 Chapter 3, the Process
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Topics
topics found only in the complete eBook
- Blowing Bubbles
- Getting Real
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Inside Out or Outside In
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This title is meant
literally. But let's start from the beginning.
The 'process' for
designing a house is much like anything. You start with some ideas,
some goals, and begin evolving it, starting with the most elementary
thinking. You collect information and continue refining until a
point where you are satisfied or the problem is solved. Fine, but is this
sufficient if we are dealing with something like a unique custom house
which has to in the end be built from detailed and technical drawings?
Where do you start other than with some particular ideas you have? Is
there a method that helps clear the trees to see the forest? (sorry
poor statement in our days of green). How much does the designer need to
know about construction? When do design drawings stop and drawings to
build by take over? In response, the building industry has created a
'process' as follows:
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All of these should be done
before you begin building. Some items can be combined or
abbreviated, but all in all, the process needs to be followed. We will discuss
generally here what all of these 'process' stages are and where to get
help with them if you choose will be in Chapter 4. The last Chapters of the book
are then organized
to focus on each stage chapter by chapter.
Site Analysis
Diagrams (see Chapter 5 & footnote 1
below)
Description: This is a 2 to
4 step drawing done of your site using a plot plan or land survey. It is
usually freehand and sketchy in any manner that records observations
and information about your land. The second step fashions this raw
information into your conclusions and 'ideas' about site conditions and
features. If you have a large site you decide on favorable
house locations in step 2 then redo the entire 2 steps on a 'micro' scale
around the house location selected.
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Your goals: The goals are to find a
location for the house, the location for access to the house, determine
site features to preserve and site problems to solve. Second you seek
relationships between the inside of the house and the exterior. You find
these now prior to beginning the floor plans.
Appropriate 'players' possibly
involved: You & if you chose a surveyor, an architect or residential
designer (RD), ecologist, or arborist. (civil engineers are recommended
only as an addition to another specialist).
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Idea Sketches
(seeChapter 7)
Sketches are an adjunct to the
Site through Schematic Design stages. They
are very useful to record and communicate ideas and thoughts you have.
Often a spiral notebook is used
as a diary and sketches are a principle ingredient. Sketches are
most beneficial in showing other 'players' what you are thinking. (See
examples in the final book). Appropriate 'players' possibly involved: most
of all you although the RD and architect should
use these as well.
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| Relationship
Diagrams (Bubble Diagrams) (see the book Chapter 7) Description: A widely misunderstood graphic stage
essential to uncovering basic concepts and avoid getting bogged down with
details too soon. Only relationships of major elements are considered
without including shape and size. The Site analysis provides
important input. These are done in a loose, fast almost cartoon
manner. (See examples in the book).
Your goals:
To think about alternative relationships and juxtapositions allowing a
final determination of alternatives for development in the next stage.
Appropriate
'players' possibly involved: Should be most of all you. If an
architect or RD is hired you should be directing their work with these.
The diagrams then become the meets and bounds for the 'team' to discuss
and explore ideas, etc. |
 
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Schematic
Drawings (see Chapter 7)
Description: Takes
the general 'bubbles' and turns them into rooms or spaces. The
geometry of the house is studied such as shape and size. Ideas about
windows and walls or other types of separation are started. As many
alternative plans as seem attractive are done. Walls are still freehand
but are only one line thick. A principle exterior view is sketched to scale (called an
elevation or axonometric). (See the appendix for a checklist and for
technical material, see examples in the final book).
Your goals:
To define the basic floor plan/s and exterior to scale and to arrive at
one preferable design to develop in the next stage.
Appropriate
'players' possibly involved: If you have already hired an Architect
or RD they would most likely do these but there is no reason you can not
with the aid of some graph paper or simple CAD software. |
A
B
. numerous alternatives
C |
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Design Development Drawings or Final Design
Drawings
(see Chapter 8)
Description: This stage takes the preferred
schematic design and continues to develop it with more and more detail
until it represents all of your design and practical needs. Another party
should be able to take these drawings and produce construction documents
with little further discussion or study. All views (elevations) of the
exterior are included to scale as well as basic dimensions and materials.
These are 'hardline' drawings showing where walls are accurately located.
Walls are
double lines and usually done in CAD but hand drafting is ok. Must be
accurate.
Your goals: To
have everything defined and solved for the final construction drawing
stage.
Appropriate 'players' possibly
involved: If you are not familiar with construction and drafting this is a
good time to turn matters over to an Architect or RD. An Engineer is also
a possibility if you are very comfortable with the level of design
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Construction
Drawings (see Chapter 8)
Description: These are the drawings
the builder uses to build from. They should be CAD or 'hardline'
drafted, very accurate and fully dimensioned. Everything you want
should show on these and anything that you want built different than
normal must be fully detailed and explained. Any engineering required by
code or the builder must be included. Builders and Building Departments
vary on the amount of detail they require as well as an Architects or PE's
(Professional Engineer) stamp. (See the appendix for a checklist and for
technical material, see examples in the final book). Your goals: To have a set
of drawings complete enough for your builder and complete enough to avoid
mistakes, confusion or 'assumptions'. Appropriate 'players' possibly
involved: Unless you intend to become an RD or have significant
residential construction knowledge as well as drafting experience you
should hire someone to do these. All the main 'players' discussed in the
next Chapter should be able to do them. There are though CAD programs
available that can produce these. They are more complex and expensive than
the ones available for early design.
Go here for software reviews. |
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an
abbreviated 'process'.
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1.Relationships (bubbles) 2.Schematic Plans & Elevations 3.Final Plans & Elevations 4. Construction Drawings
IDEAS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------REAL
(as many alternatives and renditions of
alternatives for the first 2 stages as necessary to get what you want.
Your land and your budget are constantly inputting at each stage).
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For the remainder
of this chapters topics as well graphics please purchase
this book.
purchase this book
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