The first phase in home design is not actually a design phase at all but rather a series of planning exercises to prepare you for the design. We call this phase “pre-design.” Pre-design is sometimes confused with “pre-designed” plans, but in custom architecture, pre-design refers to the early research, planning, and discovery work completed before a project moves into schematic design. Pre-design has one primary objective: to gather and understand the project parameters and make sure that you have all the data about the project before starting a design. In this post, we dig into the specifics of pre-design and why it is one of the most important steps most folks miss.
For homeowners considering a custom home, addition, or major renovation, a pre design consultation can help clarify what is possible before design decisions become too specific. This early conversation gives the architect and client a chance to discuss goals, site conditions, budget expectations, zoning, building code, sustainability priorities, and the overall direction of the project.
Example of Rural Area Pre-design in Architecture
Perhaps homeowners and some architects skip this step because they are simply excited to get started on the design. Perhaps they don’t realize the importance of planning. Pre-design is one of the most important phases and at CW we require every project to go through some level of pre-design. Pre-designs vary project by project but typically include 7 major steps.
What Is Preliminary Architecture?
Preliminary architecture refers to the earliest phase of architectural planning, when the project team begins gathering information, identifying constraints, and exploring broad design opportunities before creating detailed drawings. This phase may include zoning research, building code review, site analysis, program development, sustainability studies, budget conversations, and early diagrams.
The goal of preliminary architecture is not to finalize the design immediately. Instead, it helps create a stronger foundation for the design process by making sure the architect, client, and project team understand the major factors that could influence the home’s size, layout, orientation, cost, construction approach, and long-term functionality.
Step 1: Zoning Review
Zoning regulations can regulate building height, building position, building area, and much more. It is important to know these regulations before moving into the next phase. I know a few horror stories where folks have built projects either too tall or without considering building position resulting in their municipality forcing them to remove the structure or create severe modifications to the project. Performing a zoning code review can make or break a project and shouldn’t be taken lightly. For more information about zoning codes, check out this post. Click here.
A zoning review is one of the most important parts of pre-design because it helps confirm what can legally be built on the property. Before a design moves forward, the project team needs to understand setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, use restrictions, and other local requirements that may shape the project.
Step 2: Building Code Review
Another major form of regulation is the building code. Our pre-design level building code review helps answer broad questions like size and construction type. Building code can, like zoning, influence the size of your building, and what materials should be used. Depending on the number of occupants in the structure will control large-scale decisions such as structural material. Knowing if the project can be built with wood versus concrete can drastically influence decisions moving forward. Combine this with a budget and you could have a real mess on your hands without knowing the code and jumping too quickly into the design. For more information about build code, check out this post. Click here
During a pre design consultation, building code questions can help identify early project constraints before more detailed design work begins. This helps reduce the risk of developing a concept that later needs significant changes because of code, safety, occupancy, or construction requirements.
Step 3: Program Analysis
Aside from regulations, your needs also influence the design and represent the entire reason for the design in the first place. The program analysis is a review of your needs and how they compare to the size and the cost of the project. We begin the review by looking at your needs and creating a list similar to the one below. This begins to combine size and function so we can diagram solutions later.
Listing the number of bedrooms and bathrooms is not going to cut it. If you are looking to build your own home it is important to perform a series of self-reflection exercises that can uncover missed design opportunities. Evaluating your lifestyle to match your architecture can truly separate a house from a home. Here are a few questions straight out of our project intake questionnaire to get you started.
- If you plan on living in the home for a long period of time, have you considered ADA accessibility? Is this something you would be interested in?
- Are there any special spaces you are looking to create such as a reading nook or sauna?
- Does your living space need to have a strong connection to the outdoors?
- Is there a need to easily move between the kitchen and outdoor space for grilling?
- Do the living spaces need to have a strong connection to the street or backyard?
- How do you see yourself entertaining guests both indoors and out?
- Is there a view that you are trying to capitalize on? If so, from what space is the view most important?
- Do you have privacy concerns from the street or neighbors?
- Do you have any noise concerns related to a laundry room, busy road, etc?
- What is it like to come home from work? Do you see yourself entering the home from the garage or front door? If the garage is the primary entry do you prefer a laundry room near the garage or near the bedrooms?
Program analysis is where the project begins to move beyond generic or pre designed assumptions. A custom home should respond to how you actually live, entertain, rest, work, move through the property, and connect with the surrounding site.
