The Architectural Design Process

In the Philippines, the scope of an architect's work during the design process is officially delineated by the UAP SPP Document 202 (Standard of Professional Practice).

This document formalizes the sequential phases of design and establishes the architect's responsibilities, the deliverables for each phase, and the standard compensation methods. It serves as the legal and ethical basis for the Architect-Client agreement.

Before any design work begins, the architect must thoroughly understand the client's needs, the site's constraints, and the project's parameters.

• Project Brief: A detailed document outlining the client's goals, functional requirements, and budget.
• Consultation: Consulting with the owner to ascertain the conceptual framework and related requirements of the project.
• Site Analysis: Evaluating topography, climate, sun paths, wind directions, zoning laws, and context.

During Schematic Design, the architect translates the programmatic requirements into initial spatial concepts.

• Massing and Form: Exploring the basic shape and volume of the building.
• Spatial Relationships: Arranging spaces based on adjacencies and flow.
• Initial Plans: Creating rough floor plans, elevations, and initial statement of probable project construction cost (SPPCC).

In this phase, the schematic design is refined and solidified. The focus shifts from abstract concepts to specific materials and systems.

• Material Selection: Choosing interior and exterior finishes, reviewing samples, and understanding material behaviors.
• Engineering Coordination: Coordinating with allied engineering disciplines (Structural, MEP) to define the framing and utility routing.
• Detailed Drawings: Producing more accurate floor plans, elevations, sections, and preliminary schedules.

The Contract Document phase produces the comprehensive set of instructions required to bid, obtain permits, and build the project.

• Working Drawings: Highly detailed, dimensioned architectural, structural, and MEP drawings that illustrate precisely how the building is to be constructed.
• Technical Specifications: Written documents that detail the quality of materials, installation methods, and performance criteria for all components of the building.

The architect assists the client in obtaining competitive bids from contractors or negotiating a contract with a single builder.

• Procurement: The goal is to select a qualified contractor who can execute the design within the budget and desired timeframe.
• Assistance: The architect prepares bid documents, answers queries during bidding, and helps evaluate the submitted bids.

During construction, the architect acts as the client's representative, ensuring that the contractor is building according to the Contract Documents.

• Site Visits: Periodic inspections to verify that work is executed according to the plans.
• Submittal Review: Approving shop drawings, product data, and material samples submitted by the contractor.
• RFIs (Requests for Information): Formally clarifying design intent or addressing unforeseen site conditions.
• Change Orders: Processing modifications to the contract sum or time due to changes in scope.

An assessment of how well a building performs after it has been occupied.

• Performance Metrics: Evaluating energy consumption, water usage, and overall functionality against original goals.
• User Feedback: Surveying users to determine if the design met their functional, environmental, and psychological needs.
• Feedback Loop: Providing valuable lessons learned for continuous improvement in future projects.

Rigorous planning steps to evaluate viability and optimize cost.

• Feasibility Studies: Conducted before design begins to determine if a project is legally, technically, and financially viable (e.g., market analysis, site constraints, ROI).
• Value Engineering (VE): A systematic method to improve the "value" of a project. The objective is to achieve the required building functions at the lowest total cost (capital, operating, and maintenance) without sacrificing quality, safety, or aesthetics. Most effective during Schematic Design or Design Development.

Before drawing begins, the architect must analyze the client's spatial needs.

• Space Matrix: A grid analyzing the relationships and required adjacencies between different rooms (e.g., Kitchen must be adjacent to Dining).
• Bubble Diagrams: Schematic drawings using circles to represent spaces and lines to represent relationships and circulation paths, translating the matrix into a preliminary layout.

The contractual frameworks that define how a project is organized, financed, and built.

• Design-Bid-Build (DBB): The traditional method. The owner holds two separate contracts: one with the Architect and one with the General Contractor. Offers clear phases but can be slower.
• Design-Build (DB): The owner holds a single contract with a Design-Build entity. Design and construction phases overlap (fast-tracking), potentially saving time.
• Construction Management (CM): The owner hires a Construction Manager early in the design phase to provide pre-construction services alongside the architect.