The process of Architecture Design at FORM Architectural, Inc., is one of serving the needs of the client. We have private clients, contractor clients, developer clients and all the other specialty clients that have specific and specialized needs.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN-- Initial phases of the design process include meetings, interactive preparation of program requirements, and a conceptual development of priorities for design elements.

DESIGN REFINEMENT—The refining of the design from a series of design schemes to a “possible design solution” involves elevations and three-dimensional sketches to discuss the volume and style of the design. The discussion of the budget for the project will be considered as a factor in completing the design phase and preparing for the Architectural/Structural detail drawings that will lead into the production of the project.

CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS—Documents developed in the Construction Document phase will be used to permit, bid and construct your project. Different clients require different levels of detail and specification to describe their project to the construction professionals. The key is to have enough detail within the drawings to describe the desired design result. We work with you to determine the level of detail needed to provide the coordinated installation effort of the contractors in the field.

PERMITS AND ENTITLEMENT PROCESSING-- The submittal of the plans for plan check and permit issuance has become increasingly complex and time consuming. An independent industry has developed that does only the processing of the plans for permit issuance. We do most of the processing through the personnel in the office. We feel that the control and can be maintained if it is kept in-house.

There are other entitlement process that may be required such as Submittal and Presentation before a Design Review Board, and we represent our projects at these hearings, and the client is always invited to experience the debate process. Special approvals for Ordinance Modifications, Variances, Conditional Uses or Lot Splits can also be accommodated through the development process of the project.

BIDDING AND PREPARATION FOR CONSTRUCTION— The bidding and selection of a contractor is important to define the responsibilities of all the parties; owner, contractor and others that may be involved throughout the construction process. Developing a process of bidding that is fair and consistent helps to provide bids that represent the cost to complete the project. The coordinated effort of the Contractors, the Owner and their suppliers, and the Owners contracted trade resources, all need to be working off of the same installation instructions, the Construction Drawings.

DURING THE CONSTRUCTION—The involvement of the Architect during the construction should be required. There are times that a contractor needs to have clarification on installations, especially structural items, and a telephone call can clarify the concern and the project can proceed smoothly and with confidence on the part of the contractor that he is construction what you paid your architect to design. We realize through our General Contracting experience that there are always more ways to do a specific process than what is shown on the drawings. We feel that working with the contractor on behalf of the client to take advantage of the contactor’s expertise, special abilities or simply their desire to process the work in a different manner, will produce a more successful project.

There will be design decisions to coordinate, between the information specified on the plans and the finish selections made by the client to complete the project. At times there are possible “design opportunities” that are available once the project is completed that might be an advantage to the owner, these need to be investigated and implemented if desired. The involvement of the architect can smooth over the transition between the original design and the desired change.

SPECIALIZED SERVICES-- These services include pre-project analysis, project value estimating, color and finish selections, and other design related considerations. These are usually specific to the client and can be discussed as needed during any particular project.