“The documents architects create go far beyond the quintessential floor plans with elevations we all picture in our heads.”

MH+D asks Scipione to tell us more.

Q. The design and construction process can be overwhelming for a client. What information is necessary before you begin a project? 

A. Projects almost always start with an initial idea from the client. This is often presented to us as a collection of pictures or images saved from the internet or cut from a magazine that conveys the likeness of that idea. Then we begin the process of turning these ideas into reality. A list of written wants and needs typically follows this first mental step. This list becomes the basis of what we call a “program,” which is the first important document in the design process. A good designer will help the client develop the program. This starts by asking questions that delve deeply into the client’s psyche to ensure a personal, individualized program for each unique client. This process takes place well before any line is drawn, so there is a solid direction for the project. 

Q. What documents are needed? 

A. The actual construction documents are the most powerful and include detailed drawings, the owner–contractor agreement, and the general conditions for the project that define the ground rules for the construction process. 

Also key are any specifications and detailed descriptions of products to be used or the desired performance standards the architect requires that are deemed essential for the work. The more coordinated and cohesive the architectural drawings are when presented to a builder, the smoother the path will be to the completed project.

A good set of drawings will include entire building sections and interior and exterior elements, such as trim details at the exposed side of an interior stair, or how the roof overhang and associated trim components will look. There is a famous old saying, “The devil is in the details,” which was more accurately realigned by a famous architect to “God is in the details.” 

Other architectural drawings that can pay dividends during the construction process are reflected ceiling plans; finish plans (noting the wall and floor finishes planned for the spaces); and plumbing, mechanical, and electrical drawings. Working through the drawings for the various trades forces a level of coordination during the design and drawing process that makes for a smoother and more efficient (in terms of both time and money) process with the builder during construction. 

Q. What’s one document that is often overlooked for a residential project? 

A. Sections, sections, and more sections. A section is what would be seen if you took a knife and cut through an entire building, or through a specific area like the overhang of a roof. Like cutting a slice out of a frosted layer cake, it allows you to see what the whole is made up of. Cutting sections through various spaces and assemblies is one of the most valuable tools an architect has during the design process. Sketching out the interactions between building elements or materials allows for any potential problems to be identified, such as clearances (horizontal and vertical) or assembly feasibility.

Q. What are field report documents?

A. Field reports are a type of documentation utilized during the construction/contract administration phase of a project. As they are so aptly named, they are reports created by the architect following their visit to a site or project, and they include coordinated photographs to support each finding. Field reports are tools for documenting observations and any needed action items from the given visit. For a residential project, they are an excellent way of documenting the progress, as well as identifying any issues encountered during the work that may need addressing either by the contractor, the owner, the architect, or the collective team. These documents are typically distributed to all three parties so that everyone is aware of all that is happening and what is next on the to-do list to keep things moving smoothly. They also provide an important frame of reference down the road should questions arise or confirmation be required regarding a particular element of the project’s progress.  

MH+D IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH ACCLAIMED ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHER TRENT BELL ON HIS ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, AND PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST. TO HEAR BELL’S CONVERSATION WITH SCIPIONE, PLEASE VISIT TRENTBELL.COM/PODCAST