The Schematic Design Stage

The Architects first Design stage | The Schematic Design | 

This is the initial stage in the practice of Architecture. Before an architect presents his design, he makes an analysis to the design requirement and present a design solution in response to the client's requirements. There are other things that the architect should look at whenever he is doing a design scheme.

There are different styles of presentation at this stage. The perspective view is the architect's impression of the design. The graphic styles are the architect's tool in conveying his ideas . Aside from showcasing his artistry, the design solution goes beyond that. The perspective is what will make the client understand the whole concept of the design. Plans, however, are essential drawing requirement to justify the whole design presentation.

At this point, The client and the architect should come up with initial agreement of the architect's scope of services. May have some probable construction cost of the project where the basis of the Architect's fee is determined. The size of the project will also be determined with the budget costs so that the design will not overshoot the budget.




The Different Presentation of Styles

First impression last. The presentation of the design is dependent on how well you can present the project in different styles. This is one of the discipline an architect should possess or improve to be able to communicate his design properly.

Here are some of the styles done;

1. Sketches are presented on the next appointment with the client. These sketches are the result of the architect's careful analysis of the design solution. It will start with the idea as to what would be the client's perception of what they want to achieve.

2. Manual Renderings and Digital prints

on multiple media, this is the type of presentation done in water color, acrylic, markers as shown below. 

A photo montage is a manual and digital renderings using an actual photo and photoshop software to edit the rendering. 

From this old sample of manual rendering in pen and ink, you can see the drastic change in the design presentation of projects in architecture.

3. 3D Renderings are computer generated renderings. 3d models are done with 3d softwares like 3D Studio max, Sketchup, Autocad 3d, Rhino, Revit and many more.

4. 3D Animations - There are more highly sophisticated 3d animations but in this example, as it is still in the schematic stage, the design and 3d presentation are still being developed. This is done in sketchup to show the overall size and shape of the proposed structure.

Posted by 3dartrender on Sunday, February 18, 2018

There are several ways the architect can do to achieve a design to the client.

For exterior outlook, here are some of the ways to generate the design ideas;

• It can be a design inspiration from any existing design and modify some of its features.
• it can be a metaphor of  shape coming from observation to nature. Like a Seashell, a spider web, ant hill, or to any object that may relate to the context of the design requirement.
• It can be an analogy to any historical building that may be a good basis for a representation of the design and function of the structure you are designing.
• It can be a response to a particular situation that will help solve a particular problem of a client. Like a disabled person who wants to have a multi-level floors without necessary using stairs and lifts. A circular design with ramp can influence the building envelope.
• It can also be an influence of the natural land terrain.

The Schematic design stage is the analysis stage where all aspects of the design is considered, aside from the technical consideration that will influence the design approach. The architect then gives the professional advise as to the Cost of the project.

The Fee of the Architect in this stage is part of the whole fee broken down into the different stages of the design process. It comes usually about 10% to 20% of the architects fee. If the architect's fee ranges from 7% to 10% of the construction cost, The Schematic design fee is determined by computing the 20% of the agreed architect's fee of 7%  to 10% of the construction cost.

For more detailed explanation about the breakdown of fees, see our blog on How do architect's get paid? - a case study


If you have any comments and questions, you can do so by typing  your questions on the comment box below. I would love to discuss further.

Exploring new Ideas for House Design

Introduction

This one is another response to a design request of a long time friend. She would like to see her initials in her own Dream home. As I continue to explore my thoughts in composing a new design with the initials DFA, i thought of making a sketch that will speak of the same approach done in the previous post.

As a design exercise, house design are limitless. you can explore new ideas for house design with the initial requirement of exterior design that would bear the initials.

As a Design request, i came up with this design. More options come into play but this one may be appropriate in my initial design study.

The design concept will now be tested if this will be acceptable or not.

Let me walk you through the design process of an architect in terms of creating new design for a prospective client. 

The Design Process

The Design process started from a presentation of a previous design that somehow got the attention of an old friend. made a request to do similar approach to her dream house.

Then the conceptual design of the exterior. Though this process may not seem to be the normal, while developing design composition, the size and shape of the house is already being considered so as to look like a functional house design. As part of the test, this design will be presented to see if it meets the expectation of the client.

The next stage is to present this to the client and see the feedback or the impression so that the space plan will follow afterwards. 

What will be the arrangement of the spaces?  

The form of the building layout will dictate the spaces within. I will share the approach to planning the spaces within the house of this design and the previous one. The intention is to show you the different approaches to creating a space for the built in size and shape of the house.

Space planning is one of the aspect of studies and architect should master. To create the spaces required and group them according to the level of privacy from public to semi public to private spaces. In house design, public spaces are the entrances, living and dining areas. while semi private can be a guest hall while private spaces are the bedrooms and the toilets.

Watch out for the next post to explain the Space planning approach.

The design composition

The form shall be so mix together so as to create a design that will look like a house, sizes and shapes are proportionately considered while choices of building material shall be well placed to balance the texture and the identity of shapes forming the whole design and make the design requirement stand out - that is to show the initials of the client.

Somehow, these approaches made me finish the initial design concept of this house.

Comment below is you have some thoughts about it and I would be very glad to explore new ideas for house design till my next design challenges will come. I will keep sharing my thought about it to help you get more information about my house design experiences.

Thanks for taking some time reading my blog.