{"id":1187,"date":"2022-03-29T11:00:13","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T11:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.id9.com\/?page_id=1187"},"modified":"2025-10-27T18:58:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T18:58:13","slug":"a1-2-contract-documents","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.id9.com\/index.php\/a1-2-contract-documents\/","title":{"rendered":"A3.3 Planning & Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A3.3 <\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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PLANNING<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

AND DESIGN<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Schematic Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Upon reviewing the owner or id9 prepared program, site, schedule, budget, and delivery method, the process of preparing Schematic Design documents can begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schematic design is the first of the five increments of basic architectural services defined in most AIA standard forms of agreement between owner and architect. During schematic design (SD), id9 works with the client and other project team members to explore alternative concepts for addressing the client\u2019s needs. A preferred design direction is selected for further exploration from these alternatives, and schematic design typically ends with a presentation of the proposed design including plans of each floor level, major elevations, outline specifications, a budget estimate, and other information needed to clearly describe how the design meets the client\u2019s project program and goals.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Major Variables Affecting Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step in schematic design is usually identification of major issues that must be addressed\u2014at least at a conceptual level. Although every project is unique, the following factors generally are the basis for most project designs: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Program<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The program sets out the core of the design problem\u2014the project objectives and the spaces and functional requirements to be accommodated. Most programs are unique to a project and client and, therefore, call for unique solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Codes and Regulations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regulatory constraints on design have increased steadily. Beginning with simple safety requirements and minimal land use and light-and-air zoning, building codes and regulations have grown into a major determinant in design. In addition to formal code requirements, a growing number of public agency approvals influence design in a more subjective, less structured way. Additionally, designs may be adjusted to satisfy community groups, neighbors, and public officials. These design adjustments are often ad hoc efforts to meet objections or to gain support rather than direct responses to codified requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sites<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The building site, of course, has a major influence on building design. Physical characteristics (such as size, configuration, topography, and geotechnical issues), existing structures, environmental factors (views, existing vegetation, climate, solar orientation, drainage), access, adjacent land uses, and many other site factors become considerations in the final design. One site consideration that often has a significant effect on building design is the surrounding environment. Not only does the community context have obvious effects on building configuration, it also frequently influences the scale, detailing, color, and texture of the final design. A more direct influence on building design are existing structures to be incorporated into the project. A growing percentage of building design problems calls for working within the constraints of an existing structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Primary Steps in Schematic Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite the range of design opportunities and constraints that architects face, the schematic design process used by most architects includes the following activities in one form or another: <\/p>\n\n\n\n