Chapter 1

The Design Process

Design is the process of solving problems.

Where to begin?

Design Process• Client Profile/Interview/Problem Statement• Letter of Agreement• Programming and analysis• Conceptual/Schematic Design• Final Design Development• Contract Administration• Evaluation

Client Profile / Problem Statement

• What is the nature of the project? vacation home, primary residence, rental home, office, restaurant, hotel etc.

• Establish a client profile: a brief statement that identifies the client, location, project, purpose, and extent of work.

• Little detail has yet been researched

Why is the initial meeting so important for both the designer and the customer?

• Evaluate compatibility (don’t take every job, may not be profitable…)

• Does the project fit the firms area of specialization , is there a reasonable time frame and does the firm have the appropriate staff load to complete the project.

• Client can evaluate firms work.

A word about time frame…• Deadlines are critical in the design business. • Penalties may apply.• Work backwards from the expected completion

date to set schedule for each phase.• If you see the time frame is not feasible, walk

away or convince them that the time frame needs to be longer.

Letter of Agreement A legal contract between you and your client. Outlines the responsibilities of the designer Outlines financial obligations of the client for

reimbursement, fees, time of payment Serves to protect you from wasting your time on

projects that may not come to reality or a client using a different designer

Get this contract signed before you do ANY work or you may be giving away your services!

Programming (5 – 15%)• Information gathering – Research – programming• Identify and analyze customer needs• Interviewing customer and end users

• User profile• Inventory products to be used • Lifestyle and Function• Relationships/adjacencies• Space allocations• Environmental factors• Mechanical systems (HVAC)• Psychological/Sociological• Economic factors – extremely important• Building codes• Design preferences

Programming is the• Most crucial phase of the design process• “Good beginnings make for good endings”• You must be detailed and precise in your gathering or you

will fail in the end result.• You will need to analyze the information, prioritize the need

and the wants and if any questions come up, make sure to go back and get them answered.

• You will write the program and the customer should review it and approve it before moving to the next phase of the design process.

• FYI: A commercial program is sometime hundreds of pages in length. It is a document that will be used by the entire design team, architects, mechanical, structural, electrical engineers, and designers.

Commercial Programming

• Budget for renovation, furniture and finishes.• Style preference, image.• Existing furniture, artwork and accessories to reuse.• Field measuring space, locating columns, outlets, network

jacks, thermostats, HVAC returns.• Photograph existing space, inventory and new space• Determine codes and safety requirements that need to be

met. (occupancy classifications, occupant loads, egress widths, ADA, etc.)

• Determine the schedule/deadline• Determine space allotments or standards, adjacencies,

privacy issues storage and filing needs (measure file storage).

• Understand equipment needs, sizes use and location

Residential Programming• Personal Information

• Age, number, sex, size, activities and relationships of everyone living in the house.

• Stage in the lifecycle : flexible spaces

• Lifestyle • Hobbies, activities, entertainment, meals, music games,

TV, cooking etc.)

• How long do they plan to live in the house.

Residential Programming

• Taste…likes and dislikes of the family. How do you find this out?

• Functional Goals • special needs, universal design, media room, home

office, energy efficiency• Space Requirements:

• How much sq. footage• Minimum of 300-500 per person• See sample questions on page 10

• Equipment Needs: • TV, cable, video, computers, security system

Residential Programming

• Cost Estimates and budgets:• Most expensive purchase: Americans spend 2-4 times their

annual income.• Kitchen and bathes are most expensive spaces• Sq. foot estimate vs. material and cost estimate• Know the avg. price per sq. foot in the neighborhood.• 25% of income goes to house payment• How can you help customer save money?

• Life cycle costing• Maintenance issues• Standard sizes, colors and finishes• Keep plumbing back to back• Plan ahead• Keep change orders to a minimum

Residential Programming

• Site and orientation• Restrictions on placement, color, size etc.• Solar orientation, south windows, fading• Wind• View

Conceptual / Schematic Design

• The formulation of preliminary broad-based concepts.• Written concept statement• Decisions on character, function and aesthetics• Matrix: indicates relationships of spaces • Bubble diagram 170, 171• Block diagrams 170, 171• Preliminary Floor plans/ space plan 19• Selecting preliminary color options• Preliminary furniture options

Matrixes and Bubbles

Block Plans

Schematic Floor Plan

Design Development (30-35%)

• Approval from customer on schematic design has been given.• Construction Documents

• Floor plan• Elevations• Sections• Furniture and finish plans• Power and Communication Plans• Lighting, Reflected Ceiling Plan

• Write Bid Specifications

• FF&E Spec Book

• Work with other professionals • Electricians• Structural engineers• Mechanical engineers

Dimensioned Plan

Reflected Ceiling Plan

Sections and Elevations

Finish Schedules

Design Development Rendering

Design Development Rendering

Design Development Rendering

Contract Administration (5-15%)• All design decisions become reality – most rewarding of the

phases.• Orders are placed.• General contractor, subcontractors begin building, installing

products.• Coordination is critical in order for subs not to interfere with

each others work.• Site visits become regular to check quality and to stay on

schedule.• Punch list is established.• Furniture is installed.

Evaluation• Follow-up on job to measure the success of the

products specified.• How effective was the design?• Did it meet the needs of the customer?• Are the products specified holding up?• Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) provides the

professional designer with the information needed to evaluate and measure a successful or unsuccessful design