Planning Your Project
Design Process: How the process works: Understanding the problem
The process begins by listening to the client describe the problem, for example: Mark and Jill would like to extend their kitchen and add a family room. We ask a series of questions to get both a general understanding- will the family room be used for casual entertaining, or strictly hanging out- and more specific questions like - will there be a TV, and if so, how big. Not all the questions can be answered at this early stage, but it's good to get as much information as we can. If Mark does want a 60" TV, we want to think about how that will work in the room even at the early stages. The same is true for fireplaces, pool tables, or any item that would be hard to add to the design at a later stage. It's therefore helpful for the client(s) to have done some brainstorming and prioritizing in advance. Even if Mark and Jill can't agree on what they would like, it's beneficial to create a wishlist.
Besides understanding the problem from the client's point of view, we will also start to think about the architectural issues in the first meeting. As we approach the house, we will consider the style of the house, how it sits on the lot, the proximity to neighboring structures, the lay of the land, the solar orientation, how busy the street is, etc. Upon entering, we'll notice how spacious the front entry feels, and quickly size up the house's organization. We will refer to this mental picture as Jill describes her vision of the addition, to imagine the integration of this new space with the existing house.
Design Process: How the process works: Working within parameters
Design is (unfortunately) all about dealing with parameters, or limitations. They come in all forms: budgetary, zoning, structural, existing house style, lot size and contour, etc.
David's Comment
As the design evolves, the parameters must be continually revisited. For example, Mark and Jill may decide to cut down a favorite tree once they see how small the family room will be if it's left standing. An important part of our work is to communicate to the client which parameters are flexible and which are fixed. For example, while it's generally easier than many people think to eliminate a wall by adding a beam, it's almost impossible to do anything about low ceilings on the first floor.
Design Process: How the process works: Solving the puzzle
As a design progresses from the schematic to the design development phases, it is a very fluid entity. Unlike a jigsaw puzzle where the pieces can only fit one way, each new element in a design carries with it new problems and opportunities. A skylight might solve the problem of a dimly lit hallway, but could complicate the roofline. An octagonal bay could be a great place for the breakfast table, but could block the view from the patio to the yard. So each element must be considered in the context of the whole design, even if it means making significant changes to the overall design to accommodate a particularly exciting element. At some point certain design elements seem to be working well and become more fixed, and new elements must work around them. For example, if a fireplace centered in the family room is a compelling feature, then windows must be arranged around the fireplace, rather than moving the fireplace, to create a particular window arrangement. Eventually, more and more pieces of the design become fixed, and the process starts to focus on detailing each element to harmonize with the whole. However, it's important not to begin the detailing process before the entire design has taken shape.
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