PREDESIGN

The Dream: Understanding clients, site and their needs.

The Team: de-spec assembles and manages stellar project teams including all necessary consultants such as the architect of record; landscape architect; civil, structural, MEP engineers; and other specialty consultants for insight, local knowledge and government approvals. The collaboration provides many advantages to both the client and project, knowing de specs team is experienced in taking methodical measures to achieve the objectives set in the project without compromising design.

The Program: Developing the program that is about the client/user groups, their needs, budget and schedule

The Site: Zoning, Climate and local governmental requirements are interpreted to enable the design ideals set in the Dream.

DESIGN

Schematic Design:
Schematic Design captures the essence of the project intentions. Plans and models are produced to show the solution and to enable the client/user groups to understand the scale, proportion, quality of light, and how the space will be fully experienced. We find that solutions become stronger when client/user groups are engaged in the process with a full understanding of the design.

Design Development:
During DD we evolve solutions set out and agreed upon at the end of SD with details that make the project tactile, colorful and fully designed. Equally important, a better understanding of the price and availability of materials becomes more refined, enabling important decisions to be made as construction drawings will be commencing. At the end of this phase, clients have the option for having photorealistic renderings produced.

Construction Documentation:
De-spec has experience producing documents for buildings and projects ranging from 150 square feet to 200,000 square feet on 100 acres. Working in different contexts and languages, we approach construction documents as the way to communicate our design intentions to the builder. A tool that also serves as a basis of agreement between clients and builders. To this end, de-spec emphasizes that detail makes the project and if it is drawn, it will be built.

Pre Construction:
De-spec sees itself as a partner to the client/user groups and the goal is to complete the team with the right building. Soliciting and reviewing bids to weigh options, this phase is about choosing a building while pricing and calibrating the budget and schedule. Clients will select and form agreements with the chosen builder and de-spec will plan for launching construction.

CONSTRUCTION

With the start of construction, the team is complete and de-spec job shifts to assisting the builder and clients in realizing the project as one team. From start to finish, our shared goal is to maximize the experience of the architecture, interiors and landscape as one, with the client/user groups needs at the top of the priority list. Our focus is on finish and finesse as we want it to be a lasting, beautiful investment for years to come.

TECHNOLOGY

Combined with communication, technology enables de-spec to coordinate and achieve a ‘positive experience’ for the team. An easy to use digital platform enables for a variety of engagements, communication and dissemination of information to clients, consultants and builders simultaneously. In addition, an online folder is created for accessibility of all records including design updates, presentations and reports. de-spec utilizes an all-in-one accounting and invoicing software to manage project budgets and billing from one platform.