THE PROCESS
Cunningham | Quill Architects provides full architectural services for a wide variety of residential projects from renovations and additions to new homes.
From concept to completion, Ralph Cunningham, FAIA and the rest of your CQA team lead you through the design and construction of your project. Our goal is to meet your needs while surpassing your expectations.
This book provides an overview of our process and a guide to working with Cunningham | Quill Architects.
GETTING STARTED
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
PERMITTING, PRICING AND NEGOTIATION
CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR DESIGN
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
GETTING STARTED
THE INTERVIEW
Your project begins with a complimentary face to face interview. This is an opportunity to introduce ourselves, learn about your project goals, and exchange ideas.
PROPOSAL AND CONTRACT
After the interview, we send you a fee proposal and a contract. Our fee, a percentage of final construction costs, is based on the size and scope of your project. The contract is a simple letter agreement that outlines the terms of the Owner-Architect relationship.
GATHERING INFORMATION
Before beginning design, information available about the existing site and structures must be gathered. We document your site using photographs and measurements of the existing conditions. We also review any information you provide as well as coordinate any surveys required. We help identify regulatory constraints and approvals related to your property.
WHAT WILL WE NEED FROM YOU?
• Read your contract carefully and contact us with any questions.
• Assemble the information you already have such as the plat, past surveys, deeds, original architect’s drawings, etc.
• Think about your budget goals.
• Start a scrapbook! Collect pictures of rooms you like, houses that move you, and colors you’d like to incorporate into your home. This helps us get acquainted with your style and vision for your project.
PHOTO: PAUL BURK
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
PROGRAMMING
The schematic design phase begins with a discussion of your project goals and requirements. These are translated into a program that outlines the spaces of your home, their primary uses and relationships to each other.
DESIGN OPTIONS
We study options that show how these spaces can be put together. These schemes are presented to you through drawings, models and computer renderings. Usually this phase involves several meetings with you to review designs and discuss alternatives.
PRELIMINARY PRICING
Once a preferred design is agreed upon, we prepare drawings for pricing by one or more contractors. This provides cost information at an early stage so the project can be tailored to meet your budget goals.
MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK.
• We would like to meet with you every few weeks during this phase of the project.
• AFTER EACH MEETING, review the drawings and provide us with comments. We’re always available by phone or e-mail to discuss your questions and concerns.
• Assist us in establishing the scope of your project.
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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DETAIL REFINEMENT
During this phase, we proceed with more detailed drawings using the preliminary pricing information from Schematic Design as a guide. We refine the materials and structure of your project including heating, cooling, lighting, and plumbing. We pay close attention to the interiors of the project and develop the functionality and details of the living spaces.
APPROVALS
For projects located in areas that require special neighborhood or historic approvals, we work with these local jurisdictions to satisfy their requirements and concerns, as well as represent you and your project at meetings or public hearings.
CONSULTANTS
Depending on the size and scope of your project, it may be necessary to hire one or more consultants to complete the design and obtain a building permit. These may include structural and civil engineers and permit expediters.
FIELD TRIPS
The selection process can seem daunting. We accompany you to kitchen, plumbing, lighting, and tile showrooms to work with your budget and assist you with decision making.
PHOTO: PAUL BURK
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Construction Documents consist of the comprehensive drawings and specifications necessary for a contractor to build your project. Typically, we prepare three different sets:
THE PERMIT SET
This drawing set satisfies the specific requirements of your local jurisdiction so they can review the project and issue a building permit. These drawings are signed and stamped by us and are accompanied by required consultant documents. Due to the amount of time it can take to obtain a permit, this set is issued first.
THE PRICING SET
Once the project has been submitted for permit, we prepare a set of drawings and specifications that includes all the necessary details for contractors to provide an accurate cost of the project. We guide the selection of plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, counter tops and tile, and publish these selections in a Project Manual to be issued with the pricing drawings.
THE CONSTRUCTION SET
Final adjustments are made to the design and selections based on the contractor’s pricing. Revised drawings and the Project Manual are issued and become the basis of the contract agreement you will have with a contractor.
