Working with an Architect

Phase 1: Schematic Design
(Typically, ¼ of the total architect’s fee, duration: 2–4 months)
Designing a home is a journey—a collaborative process where outcomes reflect the effort, attention, and teamwork invested. At Trillium, we lead, communicate, facilitate, and coordinate with you to make the process worthwhile, rewarding, and cherished. A cherished home is a well-cared-for home, built to last and admired within its neighborhood.
No two clients or projects are the same. While our process follows consistent principles, it is flexible enough to respond to your unique goals, site, and lifestyle. A successful project is built on three pillars:
• Clear and thorough plans
• Timely decision-making
• Excellent communication
The Schematic Design Process
• Initial Meeting
Our first meeting is complimentary. It’s a chance for us to share our work, listen to your goals, and mutually determine if we’re the right fit.
• Getting to Know You
Once we agree on the project scope and fee, we dive into understanding you and your family—your routines, values, and lifestyle. If renovating, we document the existing house through photos and measurements. Any drawings, surveys, or paperwork you can share are invaluable at this stage.
• Design Exploration
We synthesize your input with our professional perspective, considering a broad range of factors, such as:
o Site history and existing conditions
o Balance, proportion, light, and air
o Relationship to surrounding context
o Functionality and livability
o Sustainable, healthy material and system choices
o Energy efficiency and comfort (heating, cooling, air, water)
o Life cycle, cost to build/operate/maintain
o Effective use and reuse of resources
o Codes, zoning, and fire safety
o Resale value
o Green certifications or rating systems (if applicable)
The schematic phase concludes when we produce a scheme (basic plans and elevations) that addresses your goals and feels right for you.
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Phase 2: Construction Documents
(Typically, ½ of the total architect’s fee, duration: 4–6 months or longer if permits are involved)
Once a design scheme is approved, we translate it into Construction Documents—a detailed “instruction manual” for your home. This is the most time-intensive and valuable portion of the architect’s work, involving:
• Continuous refinement of details and proportions
• Research and resolution of design questions
• Production of plans for bidding, permitting, and construction
Choosing a Builder
There are two main approaches:
1. Hiring a Builder Early
o Provides cost estimates during design
o Offers valuable input on building methods and value engineering
o Promotes smoother collaboration
o Recommended for high-performance or energy-efficient homes
2. Bidding After Documents Are Complete
o Several builders submit competitive bids
o Requires thorough vetting of references to avoid pitfalls
We guide you through either process, recommending trusted contractors we know to be honest, knowledgeable, and collaborative. The key to success is a team aligned from the beginning.
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Phase 3: Construction Administration
(Typically, ¼ of the total architect’s fee, duration: 12–18 months, aligned with construction timeline)
When construction begins, the General Contractor (GC) becomes the lead, managing subcontractors, scheduling, and finances. However, we remain by your side as advocates and problem-solvers.
During Construction
• Regular Site Visits
We attend weekly or bi-weekly meetings with you and the GC, reviewing progress and catching issues before they become problems.
• Decision Support
We help you navigate inevitable choices—fixtures, finishes, millwork, paint, tile—that are often not finalized until construction is underway.
• Clear Communication
We prioritize weekly meetings and ongoing dialogue to keep the team aligned and the project on track.
Our role is to be your eyes, ears, and voice on site until you’re happily living in your new home.
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Interior Design Services
All architects are also interior designers, but with deeper training in codes and construction. At Trillium, we love creating holistic designs where interiors and architecture are seamless.
Think of it this way:
• Architecture Services: Anything that “sticks” if you flip your house upside down.
• Interior Design Services: Anything that “falls out.”
Exceptions: Paint colors and tile layouts, which we categorize as Interior Design.
Because we already know your home, your style, and your drawings, we can provide interior design services efficiently and at lower cost than typical interior design firms.
For an additional hourly fee, we can help you:
• Select paint colors and finishes
• Choose decorative features
• Source and arrange furniture