2007-06-12 - The Construction Process
According to the AIA, American Institute of Architects, project typically go through the following six phases. Read more on the construction process...

According to the AIA, American Institute of Architects, project typically go through the following six phases.  These phases may be combined, prolonged or expanded depending on the size and scope of the project.  An architect may be involved in all of these steps or just some of these phases, depending on the builder’s desires and the architect’s expertise and time commitment.

Program Requirements- Communicate with your architect the requirements and overall goal for the building project.  It is crucial to communicate early the exact nature of your project.  This will streamline the creative process. Needs, wants and budget should be the main focus of this primarily phase and discussion.

Schematic design/rough sketches- The architect with take information gleaned from the first Program Requirements phase and incorporate it into a series of rough sketches that show a general outline of what the architect understood to be your desires and his expertise of what works well in the space that you  have provided. These schematic designs and rough sketches are important, make sure that your vision and that of the architect for the piece of property are headed in the direction that you would like the final result to end up.

Design and development/refining the design- During this phase the architect prepares more detailed drawings. This phase is crucial in providing the information necessary for a smooth construction period. The floor plans that are produced during this phase should show all the correct sizes and shapes for rooms.

Preparation of construction documents- After you have approved the design the architect will prepare detailed drawings and specifications.  These plans will be used by contractors to bid out/estimate construction costs.  These plans are an integral part of the building contract and many other contracts that you will create during the project.

Hiring a contractor- Typically in the case of a residential project, the homeowner is in charge of hiring a contractor. In most cases, unless speculated otherwise the architect is not responsible for hiring a contractor. The architect will most likely be willing to make some recommendations.  In most cases homeowners have several contractors bid out the job.  The architect can help you prepare bidding documents as well as invitations to bid and instructions for bidders.

Construction Administration- The contractor will be in charge of the physical construction of the project.  The architect can assist during construction in making sure that the project is built according to the plans that were prepared.  In spite of the fact that the architect’s job does not involve the actual construction, he or she should make site visits to observe work in progress, review and approve the contractor’s application for payment, and generally keep you informed of the project’s progress.