The Design Process: Schematic Design

“Innovate as a last resort.”
– Charles Eames.

Now that we have explored the initial architectural design process, Pre-Design we can move on to the second part of the design process - Schematic Design. Creativity will take center stage as architects develop the initial concepts and ideas for the project. In this post, we’ll dive into the world of Schematic Design, uncovering its significance, and understanding the key steps involved.

Client Communication and Collaboration.

This is easily the most personal and most important part of the Design Process as a whole. Architects listen to a client’s story, and get an idea of their lifestyle and goals. From there, they brainstorm design concepts and move into concept development.

Concept Development.

The stage where creativity takes full control! At this stage, architects generate ideas and explore different design options through sketches, diagrams, and 3D models. Architects will experiment with various design elements to create a compelling vision for their client’s space. This is the risk taking stage, We like to explore every option and idea, looking at things from all different angles and perspectives, as sometimes our own pre-conceived notions can get in the way of the best design solutions.

Space Planning.

Space planning is where architects define the layout of spaces within the building. This includes determining the sizes, shapes, locations of rooms, and other functional elements. Space planning is crucial for optimizing the functionality and efficiency of the building, ensuring that the design meets the needs of the users.

Design Refinement.

Once the initial concepts are developed, architects review and refine them based on feedback from the client and stakeholders. This can involve making adjustments to the design, incorporating additional ideas, and exploring different design alternatives. Typically we start with 3 or even up to 5 initial plan ideas, then deconstruct and reconnect, weighing the pros and cons of eash solution, taking the best parts of each design, refine again into 2 or 3 new plans, and finally refining to a floor plan that all are excited to move forward with. 

Schematic Design is a time of creativity, experimentation, and collaboration, as architects work to translate the project goals into a design vision that works. By the end of the Schematic Design phase, architects aim to have a refined and comprehensive floor plan that meets the project's functional, aesthetic, and budgetary requirements, setting the stage for the next phase of the design – Design Development!