Five Step Process

  1. SCHEMATIC DESIGN: The initial underlying design phase in which an architect and client establish design goals, develop a parti, select a design vocabulary, and evaluate concept alternatives.


  2. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT: During this phase the architect completes the design work of all aspects of the building, leaving only the step of formal documentation, which is the develop­ment of CD's.


  3. CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS: The most time consuming phase. This is the assembly of all the contractually binding documents, written and graphic, necessary to communicate design and administer a project. The documents define the total obligation of the architect, the construction manager, and all contractors. CD's are the legal documents used to obtain regulatory and financial approval necessary to proceed with construction.


  4. BIDDING OR NEGOTIATION: In this phase the CD's are presented to members of the building industry who bid on a project. If through bidding and negotiation a satisfactory price is agreed upon, the architect and winning bidder enter the Construction Administration phase.


  5. CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION: In this phase the architect works with the building contrac­tors by observing work for conformance to the CD's; reviewing construction, test results and inspections, responding to requests for design-changes, and by administering, the comple­tion, start-up, and closeout process for the owner.


    6.