In addition to securing design decisions made by you and the architect, construction documents also minimize change orders and stressful snap-judgments made on the job site. At the end of this stage, we continue to work with you, as your advocate, to select a contractor (when necessary) and/or sub-contractors.

During this stage we operate as our clients' advocate to ensure work is performed to the standards and quality described in the contractual documents we prepared. As part of our role, we answer contractors' questions, communicate details when requested and make regular job site visits. Since the actual construction is often a busy and stressful time for our clients, our presence during construction is usually appreciated.