WE ASK FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
This phase involves the most work by us and the fewest meetings with you. Though you may not hear from us as frequently as you did during the design phases, we are active and busy producing your documents for permit, pricing and construction.
PHOTO © MAXWELL MACKENZIE
PERMITTING, PRICING & CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
THE BUILDING PERMIT
During the Construction Documents phase, we file the Permit Set with the appropriate agencies and coordinate responses to their comments. If greater speed than the typical permitting process is required, we employ a permit expediter as an additional consultant.
BIDDING & CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
We recommend contractors to you based on the scope of your project and our past experiences with contractors best suited to your specific needs. After we distribute the Pricing Set to a pre-selected contractor or a short list of contractors, we answer their questions and make clarifications to allow them to develop an accurate cost. Once prices have been returned to us (this usually takes several weeks), we assist you in reviewing the pricing information. It is often necessary to make revisions to the design and selections before negotiating a final contract price.
CONTRACT
Once a Contractor has been selected and a final price agreed on, an Owner-Contractor agreement is put in place. We facilitate this process through the use of standard AIA agreements.
SELECTING A CONTRACTOR
To ensure the success of your project, we recommend contractors with whom we have established relationships — those familiar with our process and quality standards. We also welcome the opportunity to work with a contractor you have used previously or one that has been recommended to you.
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CONSTRUCTION
COLLABORATION
While the Construction Documents provide a detailed set of instructions for the construction of your project, building a house is a collaborative process that requires active and open participation and communication between the Owner, Contractor and Architect.
SITE VISITS
We set up regularly scheduled site visits with you and your contractor. These meetings are a time to review and document progress and confirm the project is built according to the drawings and specifications. This is also an opportunity to answer questions and explore solutions. Due to the complicated nature of construction, there may be unforeseen conditions that require a timely and creative response.
SUBMITTALS
To assure understanding and implementation of your design, we review products and materials submitted by the contractor prior to their purchase and installation. In the event the contractor suggests an alternate product, we review the submitted information, discuss with you the potential impact of the substitution and make recommendations as needed.
PAY REQUESTS
Prior to your signature and payment, we review each invoice issued by the contractor to confirm the amounts requested correspond with the progress of your project.
CHANGE ORDERS
If changes arise that impact the contract price, the contractor provides a written change order prior to the work being performed. We review each change order for accuracy before your final approval and payment.
WHAT TO EXPECT
After months of designing, drawing and decision making, your expectations are finally being brought to life. The construction process is both exhilarating and challenging. Whether you are building a new home from the ground up or renovating your existing house, we work with you and your contractor to plan ahead and develop a strategy to help you live comfortably through all phases of construction.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
INTERIOR DESIGN
As part of our basic services we work with you to establish a palette of materials and finishes to complement your specific design and preferences. Our expertise in kitchen, bath, and cabinetry design combined with our select group of vendors and fabricators takes your project through the design, pricing and construction phases.
If you need further assistance selecting furniture, fabric and window coverings we can provide additional interior design services, suggest an interior designer, or work with your current designer.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Careful attention to a project site and its surroundings is critical to the development of a beautiful space. Based on your project requirements, our design may include existing or new landscape features, sustainable site strategies or remediation of existing site conditions.
We have experience working with a variety of site designers from Landscapers to Landscape Architects.
Depending on the scope of your project, we can recommend the right strategy to develop and implement a successful site plan that complements your project.
HOACHLANDER DAVIS
PAUL BURK
PAUL BURK LEY GROUP PRO
© MAXWELL MACKENZIE
© MAXWELL MACKENZIE
HOACHLANDER DAVIS
LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: MAXWELL MACKENZIE, DAVID BURROUGHS, PAUL BURK, HOACHLANDER DAVIS, HOACHLANDER DAVIS, MAXWELL MACKENZIE, LEY GROUP PRO, HOACHLANDER DAVIS, HOACHLANDER DAVIS