The architectural design process is a lengthy but integral part of turning design ideas into buildings. It’s a structured approach that guides construction projects from concept to completion, balancing practical needs with visually appealing design.
Without a clear process in place, projects often face costly setbacks—52% of rework in construction is caused by poor project data and miscommunication, leading to unnecessary delays and expenses.
Large-scale projects, in particular, are prone to inefficiencies. On average, they take 20% longer to finish than originally planned and can exceed budgets by as much as 80%, according to industry research. These challenges make understanding the architectural design process all the more important.
Want to set your team up for success throughout the architectural design process? We’ve outlined the five essential steps to keep your project on track and avoid costly missteps.
Before we discuss the stages of architectural design, we need to understand the meaning of architectural design.
Architectural design is defined as the art of planning structures with aesthetics and function in mind. It’s a very creative process involving an architectural designer—who is involved in each step of the design process—and uses their knowledge of design principles, building codes, and materials to create drawings and specifications.
The architectural design process is how a construction process is developed and executed in distinct stages.
The process is usually divided into 5 stages, beginning with pre-design and ending with the construction administration stage. These stages help architects understand client needs, develop preliminary plans, finalize designs, and conduct site visits.
Construction projects are complex, lengthy, costly, and heavily regulated—leaving little room for error. Once a project is in development, general contractors don’t want to revise plans and after a project is complete, there is no way of making edits without having to demolish the build and start over.
That’s why knowing the stages of architectural design and the design process is essential to keeping your team and project on track. These stages help project information be efficient and streamlined to reduce risk and costly delays.
Utilizing construction management software is another way to minimize miscommunication and errors. Punchlist is a feedback tool used in construction and architecture to prevent design inaccuracies, costly errors, and project delays by closing communication gaps throughout the design and building process.
Our key features include:
The Markup tool lets you leave feedback using freehand drawings and shapes.
Get started for free, and begin streamlining your workflow during the architectural design process.
Construction project management is particularly challenging due to the complex coordination required to align all involved parties. Consider the various roles: architects create the designs, contractors bring those blueprints to life, and engineers ensure structural integrity across multiple systems. Beyond that, there are on-site teams, suppliers, vendors, and more, all contributing to the project’s success.
The solution? A structured architectural design process. This process consists of five key phases: pre-design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration. Here’s how each phase establishes clear project deliverables and deadlines, building an efficient and realistic workflow throughout the architectural design process.
Starting with the pre-design phase, also referred to as the “programming” phase, we can kick off the architectural design process. The architect and client work closely together to define needs, goals, and site conditions where the project will take place. It is also important to note whether there are other structures on the same plot of land. At the end of this phase, architects will create a project brief that serves as a roadmap for the design process.
Some key aspects of this phase include:
Now is the time to begin taking conceptual ideas and drafting them into a design proposal.
In this phase, architects will create site plans, floor plans, and building elevations while also adding in necessary elements such as structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Feedback is incredibly important during this stage of the architectural design process to reduce disagreements and errors. The goal of this phase is to establish the look and functionality of the building, while constantly checking in with the client for feedback.
Some key aspects of this phase include:
During this phase, the client should be happy with the design of the structure and more detailed plans can be created.
Details like the placement of windows, doors, and any other adjustments to the building will be discussed and designed. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers (MEP) and consultants will also join in during this phase along with the architect.
There tends to be some back and forth with the client at this stage due to costs, leading to both sides having to compromise. However, most details are finalized by the end of this phase, including the building’s layout, exterior, and dimensions.
Some key aspects of this phase include:
The construction documents phase usually takes the most time out of them all. The architect’s designs will now move into working construction drawings that serve as the official blueprint for the project. Architects need to make sure that their designs are well-planned and approved to be executed.
Client communication may slow down during this phase, which is completely normal. Rest assured that behind the scenes, the architect is hard at work developing specifications and essential drawings that the contractor will use to build your project.
Some key aspects of this phase include:
In the final phase of the architectural design process, the architect continues to play a crucial role by frequently visiting the job site to answer any questions and deal with issues that may arise.
Having easy access to the architect ensures there are fewer errors and costly delays during your construction project. However, the construction crew is now in charge of the development of this project from now on until it is completed.
Some key aspects of this phase include:
The architectural design process is complex, lengthy, and heavily involved. As the process continues, feedback becomes more and more essential to your team’s workflow and miscommunication needs to be eliminated. To ensure proper feedback is given and communication works effectively, you need Punchlist as your construction management software of choice.
Once your project has taken flight, Punchlist makes it easy for architects to go from design to build with speed, clarity, and accuracy.
