Building Design

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Greetings!

As a natural building and design company we are always looking at ways to innovate new methods and systems of working with healthy materials. A holistic approach to design is integral towards buildings that support well being. Our work is hands on, feeling our materials, there behavior and characteristics is a tactile experience. Our approach to design is very organic and adaptable to fit within the environments we are working. It is through this hands on experience that we may offer designs that are intimate and can be adapted to personal tastes and sensibilities. Designing and building should be approached as one interrelated process that is a dynamic interaction to bring your concepts into reality.

Design Build Difference

Design-build is a method of project delivery in which one entity - the design-build team - works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services. One entity, one contract, one unified flow of work from initial concept through completion.

Design-build is an alternative to the more conventional design-bid-build. Under the latter approach, design and construction are split - separate entities, separate contracts, separate work.

Design-build streamlines project delivery through a single contract between the owner and the design-build team. This simple but fundamental difference saves money and time by transforming the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance which fosters collaboration and teamwork

The Design-Build Advantage

Faster Delivery — collaborative project management means work is completed faster with fewer problems.
Cost Savings — an integrated team is geared toward efficiency and innovation.
Better Quality — design-builders meet performance needs, not minimum design requirements, often developing innovations to deliver a better project than initially imagined.
Singular Responsibility — one entity is held accountable for cost, schedule and performance.
Decreased Administrative Burden — owners can focus on the project rather than managing disparate contracts.
Reduced Risk — the design-build team assumes additional risk.

vision

Thinking outside the box

The Process

We deal with money forthrightly and early on. It is an essential design constraint, and we must be able to discuss it as frankly and knowledgeably as siting, space, aesthetics, and energy use. It doesn’t matter how expansive or limited a client’s financial capability is. Everyone wants good value, and everyone wants to know what they’re paying for. Early on we agree with you about a budget, and the budget informs our thinking throughout. It’s no use to complete a design that excites and satisfies if it will cost twice what you want to spend.

Typically, design, planning, engineering and permitting is on an hourly basis. We begin the design process in visioning sessions where you lay out your ideas, and we begin modeling in software to produce 3d renderings. When spatial relationships are established, we will dial the model to suit your needs while considering materials and methods employed that most appropriately suit your design preferences. Unlike most traditional architecture firms, we can competently advise clients about costs as we design, not afterward, we have a broad set of construction and estimating skills and experience in-house.

When modeling is complete and all design considerations have been satisfied we begin drafting a working set of architectural drawings. All our designs are reviewed and stamped by a licensed engineer. With the completed permit set of drawings we do a detailed construction estimate to establish a ceiling price which becomes the basis for our job proposal. The proposal lays out terms of agreement and detailed cost breakdown for full project scope. On acceptance of proposal we issue construction agreement which is signed by all parties

Our design build agreement does not cover site planning and management. The design build agreement covers all work from foundation through to building finishes. If necessary, site planning and management services are handled in-house under separate working agreements.