Step 4: Sustainability Review
For those looking for a more efficient and energy-conscious design, you should consider a sustainability review. From the sun angle evaluations to common wind direction, it is important to consider the environmental elements that will influence the design. Knowing this information can influence window positions and even building orientation. For Example: Say you have a need for an outdoor space and want to extend its seasonal use. It’s important to know the common wind direction in your area. Knowing this can influence you to plant evergreen trees between the wind and the outdoor space to help reduce wind chill during cool autumn days. This is a simple way to spend more time outdoors.
This image above is an example of a Sun Study for a Project we did on 15th Ave. The red indicates the harsh sunlight which in this case is the sunlight facing south and west during the summer months. Knowing this allows us to control natural light, solar heat gain, and even the glare on a TV wall.
Sustainability review is another reason preliminary architecture matters. Site orientation, sun exposure, wind direction, window placement, outdoor living goals, and energy performance can all influence the direction of the design before the home’s layout is finalized.
Step 5: Planning and Diagramming
Step 5 is the largest step. The planning and diagramming is where all the information comes together. From the survey and zoning to programming and building code, this step is an exploration of potential solutions to the layout of the home. This phase needs to stay in diagram form to maintain design flexibility when moving forward into schematics design. The image below shows a “massing study” (study of home shape) indicated in blue where we wanted to connect the “public space” (Living, Dining, Kitchen) to the street and the pool. Eventually, this space will serve as a transitional space that invites guests to come hang out by the pool. The other image below shows a 3 story plan diagram that begins to organize the spaces and works through the spatial functionality of an urban home.
Planning and diagramming help translate pre-design research into early architectural direction. These diagrams are not final construction drawings. They are flexible tools used to test relationships between spaces, site conditions, circulation, views, privacy, outdoor living, and the overall shape of the home.
This is where the value of custom pre-design becomes clear. Instead of forcing a project into a pre designed layout, the architect can begin shaping the home around the client’s needs, the property, and the realities uncovered during the early research phase.
Step 6: Construction Cost Review
Budgets are always important and every design phase needs a cost evaluation. Typically we work with the owner’s cost consultant to think through what to expect when it comes to construction costs. Even though we are in the diagramming phase we still know a lot of information. The build code told us what we may have to use for the structure. The sun study or view gives us a hint into how many windows we will use, and the program gives us an idea of size. Pre-design cost evaluation is very crude, but maintaining an understanding of the budget will help you make decisions moving forward.
Construction cost review during pre-design can help align early design goals with budget expectations. While estimates at this stage are broad, they can still help the team make informed decisions before investing time in a direction that may not be realistic for the project.
Step 7: Design Budgets
Most projects need more than just architectural services. Once we have a clear understanding of the project we know how much the design will cost. Design costs oftentimes include not only architecture but any engineering and interior design services too. We provide those services and can subcontract any other design professional needed to get your project done.
Pre-design also helps clarify what professional services may be needed. Depending on the project, this may include architecture, structural engineering, civil engineering, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, or other consultants. Identifying these needs early can help create a more coordinated path forward.
Why Have Pre-designed Architectural Plans?
Pre-design is one of the most important steps because it is the most broad. In architecture, we are always evaluating the largest scale decisions first before moving into detail. Think of the design process as the layering of decisions. We are responding to the current information with design decisions and therefore must have as much information as possible before starting the design.
Although the phrase “pre-designed architectural plans” may sound like finished plans prepared in advance, CW Architects uses pre-design as a custom discovery and planning phase. The goal is not to hand you a generic plan. The goal is to gather the right information so the design can respond to your site, lifestyle, budget, code requirements, and long-term goals.
When pre-design is done well, the later phases of architecture can move forward with more clarity. The architect has stronger information, the client has a better understanding of the project, and the team can make design decisions with fewer unknowns.
Start Your Pre-Design Consultation
If you are planning a custom home, addition, or major renovation, a pre design consultation is one of the best places to begin. CW Architects can help you evaluate your goals, site conditions, zoning considerations, building code requirements, sustainability opportunities, budget expectations, and the early steps needed to move your project forward.
Starting with pre-design gives your project a stronger foundation before moving into schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration. Contact CW Architects to begin your pre-design consultation and take the first step toward a thoughtful, buildable design.