Architectural Design Process

Design your dream home with Marland Architecture

Building your custom home is an exciting journey. The architect's role is to design your home and create construction drawings that communicate the design to everyone involved, including the general contractor, subcontractors, surveyor, engineers, the interior designer, and you. Marland Architecture can bring your dream home to life while coordinating with the entire build team along the way.

Designing Together

Marland Architecture makes home design collaborative and enjoyable. Together, we'll turn your vision, needs, and dreams into detailed drawings for your new house. Learn about my process below.

Introduction & Proposal

We start with a meeting to discuss your vision, budget, and build site. Then, you'll receive a proposal with architectural fees and timeline for your review.

In our initial meeting, usually by Zoom, I’d like to learn about your ideas for your new home and also discuss my design process. I want to touch on:

Your target house size, style, and essential features
Your expectations for budget and timeline to occupancy
Site-specific opportunities and challenges
My design process and show you the capabilities of my 3D modeling

Proposal and Agreement
After our initial consultation, I’ll prepare a letter of proposal outlining my anticipated architectural fees, timeline, and scope of work. I’ll also send over a sample AIA contract for your review. Once you’re comfortable with the details, we’ll execute the contract and begin working together.

Site Assessment

We’ll visit your site, with your builder if possible, and assess the land. I'd love to know why you chose your location and how you see your new house fitting on the land.

On-Site Visit & Site Analysis
We’ll schedule an in-person visit to your property to discuss the site and its potential. I’ll walk the land with you to learn more about the views, slope, and unique characteristics of the location. If you’ve already teamed up with a builder, it’s great if they can join this meeting as well.

Site Survey & Topographic Mapping
If necessary, I can coordinate getting a site survey with topographic mapping so that we are working with accurate data as we design the layout of your house, driveway, barn, garden area and whatever else you need so that it works with the land.

Design Intake

Following the site assessment, I’ll gather input on design preferences, and together, we’ll explore your must-have features.

Feature Selection & Design Input
I’ll send you a spreadsheet to get input on your general house space needs like number of bedrooms and bathrooms as well as special elements like a home office, a media or crafting room, or large outdoor deck. I’d like to know where rooms should be adjacent to or private from other spaces. This spreadsheet will also dive into more specifics about each room. For example, in the kitchen, I’d like to know your preferences for an island with seating, a sink under a window, a walk-in pantry, and wall ovens. I’d like to know about special furniture you are bringing to the new house and where you want vaulted ceilings or other features. You can also share inspiration photos or examples of interior or exterior styles that you like as well as send me any HOA architectural guidelines for your property.

Schematic Design

I’ll develop layout ideas, including floor plans and exterior design, considering your site and your preferences. We’ll discuss options and refine the design until it is exactly what you are looking for. You’ll get to see a 3D computer model to better visualize the design.

Site Layout & Space Planning
Using the insights gathered, I’ll sketch out ideas for the overall layout of the site including the house, garage, driveway, and outdoor spaces. I’ll consider key factors like views, topography, site orientation, solar access, and privacy.

Space Relationships & Floor Plans
Next, I’ll work on floor plans focusing on space planning. This includes defining how rooms relate to each other and the site. I’ll develop drawings that show room sizes with potential furniture and cabinetry layouts along with the locations of windows, doors, stairs, decks, and porches.

3D Model & Exterior Design
Once you’re comfortable with the 2D floor plans, I’ll develop a 3D computer model to help you visualize how your home will look overall. We’ll explore options for the exterior design, including rooflines, materials, and colors. I’ll be able to share the 3D model with you and refine the design as needed to make sure the design reflects your vision.

Schematic Design Deliverables
At the end of this phase, you’ll receive:

PDF files of the in-progress architectural drawings
Site plan, floor plans, roof plan, and building sections
Exterior elevations, 3D images and preliminary material specifications
These drawings can generally be used for preliminary HOA/Architectural Review, construction loan submittal and preliminary pricing from your builder.

Construction Drawings

With your approval of the schematic design, I’ll develop detailed construction drawings and coordinate with engineers, other consultants and your builder to ensure everything is ready for the build.

Construction Drawings Development
With your approval of the schematic design, I’ll move forward with the detailed construction drawings. This is where the technical details come into play, making sure everything is ready for your builder to start construction.

Coordination with Engineers & Interior Designers
If necessary, I can arrange for structural engineering and civil engineering services and coordinate with your interior designer for cabinetry, lighting, and plumbing fixture layouts.

Construction Drawings Deliverables
At the end of this phase, you’ll receive a complete set of architectural and engineering drawings (if needed) which will be stamped and ready for building permits. You’ll receive both PDF and printed copies of the final plans.

Construction & Build

During construction, I can be available to meet with you, visit the construction site or answer questions about the drawings to ensure your vision is being carried out.

Ready to Design Your Home?

Let's explore possibilities together. Your ideas will guide us toward your perfect home design.

Contact me