Design Process

From the earliest stages of your project, Sopher Sparn Architects will be there to guide you through every step of the design process. Working closely with you and a team of consultants, we will serve as your advocate to ensure that your visions are realized and executed to the highest standards. We believe that a well-integrated team is crucial for a successful project. Therefore, we will be deeply involved in all consultant and municipal coordination, offering experience-based guidance and innovative solutions from Concept Design to Close Out.

  • We start by gathering information. As your partner, we want to hear your visions and goals for the project. This phase often includes:

    • Site Planning and Contextual Research

    • Determine Entitlements Path

    • Project Visioning Session

    • Sustainability Goals

    • Project Schedule

    • Budget Analysis

    • Zoning and Land Use Analysis

    • Feasibility and Yield Studies

    • Survey of Existing Conditions*

    • Preliminary Design Exploration

  • We begin creating a thoughtful building design using the information gathered in concept. This design, conveyed through floor plans, building elevations, and 3D renderings, will be developed alongside your feedback. This phase typically includes:

    • Renderings and Sketches

    • Client Feedback and Refinements

    • Historic District or Community Design Reviews*

    • Municipal Approvals

    • Preliminary Floor Plans and Space Planning

    • Code Analysis and Accessibility

    • Exterior Concepts and Elevation Studies

    • Building Orientation and Massing

  • During the design development phase, everything begins to come to life. In this refinement stage, your ideas are actualized as we prepare to fine-tune the details. This phase often includes:

    • Advancement of Design for Production

    • Material and Product Selections

    • Preliminary Specifications

    • Interior Layouts and Design Studies

    • Client Feedback and Refinements

    • Consultant Coordination and Engineering

    • Preliminary Cost Estimation with Contractors

  • After approval, we continue to fully document our work in a precise and thorough set of drawings for the general contractor. In conjunction with our consultants, we will coordinate a construction document set that contains all the information necessary to properly convey your vision. This phase often includes:

    • Consultant Coordination

    • Quality Assurance / Quality Control of Project Documents

    • Final Specifications

    • Detail Drawings

    • Final Cost Estimation from Contractors

  • Before any construction can begin, we must submit the design to the respective city or county for approval. The timeline of this process can vary widely based on project size, complexity, and jurisdiction. Through the years, Sopher Sparn has built strong relationships with City and County officials which aids in our ability to navigate complex sites and design challenges during the entitlements and permitting process. This phase often includes:

    • Document Code Compliance

    • Monitor and Manage Municipal Submittal Progress

    • Conduct Internal Document Set Review

    • Revise and Resubmit Drawings per Local Jurisdiction Reviews

  • It’s time to start building. During the construction phase, we act as your advocate to uphold the design intent through project completion. Owner, architect, and contractor meetings (OACs) are regularly held to address any changes and track progress. This phase often includes:

    • OAC Meetings and Site Observations

    • Review of Contractor Requests for Information (RFIs)

    • Review of Product Submittal Packages

    • Continued Consultant Coordination

    • Review of Contractor Change Order Requests

    • Review of Contractor Payment Applications

  • After your project has been built, we give everything a final check to ensure the quality of the product matches the project expectations set previously. Furthermore, we will continue to lend ourselves to you if any additional needs arise. This phase often includes:

    • Punch Lists

    • Documentation Organization

    • Consultant Coordination

    • Additional Support