Our Services
Your home or place of work is one of your biggest investments, but no one provides instructions on how to maintain and build it to your needs. We work with residential and commercial clients having anywhere from small to large budgets. Our services can offer value to your project from providing consultant services, if you prefer light guidance, to full delivery should a more involved approach be desired.
If you don’t need full design services, we can offer consultations or limited assistance. This may be ideal for small projects or early-stage planning. Common examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
Reviewing feasibility of the project
Providing initial design thinking
Helping navigate zoning regulations
Please feel free to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with our experienced design team to explore potential opportunities tailored to your unique needs.
Analysis & Strategy
Whether you are looking to purchase or invest in real estate, modify or add to an existing property, or are simply considering to move locations, it can be a valuable process to review potential opportunities and set clear goals prior to diving into planning.
We provide pre-design services through in depth analysis, zoning research, feasibility evaluation, programming, developing a high level budget if desired, and efficient delivery of a summary report through a highly collaborative process.
Design & Planning
We offer our clients a commitment to efficient, organized planning, and impactful design. In this phase, we begin to bring your vision to life. We seek smart solutions to challenging questions. Architecture is about the design and construction of the built environment, and how our senses interpret that experience.
When appropriate, we also offer collaboration through community engagement sessions and iterative design workshops.
Project Management
Larger or especially more complex projects can become overwhelming. No matter the size of the project, a well organized process brings great value to a successful collaboration.
Our approach integrates robust project coordination, schedule management, and communication skills honed over years of experience.
Architectural Delivery
We have experience in delivering impactful projects anywhere from Schematic Design, Design Development, Documentation for construction and permitting all the way through Construction Administration.
We take pride in our rigorous attention to detail in every project from inception to completion.
Peer Reviews
Building is a significant investment for anyone, and should be considered carefully as early in the process as possible. Making adjustments later can have a significant impact on the quality, schedule, management, and cost of the project.
If you are looking for an independent review we can help individuals and organizations identify areas for development in their work.
What is Architecture?
Architecture is the built form evolving from a humanistic expression of our physical space through the design of our environment. Architecture can take many forms from designing and constructing buildings to smaller installations or renovations. Small gestures can also have a great impact.
Architects are designers, problem solvers, and communicators.
They can custom design from scratch, create a story around a mission, or help modify an existing plan that does not currently meet your needs. For most people, their home or businesses will be the biggest investment they will do or asset they possess, and any renovations may be the first and last. Therefore, we work with contractors and other professionals to establish clear limits and timelines to help control costs. Buildings should be designed and constructed to quality standards that provide safety, wellness, growth, keep in mind potential resale values, and last for not only the next 20+ years, but the building’s lifespan of 100+ years.
When it comes to building, Architects serve as leaders.
Project sites can be challenging or a potential opportunity depending on how we look at it. Construction can be a complex process that can quickly become overwhelming to those with less experience. It involves numerous trades requiring meticulous coordination all while preserving the quality of the client’s vision. Some key coordinating responsibilities include, but are not limited to, those listed below:
Engineers
Contractors
Navigating local and sometimes federal governments
Local communities
Utility companies
Conflicting schedules
Balancing budgets
Optimization of materials
Strategic planning
Selection of materials, fixtures, and finishes
Equipment selection
Project management
Legal responsibilities
Confirm quality standards: construction meets the contract documents.
Hiring an architect can potentially help avoid higher risks of overlooking critical details or code compliance issues. We recommend not rushing through the design process as this is the time where changes are easiest and cheapest to implement. We believe that involving a contractor and architect in the process as early as possible will be beneficial to the efficiency and quality of the overall project.
Architects are trained to not only bring value to a client with an eye for design, but see the whole picture of a project as it will come together like a conductor. As a leader, the conductor is responsible for unifying the musicians, setting the tempo, and shaping the overall interpretation of the music. In the end, Architects serve as a partner and representative leader for the client taking the project from conception through execution.
Why should I work with an Architect?
Process
Architectural services can vary significantly between projects based on any number of factors. This is a simplified reference diagram presenting a typical Design-Bid- Build process for those new to working with architects. Early pricing can be available after the planning & Schematic Design Phase if a contractor is willing to consult sooner than later. Ideally, we prefer to work with a client from early design stages through construction to ensure the client’s vision remains intact. Although, we are happy to collaborate with partners, help transition work to other firms, and selectively work on any combination of project phases that best serves the client and project’s mission.
Architectural Services can be selected as individual phases or grouped as needed
See the AIA for further reference material on an Architect’s basic services
Testimonials
“As the lead developer and attorney of our adaptive reuse proposal for the historic Roseland Theater in Chicago, I had the pleasure to collaborate with Jonathan from the initial interview process through the early programming, concept design, and community engagement stages. The Wis(dom) Connection Initiative is a Black woman-led, cooperatively governed, resident-controlled, youth-focused, and community owned commercial redevelopment project. The nature of this project, and the history of this underserved community incurred complex challenges requiring mutual respect, trust, patience, flexibility, sensitivity, and genuine collaboration.
Jonathan’s approach to working with the community, leadership, and project management was exemplary. I have no doubt that he will bring the same level of dedication to any future endeavor.”
-Elizabeth L. Carter Esq., Managing Member
“Being a historical anchor for the community, the addition, renovation, and preservation of the theater required significant coordination, sensitivity, respect for cultural heritage, and creative innovation to be successful.
During my time working with Jonathan, I have found his integrity, commitment, leadership, and approach to management through critical thinking and communication to be an asset. I believe that he will be a strong resource to any mission driven organization in need of future guidance.”
-Michael Maynard, Board Chair Emiritus
