our design process
how it works
We at Clites Architects, PC are pleased with your interest in our firm. Timothy L. Clites, AIA, has 25 years of experience as an architect, including 11 years as the Senior Associate at Barnes Vanze Architects of Washington DC. In 2010 Tim founded a decidedly small firm focused on architecture as a collaboration with our clients. Our work is primarily residential design, but also includes a variety of other project types. We thrive when working with engaged clients, talented design teams, and quality contractors.
Design is rarely a linear process, but often there is a sequence to the development of architecture. The following process has been proven to navigate the complex process of design and construction successfully. The phases define the level of detail and decision-making that is required by each team member.
Programming/Pre-Design: What do We Build?
Schematic Design: Freehand Sketching
Design Development: Refining the Sketch
Exterior Phase
Interior Phase
Construction Documents: Computer Generated Drawings for Construction
Construction Administration: Realizing the Dream
programming/Pre-design:
Programming is simply the process of documenting your initial needs. Developing the program, we get to know you, how you live, and your idea of “home”. The program includes a list of spaces that you need, as well as provisions for specific art, furniture, sculpture, collections, or memorabilia. This process can be as simple as one meeting, or more on involved projects. This step in the process allows us to take the time to consider all the spaces and functions a property may require to support the clients’ needs.
To start designing we need the following items.
Program- we assemble this list with you.
Budget for Construction, including any contingencies for significant unknowns.
Schedule for start and/ or completion of the project.
Existing site plan of the property-
Existing condition drawings- (We produce these if they are not available)
Existing photographs- (We take these when on site)
Any known restrictions to the property- Historic, zoning, easements, etc.
Inspirational images or places.
Schematic design:
Schematic Design is our first step in assembling your ideas, needs, and the program, into a space, house, addition, or renovation. The loose sketches we create show the general arrangement of rooms, room sizes, relationships to the site, possible furniture arrangements, etc. Because the drawings are quick sketches, this is the phase when we study as many options as necessary.
On projects with multiple buildings or construction phases, Schematic Design starts with a master planning exercise. The master plan sketches allow us to consider relationships of building sites to topography, zoning, easements, overlay restrictions, views, sun, wind, vehicular access, utilities, and overall composition of the entire site. Using the master plan, we then design each building during the Schematic Design phase.
In Schematic Design, we also evaluate the local zoning ordinances, historic conditions if they exist, and other restrictions or requirements that may impact the design. Often, we will submit the final schematic design sketches to historic boards, easement holders, or other regulatory bodies to get preliminary input or approvals.
Once the design sketches reflect the intent of the project, we conclude this phase with a budget price exercise. We work with the owner to interview contractors, then ask the contractor to assess the probable construction cost. Because the sketches are preliminary, this process produces a ‘ballpark cost’- not a fixed or contract cost. This ballpark cost allows us to make decisions and revisions to balance design and budget.
Design development:
In the Design Development phase, we further develop and refine your design in two components. During the first part of this phase, we focus on the exterior of your project. We make decisions on materials, fireplaces, windows and doors, final volumes for spaces, final roof lines, building volumes, and other details for the exterior of your space. We continue to study precedents for the building type and explore options with the 3D CAD model we create at this stage.
After developing the building shell, we move our efforts inside the space and develop the interiors. Specifics on what your dream kitchen will look like, exactly how it will function, what appliances may be used, and what finishes go into the space are all examples of how we develop the interior design. Bathrooms, cabinetry, stair details, lighting arrangements, finishes, etc. are all under scrutiny during the development phase. To aid the crucial decision-making process in this phase, we engage the owner with images and more sketches, samples of materials, and visits to showrooms as needed.
Construction documents:
Construction Documents (CD) are the bulk of our work prior to construction. They are detailed drawings that illustrate the location, quality, and scope of the work. Here, we pay extra attention to all the small details that make your home yours. We finalize the design of the interior spaces and selections on cabinetry, bathroom layouts, kitchen layouts, ceiling patterns, fireplaces, mudrooms, formal paneled rooms, electrical plans, etc. All these spaces, along with their trim, paint, paneling, door styles, countertops, and more are documented and detailed in the Construction Documents. This level of detail allows for thorough bidding and a good understanding of the design before construction.
We obtain approvals from the Construction Documents, which are issued to the General Contractor to obtain final pricing and building permits. If there are historic or neighborhood reviews, we attempt to obtain those approvals early in the CD process. We engage a structural engineer to review all structural components and provide engineering oversight. When the CDs are complete, we submit them to the contractor for updated pricing. Spending extra time with these decisions and details to have as much clarity in the bid and CDs as possible allows construction to go more smoothly for everyone.
construction administration:
During construction, we visit the job site at regular intervals to observe the work and answer questions from the contractor. Often, these meetings are weekly and include the owner, contractor, architect, and other team members, allowing for regular communication and prompt problem-solving of conflicts in the drawings or field conditions.
In addition, we review the contractor’s payment requests. Changes in the price or scope are submitted in writing, reviewed by the architect, and approved by the owner. Mock-ups and samples are a regular part of these meetings, allowing for subtle changes in detail during construction. Shop drawings for critical elements are submitted from the contractor to the architect for review and approval. The engineers on the project may also make site visits as required to assess the integration of their work.
At the end of construction, we produce a punch list of items needing additional attention by the contractor to certify the project complete. The punch list is completed prior to owner move-in to ensure that your new space is fully realized, and all the details are resolved.
summary of services:
We find our best work emerges when both we and the client are engaged throughout the entire process. We encourage our clients to provide a high level of input into the design, selection, and overall aesthetic of their home. We want our client’s homes to reflect their tastes, needs, and aspirations over our own.
We are happy to provide references upon request. Thank you for considering us.
