Our Process
Consultation
dl-Design provides free first-time consultations for potential clients in the triangle area and any visit less than 1 hour. We take phone calls from 9 am – 6:30 pm, Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 3:30 pm Fridays. Emails will be responded to within 12 hours unless on weekends. We can provide a design fee estimate after the first consultation within 2-3 days and a full design contract 5 days after acceptance of estimate. dl-Design will also provide a basic project cost estimate based on median average price per square foot. This should not be considered a detailed estimate.
Programming Planning & Feasibility Studies
Programming Phase is an important part of the design process, as Programming is when you meet with your Architect to finalize the needs and goals of the project. This is the clients project brief and is the ultimate vision for your building project as determined by you and your Architect. This Phase isn’t about drawings as much as it is about communication, discussion, priorities, budget, goals, timeline, phasing, aesthetics, relationships, planning, and developing a shared concept with you for your building project.
Specialty services such as Feasibility Studies might be recommended by dl-Design during this time as well, in order to help you understand what is feasible for your project and just how much that project could cost you in terms of the total hard and soft costs. Not just the Architect’s fees, but also the contractor’s contract for construction, structural or electrical engineering, asbestos testing, surveys, permitting fees, etc.
Plan + Ideate
dl-Design follows the 5 basics services of an architect for providing design and drawings.
Schematic Design Phase:
First phase in the design of a project where dl-Design prepares schematic diagrams giving a general view of the components and the scale of the project.
Design development Phase:
In this phase dl-Design will further develop scaled floor plans, building sections, elevations, and site plan. Fenestration and possible finish materials. With 3-Dimensional views.
Construction Documents Phase:
In the final drawing phase, construction documents. dl-Design will produce official scaled drawings used for legal documentation and permitting.
Bidding and Negotiation Phase: typically for commercial work. dl-Design will assist the owner in procuring the reproduction of bidding documents to prospective bidders.
Construction Administration
dl-Design is a design firm not a general contractor and does not provide construction management or contracting / building services. However, we do provide Construction Administration the 5th service of an architect.
Construction Administration Phase:
dl-Design shall advice and consult with owner and act as their advocate to the extent written in the contract. dl-Design shall visit the site at intervals appropriate to the construction progress to become familiar with the work and verify the work is being performed in accordance with the contract documents.
Casa Mila by Gaudi
visited fall of ‘23