WHAT IS SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE?

As architects, we rely on multiple design phases in our projects to ensure a smooth schedule and workflow for everyone on the project team. The Schematic Design phase is the first phase of the architectural design project schedule. Good programming and planning lay the groundwork for a successful design process, and ultimately a successful construction project.

Schematic design is one of our favorite phases because it could be a lot of fun, especially if your design team practices good planning and project management moving forward. While the end goal of the architectural design process is a built and occupied structure, these first efforts during the schematic design phase are imperative for success and efficiency in the rest of the project scope.

WHAT IS SCHEMATIC DESIGN?

Schematic Design is the first phase of the architectural design process. At this stage, your design team begins to describe the architectural and tectonic elements of the project design.

The team takes the programming and concept design, and translates it into architectural and spatial designs. Most of us explore many ideas in this phase in order to achieve the best possible design solutions.

Two important components for a successful schematic design phase are site analysis and programming. Both the building program and location have significant implications in the design process, so it’s important to have a solid understanding of these foundational components at this stage.

WHO'S INVOLVED IN SCHEMATIC DESIGN?

This phase begins shortly after the project is started. While all team members and stakeholders can be involved in the schematic design process, it is more likely that the project Owner and Architect will be the most involved in this phase.

During this phase, you and the client work closely, to make sure all the necessary building program needs are covered in the project design. In fact, your client may be more involved in the day-to-day workings of the Schematic Design stage than any other design stage hereafter.

Your architecture team will use tools like schematic diagrams and sketching to quickly convey spatial ideas to the client. These tools allow iterations and prevent any team member from settling on an idea prematurely.

WHAT COMES AFTER SCHEMATIC DESIGN?

By the end of schematic design, your architecture team should have a fundamental understanding of the scale and the systems of the project. There should be clarity about the various consultants and engineers that will be needed in order to proceed to the design development phase.

After the SD phase, the project will move into design development, and then into the construction document phase. The schedule and the budget of a project will determine the scope of each phase of the design.

During the next design phase, you and your team will flesh out the schematic design ideas even more, in order to more fully understand how the various systems and elements of the building design are integrated into the ultimate construction project.

As architects, it is common for multiple ideas and design concepts to be explored and developed during the schematic design phase. Ultimately, only one is chosen, but it’s important not to settle on any particular option too quickly in this stage, in order to make room for creative solutions and approaches.

But, if you do decide to explore multiple design options in schematic design, it’s necessary to choose one before moving forward into the design development phase. So everyone is on the same page when your team develops the design further.