When you contact DZN Partners we will schedule a time to meet with you at the project site to discuss your ideas and obtain a visual picture of your existing property. This initial meeting comes at no cost to you and allows the architect to meet you and attain a better understanding of the project.

Expenses are reimbursable including: printing, reproductions, postage, mileage and any other materials the architect will need for your project. Other expenses are municipal fees and can involve design review, impact, plan check and building permit fees. Following the initial meeting the architect will prepare and send you a probable opinion of preconstruction services and fees for your review.

Once you review the probable opinion and find it acceptable the architect will prepare an agreement for your project. When the architect is in receipt of the signed agreement and an initial payment, architectural services can begin on the project.

Our services provided consist of several phases of architectural services and any consultant services needed to assist the architect in completing the project. The architectural services are sequential, though overlap can occur between phases. The usual phases are: Pre-Design, Design & Design Development, Design Permit Processing, Construction Documents, Building Permit Processing, Bidding & Negotiation, and Construction Observation. Depending on the complexity of the project some of the usual phases may not be required.

Pre-Design:

The existing site conditions and the project scope are reviewed by the architect. If existing buildings are part of the project they will be measured and photographed. Also, any other adjacent structures or conditions will be documented if they will impact the project. The measured buildings and site are then drafted into a digital 3D model format to be used to develop the project design.

Design & Design Development:

The architect evaluates the information received from client meetings, including; the desired spaces, vision images, sketches and pre-design phase information to develop a design. The client and architect share ideas and communicate to develop the design together to reach the anticipated conclusion. When the design is complete the architect processes the design documents through any required municipal or association approvals in the Design Permit Processing Phase.

Design Permit Processing:

The Architect assists the Owner in connection with Owner’s responsibility for filing discretionary permits with design documents required for the approval of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the project. Discretionary permits include Coastal Permits, Design Review Permits, Use Permits or any other permit requiring approval beyond a building permit. Governmental authorities regularly change codes and interpretations of those codes without notice which may require design adjustments to the project design documents. The Architect prepares a response to cycles of governmental authority comments until the project design documents are deemed complete by governmental authorities.

Construction Documentation:

The project design is enriched by the architect with detailed drawings to precisely convey the design intent. Consultant work is coordinated and integrated with the architect’s drawings to create a unified set of construction documents. The construction documents are processed through municipal review to obtain a building permit in the building permit processing phase.

Building Permit Processing Phase:

The Architect assists the Owner in connection with Owner’s responsibility for filing construction documents required for the approval of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the project. Governmental authorities regularly change codes and interpretations of those codes without notice which may require adjustments to the project construction documents. The Architect prepares a response to cycles of governmental authority comments until the project construction documents are deemed complete by governmental authorities and permits are issued.

Bidding & Negotiation:

The client and architect choose contractors to bid on the project. Bid forms are prepared and sent to contractors with the construction documents so they can provide construction bids. The architect answers contractor questions about the project. The client and architect review the bids and negotiate with the selected contractor to achieve an agreement to build the project.

Construction Observation:

The architect observes the construction as it progresses to ensure that the project’s design intent is understood. The architect also acts as the client’s advocate by mediating matters that occur. If construction exposes unexpected circumstances the architect works with the client, consultants and contractor to achieve a solution.

Depending on the type of project you are considering and the complexity of the municipal approvals required, our time spent working together can range from a few months to several years.

The architect will give you an idea of the time required to complete your project in an initial meeting. Then the architect will follow up with a probable time schedule once work has begun on the project. You will be informed of any deviations from the time schedule as the project moves through the process.

Soils engineers, surveyors, civil engineers, landscape architects, structural engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, plumbing engineers, environmental engineers, sound engineers, and energy consultants.

The DZN Partners name originated with the concept of creating design partnerships. DZN is an acronym for the word design and we believe in becoming design partners with our clients. We use our design talent and your design visions to create exceptional projects.