With the design process complete, your project continues through several important phases before construction is finished. From interior design and technical documentation to contract administration, each stage builds on the last to help transform your vision into a completed space. Here’s what you can expect along the way.

Interior Design

Many clients find the interior design phase to be one of the most enjoyable parts of the project. Once you and your architect have established the building’s form, you’ll begin selecting the design elements that showcase your style and personality.

Alongside one of our interior designers, you’ll review options for the:

• Tile
• Paint colors
• Flooring
• Cabinetry
• Hardware
• Appliances
• Plumbing fixtures
• And so much more!

Technical Documentation

In the technical documentation phase, the team prepares construction documents (CDs), drawings that show the contractor exactly how to construct the building. The CD set includes interior design selections and information the city needs to issue a building permit. It’s not uncommon for a CD set to be 30 pages or longer, and this process doesn’t involve much client input.

Site Plans

Site plans show how the building is positioned on the property. Topography provided by the civil engineer includes runoff diagrams and mitigation plans, as well as easements, setbacks, and other city requirements.

Floor Plans

Floor plans identify the project layout, doors, structural elements, finish materials, electrical fixtures, and roof details needed for construction. When applicable, they also show portions of the existing structure that will be removed for additions or renovations.

Elevations and Interior Details

Exterior elevations show the building’s materials, overall dimensions, floor and ceiling heights, and window locations. Interior elevations provide detailed views of individual rooms, highlighting material selections, counter and windowsill heights, finish and fixture choices, and layout.

Meanwhile, interior details include trim profiles, woodwork or plaster detailing, custom furniture design, and other specifics.

Section Drawings

Section drawings show how the different levels of a building connect. Detail sections provide an enlarged view of a specific part of the building to clarify construction details that cannot be shown clearly at smaller scales, such as how a roof meets a wall.

Schedules

Door schedules identify the location, size, finish, and hardware for each door, while window schedules specify the make, model, dimensions, and finish of every window.

Finish schedules outline the specific finishes and materials to be used, from the type of flooring to the paint color on the walls, along with the square footage required for each area. This room-by-room breakdown helps contractors prepare accurate estimates and order the right items in the correct amounts.

Third-Party Documents

Structural engineering documents provide the calculations and structural specifications needed to support the building. Civil engineering documents explain how the project affects the site, including grading, drainage, and other engineering requirements. Both are prepared by a third-party engineer.

Contract Administration

During contract administration, the architect manages the building contract between the client and the contractor while serving as the client’s representative throughout construction. The architect has many responsibilities in this phase.

• Site Visit – Depending on the stage of construction, your architect will visit the job site weekly or biweekly. They’ll observe completed work and ongoing progress, and answer the contractor’s questions.
• Request for Payment – When the contractor submits a request for payment, the architect reviews it to verify that the work has been completed correctly. If payment is requested for materials, the architect confirms the materials are on site.
• Preparation of Reports – After each site visit, the architect prepares a report summarizing the work completed since the previous visit. The report monitors alignment with construction documents and identifies action items for the contractor to ensure the project meets design standards.
• Punch List – Once construction is complete, the architect walks through the project with the client and creates a punch list of items that need to be completed or corrected. The architect continues to revisit the list until every item has been addressed to the client’s satisfaction.

Build With a Team That Plans Ahead

Clear expectations and thoughtful decisions affect the timeline from day one. Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design guides homeowners through each step, translating ideas into buildable plans while keeping the project organized and on schedule. The focus stays on creating a home that reflects your priorities without unnecessary surprises along the way.

To start your design journey, contact us online or give us a call at (314) 576-5888!