Architectural Design
Whole Builders values the design process as an integral part of any successful construction project.
Our design team envisions a project from start to finish and works with you to create the spaces you desire.
Our in-house architectural design team includes a licensed architect and designer with extensive experience in residential and commercial remodeling, as well as new construction.
You can choose to work with Whole Builders design team in any or all of the following design phases:
Preliminary Design:
After meeting with you to determine your space needs and relationships plus the structure's existing conditions (or a site visit for new homes), we will create several design options with corresponding cost parameters.
Design Development:
Once you have selected the desired option or combination of options our next step is to refine the design relative to structure, energy use, interior design and finish details. We will provide you with a product selection list and suggest showrooms where you can find the materials and fixtures you desire. We will bring in our subcontractors and vendors to verify costs and secure a preliminary slot on our schedule.
Construction Documents:
Upon approval of the final design and selection of products we prepare the construction drawings. These may include a site plan, floor plan(s), electrical plan, interior and exterior elevations, sections, details and specifications. At the end of this step we are ready to get final bids and start construction.
Construction Contract Negotiation:
We will finalize contracts with subcontractors and suppliers and help analyze and review allowances in the contract.
Construction Administration:
During construction we will review any changes, verify existing or new conditions, and answer any questions to ensure your complete satisfaction.
What makes our architectural design process green?
- We consider the orientation of your home for any solar alternative energy options. In new home construction, we evaluate the site to determine the best location for the house relative to trees, hills, and neighboring structures. When remodeling an existing home, we consider the best location for new windows to take advantage of passive solar gain.
- We look at the micro-climate around the home, which can affect the access to the sun.
- We can help you explore the use of a variety of energy saving techniques, including strapped wall construction, panelized construction, quality windows and doors, basement insulation, and vestibules.
- We recommend a blower door test to evaluate the quality of construction in your home. Once the areas of infiltration are determined, air infiltration barriers, vapor barriers, and caulking all points of air leakage will ensure more efficient performance over time.
- Indoor air quality is an important consideration that can directly affect the comfort and health of your family. We carefully select construction materials that can reduce the amount of pollutants that are out-gassed into your home. Ventilation is the only way to remove those pollutants, and we can assist you in choosing the best option for your space.
- The selection of lighting fixtures, bulbs, controls and appliances has a direct effect on the electrical use of your home. If the most efficient bulbs and appliances are used, not only will your monthly electrical costs be reduced, but the need for future power plants and the pollution and hazards related to them will be minimized. We can provide you with a range of options that will minimize the electrical use in your home.
- We can consider alternative energy options for your home. All energy users can reduce their impact on the environment by making wise system and equipment choices. We can explore a variety of possibilities such as: whole house heating with conventional fuel hot water heater only, passive solar space heating, solar domestic hot water, and solar space heating. We use several calculation methods to evaluate the performance and savings of each option, including the Passive Solar Industries Guidelines, Energyscapes heat loss calculation, and the F chart calculation of solar savings fraction.
Ready to find out more?
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation or estimate.