Project Process and Structure
A successful project depends on clarity in design before construction commitments are made.
As architects, we act as the filter between early design decisions and construction coordination, guiding the design so it is fully resolved in scope, intent, and documentation before it enters pricing and builder involvement.
For construction, pricing is no longer vague, and the outcome is governed by the architectural drawings.
Most homeowners come to us before they know whether to remodel, add on, or rebuild. Figuring out the right direction is the first thing we do together.
The Four Phases of a Project
The first two happen before any design commitment is made.
01: Discovery Call
A conversation about your property, goals and which direction makes sense. We are direct about what is realistic. No design fee. No obligation. Most architects begin design before fully understanding what a site will allow. If there is a fit, our next step is a Feasibility Study, which is an assessment of your property's constraints, opportunities, and realistic cost direction before a single design decision is made.
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The Discovery Call is typically 20 to 30 minutes. You do not need to arrive with a budget, a plan, or a clear direction. Most homeowners come with a general sense of what they want to change and a lot of open questions. That is exactly what it is designed for.
We discuss your property, how you use the space today, and what you are trying to achieve. From there, we can determine whether the project is a good fit, outline a realistic scope direction, and identify the appropriate next step in terms of process and timeline.
If something is not aligned with what is realistically achievable, we will say so at this stage rather than months into design.
You leave with clarity on fit, direction, and next steps. Nothing is owed.
02: Feasibility Study
A structured review of your property, zoning, and site conditions before any design begins. Includes an on-site visit with a licensed architect, assessment of what can realistically be built, guidance on remodel vs. addition vs. rebuild, and a written project summary with next steps. Most clients describe it as the clearest picture they have had of any home project.
What's Possible →What Your Property Can Support
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What the Feasibility Study delivers
The Feasibility Study is a structured review of your property, zoning context and site conditions before any design begins. It is how we establish what is actually possible on your property rather than carrying assumptions into the project.
Before moving into full design, we identify and verify zoning requirements, setbacks, permitted use and existing structural constraints. These factors determine what can be designed and approved. Knowing them early prevents situations where a project reaches design development only to encounter constraints that require starting over.
The study includes:
Pre-meeting review of lot-specific zoning, planning requirements and available property information
One on-site visit of up to 60 minutes led by a licensed architect
Assessment of feasibility, site constraints, structural considerations and architectural development opportunities
Guidance on remodel, addition or new construction strategies
Preliminary review of layout potential, massing and permitting implications
Written project summary and alignment on next steps into full architectural services
03: Architectural Design and City Approvals
Design developed and refined before anything is documented for permit. We coordinate structural engineers, manage city approvals and respond to corrections. You review at key milestones.
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Full architectural services
This phase covers everything from early design concepts through to a fully permitted, ready-to-build set of drawings. You are involved at every key milestone and review the design before it moves forward.
Schematic design and spatial planning
Design development and refinement
Construction drawings and documentation
Structural engineer and consultant coordination
Permit application and city submission
Corrections, responses and approval management
Permit timelines vary significantly by city. Saratoga, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills each have distinct review processes that we manage from start to approval. We keep you informed at every stage rather than after the fact.
04: Construction Phase Support
We remain involved through the build. Site visits, clarifications and contractor coordination. What gets built matches what was designed.
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Architect of record through construction
Our involvement does not end at permit approval. During construction we remain available to the contractor for design clarifications, review any proposed changes against the original design intent and conduct site visits at key stages of the build.
When a contractor has a question on a Friday, it gets answered that day with full context of what was designed and why. That continuity protects the quality of the finished project.
Construction phase support is not a separate contract. It is part of how we work. A home that gets built accurately, without design intent being lost to contractor interpretation, is the outcome we are here for.
What the experience actually looks like
We meet on site and come back with a clear picture of what is possible on your specific property.
Early design: working drawings we discuss and revise together before they become expensive to change.
Permit phase: we submit, follow up, and respond to corrections. In Saratoga, second-story additions require design review with neighbor notification. In Los Altos, planning approval precedes building permit submission regardless of project size. In Sunnyvale, second-story additions require separate design review approval. Mountain View and Campbell standard additions go directly through the building department. We know which applies to your property.
Construction: contractor questions get answered correctly and quickly.
See the homes this process has produced → [projects]
Timeline
A typical project runs 8 to 16 months from Discovery Call through construction documents and permit. Construction timeline varies by project scope. A project-specific timeline is provided during the Feasibility Study
Go deeper on planning, feasibility, and zoning → Project Planning Guide · Feasibility & Starting Smart · What's Possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Earlier than you think. Most clients come to us before speaking to a contractor
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No. Budget range is one of the first things we work through together.
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If it requires design or permits, it is worth a conversation.
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The Discovery Call is not a commitment. You leave with more information than you arrived with.
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If we are a good fit, the next step is a Feasibility Study: a paid assessment giving you scope, cost range and permit timeline before full design begins.
Discuss Your Project
We respond within one business day to confirm a time.
Your project. Your property. Your goals. That is where we begin.