Design and Building Services
What We Do
We believe in taking your project from initial concept to completion with thoughtful attention to every detail along the way. Whether you're planning to transform your existing home or create something entirely new, we bring the same careful consideration to understanding your needs, the site conditions, and how to best achieve your goals within your budget.
Our unique strength lies in our ability to see each project holistically from the start, developing comprehensive building plans and specifications that anticipate challenges and opportunities. When time is of the essence or unexpected conditions arise, our combined design and construction expertise allows us to adapt quickly while maintaining the project's core vision.
We offer our services with flexibility to match your specific needs. Some clients engage us for the full journey from design through construction, while others may work with us for design only, bringing in their own contractor for construction. Similarly, we're happy to build projects designed by others when our schedule and location parameters align. Whatever path you choose, we bring the same dedication to quality and attention to detail to every project.
Our Specialty
We focus on medium to large-scale residential projects where thoughtful planning and precise execution create the most value for our clients. Our sweet spot is in comprehensive renovations, significant additions, and new home construction where we can fully leverage our integrated design and building expertise. These projects give us the scope to implement high-performance building practices and carefully considered design solutions that significantly improve how you experience your home.
For additions and renovation projects, we typically work with budgets starting at $250,000, with costs beginning at $450 per square foot. New construction projects start at $400 per square foot, reflecting our commitment to quality materials and high-performance building practices. Whether we're transforming an existing home or building new, we approach each project with the same thorough attention to detail and performance.
Design Services
Our approach to design grows from a deep appreciation for how spaces shape our daily lives. We work collaboratively with you to create thoughtful, detailed building plans that balance beauty, functionality, and energy efficiency while carefully considering your budget and timeline. Throughout the process, we provide comprehensive documentation including design concepts, building plans and elevations, material selections, and detailed construction specifications.
When needed, we coordinate seamlessly with structural engineers, energy consultants, and other specialists to create complete building packages that meet all technical requirements. For projects where we're not handling the construction ourselves, we can provide oversight during the building phase to ensure the design intent is properly executed.
Important Note: For any new construction project or renovation that involves expanding your home's footprint, you will need a professional survey completed within the last 5 years. We can recommend qualified surveyors if needed.
Additions & Renovations
Transform your existing space through thoughtful design that respects your home's character while meeting contemporary needs. Our additions and renovations projects typically start at a minimum budget of $250,000. We approach each project as a unique opportunity to enhance both the function and beauty of your home, whether through thoughtful additions, whole-house renovations, historic home updates, or creative space reconfigurations.
When renovating or adding to existing homes, we pay special attention to integrating modern performance standards while preserving architectural integrity. This often means finding creative ways to improve insulation, air sealing, and mechanical systems without compromising historic features or aesthetic appeal. We carefully analyze existing conditions to identify opportunities for improvement, whether that's upgrading windows while maintaining historical appearance, incorporating energy-efficient systems, or improving ventilation for better indoor air quality.
When expanding your home's footprint, we'll work closely with structural engineers and other required professionals to ensure all technical requirements are met.
New Construction
For new construction, we have the opportunity to optimize every aspect of your home's performance from the ground up. Our process begins with careful site analysis, studying solar orientation, prevailing winds, and natural drainage patterns to inform the home's placement and design. We believe that a truly well-designed home works in harmony with its environment to create comfortable, healthy spaces while minimizing energy consumption.
This holistic approach means considering everything from the building envelope and mechanical systems to window placement and material selections. We design high-performance wall assemblies that maximize insulation while managing moisture effectively. Mechanical systems are right-sized and integrated thoughtfully into the design, prioritizing both efficiency and comfort. Window placement is optimized to capture natural light and views while managing solar heat gain across seasons.
Throughout the design process, we collaborate with energy consultants to model and refine the home's performance, ensuring our choices lead to real, measurable benefits in comfort and efficiency. For new construction projects, we coordinate extensively with structural engineers and other specialists to create a complete building package that meets both performance and aesthetic goals.
Construction Services
As experienced builders, we can bring your project to life whether we designed it or are working from plans by another architect. Our construction services include:
- Pre-construction planning and budgeting
- Project management and scheduling
- Quality craftsmanship and attention to detail
- Coordination of trusted subcontractors
- Clear communication throughout the process
Investment Range
- Renovations and Additions: Starting at $450 per square foot
- New Construction: Starting at $400 per square foot
- Final costs depend on scope, materials, and site conditions
Design + Build
When we handle both the design and construction phases of your project, we're able to maximize the integration of performance features while maintaining strict quality control throughout the process. This comprehensive approach allows us to carefully detail and execute critical components like air barriers, insulation, and mechanical systems that directly impact your home's comfort and efficiency. Our expertise in both design and construction means we can accurately estimate costs for high-performance features during the design phase and ensure they're properly implemented during construction.
The design-build approach also streamlines communication and decision-making, leading to a more efficient process from concept to completion. With a single point of responsibility, we're able to maintain consistency in both design intent and quality control throughout your project, resulting in better cost control and fewer surprises along the way. This integrated process is particularly valuable when implementing advanced building systems or energy-efficient features that require careful coordination between design and execution.
Getting Started
Before our initial consultation, please consider:
Project Goals
- How will you use the space?
- What's not working in your current space?
- What's your desired timeline?
Budget Framework
- Have you established a realistic budget?
- Are funds available or do you need financing?
- What are your priority items vs. "nice-to-haves"?
Decision Making
- Who are the key decision-makers?
- Do you have any design preferences or must-haves?
- Are there any specific materials or features you want to incorporate?
What to Expect
Initial Contact
1. Complete our brief project questionnaire
2. Schedule a phone consultation
3. If there's a potential fit, arrange an on-site meeting
Research & Analysis
- Site evaluation
- Code and zoning review
- Existing conditions documentation
Design Phase (if applicable)
- Concept development
- Material and finish selection
- Construction documentation
Construction Phase
- Detailed schedule and logistics plan
- Regular progress updates
- Quality control inspections
- Final walk-through and project completion
We pride ourselves on clear communication and thorough planning to ensure successful outcomes. Our process requires active client participation and timely decision-making to maintain project momentum and achieve the best results.
