Services

Planning and Evaluation

PROGRAMMING

We will meet to discuss your goals and ideas. I will organize these thoughts into a written document, the program. We will set a budget that includes design, permits, construction, and a contingency. The program is evaluated by comparing it to local construction costs to see if the budget is realistic.

SITE ANALYSIS

The project’s site will be analyzed for views, orientation to the sun, prevailing winds, topography, and drainage in order to select the building’s location. The surrounding context, whether urban or rural, is an important determinant to consider in the design response -- should the building blend in or stand out?

Some projects entail renovating an existing building. Adapting old buildings for new uses while preserving their character requires documenting and analyzing the building while seeking creative ways to work the new program requirements into the existing structure.

REGULATORY REVIEW

I will investigate the planning and building codes for your project and will advise you on the requirements that must be met. A thorough review of the codes, though often tedious, often provides the genesis for a creative approach to meeting regulatory requirements.

GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS

Environmentally sound buildings are important for clients and the earth. Green building standards are becoming mandatory. More and more, clients want to go beyond the minimum. We will discuss your goals for green building and explore different standards such as LEED and Living Building Challenge.