Architectural Services

The PWA team begins a project by meeting with the clients, consultants, and other stakeholders to lay the groundwork for the project, determine how we will communicate with each other and how decisions will be made. Meetings focus on operational goals and objectives, tasks to be completed, budgetary concerns, the schedule, and any other potential issues, concerns and priorities. These meetings are critical to establishing goals and the direction for the project. Key team members will participate with you in this process to initiate a strong beginning to the planning and design process.

During this phase of a project we consult with the owners and other project stakeholders to confirm their goals and determine the project’s space requirements. From these discussions the project team develops design plans, sketches, models, a general project description, and a preliminary cost estimate. Deliverables may include a site plan, floor plan(s), sections, an elevation, renderings, and/or models. Additionally, we research zoning requirements or restrictions which may affect the project.

During the Design Development phase the project requirements from Schematic Design are refined. Engineering needs and building materials are defined, documents are prepared and presented to the Owner, and an equipment schedule is prepared. The level of detail is determined by the client and the project requirements. Drawings typically include door and window details and outline material specifications. Deliverable often include floor plans, sections, elevations with full dimensions.

Once a consensus is reached about the documents produced during Design Development, the project team proceeds to the Construction Documents phase of the project. During this phase the project team irons out major details and conditions including mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil systems, architectural drawings and specifications for all systems, equipment drawings. At this point the Project Manager produces an updated cost estimate. Construction documents are submitted to the governing authorities for review and comment. The deliverable for this phase of the project is a set of drawings and specifications that include all pertinent information required for contractors to price and build the project.

This phase of the project includes the preparation of bid documents that will go out to potential contractors for pricing. The bid document set often includes an advertisement for bids, instructions to bidders, a bid form, bid documents, the owner-contractor agreement, labor and material payment bond, and any other sections necessary for successful bidding. Responsibilities during this phase may include conducting a pre-bid conference, drafting proposals, distributing plans, drafting addenda, answering contractors questions, performing the bid opening, and preparing construction contracts.

Contract Administration (CA) services are rendered at the owner’s discretion. Responsibilities may include performing architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical contract administration, answering contractors’ questions, submitting drawings and clarifications, approving submittals, selecting color choices, issuing change orders, and performing a final inspection.