What are the phases of an architectural project?
The key phases of an architecture project are Pre-Design, Schematic Design, Design Development (also named Detail Design), and Construction Drawings. A complete Construction Drawing set is necessary for a contractor to build the project.
Each phase has a different role and builds on top of the other. There are different focuses in each phase.
The structure and naming of the phases will differ based
The Pre-Design (PD) phase collects all the information pertaining to the project, such as site information, legal framework, and starting points of the design. Client discussion as to the requirements is also part of this phase.
By the end of the PD phase, the project brief is established, and there is a clear outline of the scope as well as a mapping of the design process.
From this, the project enters the Schematic Design (SD) phase, also referred to as the conceptual phase. Here is where the first proposal is outlined in both 2D and 3D. This is the creative part of the project where most of the work that people associate with architects takes place.
We start from a 2D proposal and move into a 3D model of the proposal, tailoring along the way based on discussion and feedback. By the end of this phase, we will have a series of basic 2D drawings that outline the design along with 3D materials of it.
From here we move into the longest part of the process, the Design Development (DD) phase, also referred to as the Detail Design phase.
This is the longest component of the project and it is where the technical solution is developed. This is where we also bring in the various specialists, such as structural engineers, general contractors, etc.
By the end of the DD phase, the project will be mostly defined and a complete set of drawings ready showing the technical solution.
Finally, the Construction Drawings (CD) phase has the drawings further detailed, complete material lists laid out and all construction details finalized.
After the CD phase, continuous support is given through the construction phase, with the project modified to respond to any potential changes.
1. Pre-design | PD
An information-gathering phase will be the foundation of the design phases that will follow. The main goal is to learn everything possible about our client's goals and requirements.
2. Schematic Design | SD
In this phase, we begin the process of translating the brief into an efficient design. We start exploring concepts, testing options, and getting an idea of the general look and feel.
3. Design Development | DD
By the end of this phase, the general project will be designed, drawings will feature a significant amount of information, the overall scheme and materials will be selected.
3. Construction Drawings | CD
The design drawings are developed into a precise and thorough set of construction documentation containing all the information necessary to communicate the design to a general contractor and build the project.
It's important to note that these phases are relevant for small and medium-sized private projects. In the case of larger projects or public procurement, the process is expanded upon significantly following the CD phase. Public procurement in particular has a much more complex process compared to private buildings. Similarly, specialized projects, such as healthcare or military projects will also have their own particularities and experts required for them. But in essence, these are the main phases of all architectural projects.
Schematic Design (SD) phase
Preliminary floor plans
Preliminary elevations
Conceptual 3D images
3D interactive model
The goal of the SD phase is to define the general layout and overall look of the project. It essentially has 2 components: the 2D documentation that shows a general overview of the project and the 3D component that shows the volume and how everything will look. The 2D documentation is mostly just focused on the floor plans, one for each floor and, on occasion, the roof plan. If the project is more complex, elevations can also be added for additional detail.
The floor plans will contain general dimensions for both the interior layout and the overall exterior dimensions. The walls will be represented as simply solid, with no construction information.
Finally, the 3D component will have a series of 3D images showing the volume of the building and proposed finishes. To this, we can also add a 3D model, if necessary. Some examples of SD drawings are showcased, taken from a work-in-progress project in the US Virgin Islands.
Design Development (DD) phase
Floor plans | Designed further
Elevations | Designed further
Sections
Interior elevations
Roof framing plan
Stair detail (if applicable)
The longest phase of the project, the DD phase focuses on detailing the design and defining the technical solution for the building. This is the transition phase, where the project moves from a basic concept to a full-fledged design.
The first step is to lay out all the drawings required for construction, in addition to the ones laid out in SD. If in SD we had mainly the floor plans, and perhaps the elevations, in DD we continue by adding the sections, detail plans, interior elevations, material specifications, schedules, and installations (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, depending on the project). The SD drawings are detailed further. If in the schematic phase we represent everything in a basic manner, in DD we start to add technical information, such as detailed dimensions, wall structure, material information, etc.
By the end of the DD phase, the technical solution is complete with most of the project being drafted out. The most notable exceptions that are not included in the DD phase are the final bill of quantities (material lists), schedules (lists of the various elements that go into the construction), and the construction details (highly detailed drawings that show how the building goes together). Some examples of DD drawings are presented below, taken from the D-House v.4 project.
Construction Drawings (CD) phase
Floor plans | Designed further
Elevations | Designed further
Sections
Interior elevations
Roof framing plan
Stair detail (if applicable)
General construction details
Door and window schedule
Material lists
Material specifications
Installation plans
In the final stage, before construction begins, the CD phase adds the final information to the drawings, as well as the material lists (bill of quantity) and construction details. Final additions are done to the drawings from the DD phase, the lists of materials are exported and the construction details are drafted.
Bill of quantities, also referred to as material lists, contain complete calculations of all materials used in the project. They are vital to the final cost calculation of the build, as it isn’t possible to do a final accurate cost estimation without them. Cost estimations are done throughout the project, but the material lists are required for the exact quote. We go into more detail regarding project costs in this article.
Schedules are similar to material lists, but they focus on individual specific elements of the build, such as doors, windows, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, HVAC components, or wooden framing elements. These are breakdowns that go into detail about every piece for accurate specifications. The contractor or manager in charge of acquisition will purchase these components based on the schedules.
Finally, there are the construction details. These are specific components of the building blown up at certain scales, such as 1:10, 1:5, or 1-1/2’’=1’-0’’ and 1’’=1’-0’’. They feature an in-depth look at how the building goes together and provides the final bit of information a builder needs for construction. Construction details fall into 2 categories, standard or custom. A standard detail either is or is based on previous detail work done in similar projects, it is not a new development. Custom details are built from the ground up for a certain project and are much rarer.
All these new components coupled with the finalized drawings create the Construction Drawings package that will be provided to the contractor to build.
