Our Process
At Studio TBD, our process is more than just a roadmap—it’s a collaborative journey. We work closely with our clients, ensuring each step is carefully crafted to meet their unique needs. Whether it’s a non-profit with long-term funding cycles, a homeowner seeking precision, or a contractor looking for seamless execution, our approach adapts to every challenge.
Step 1: Pre-Design (PD) – Laying the Foundation
This phase of work often provides analysis of potential
environmental influences, community planning initiatives, building
program, transportation issues, legal and economic influences, site
analysis, volumetric and spatial considerations, circulation patterns,
budgeting and project scheduling, parking and traffic concerns, real
estate and marketing viability, as well as the building and zoning
code influences relative to potential design proposals
Step 2: Schematic Design (SD) – Concept Development
This phase of work follows the preparation and delivery of the PreDesign exercises. Here, we establish the relationship of building
parts to site elements, logics between all programmatic interests,
adjacency requirements and restrictions, spatial relationships,
satisfactory building and zoning code conformance, exiting
requirements and locations, vertical circulation, ratio of circulation
to programmed space, grading concerns, structural logic, plumbing
logic and mechanical logic
Step 3: Design Development (DD) – Refining the Details
This phase of work is intended to fix and define the size and
character of the Project as to architectural, structural, mechanical,
and electrical systems, materials and other such elements as may
be appropriate. We begin establishing specific construction types
and assemblies, preliminary structural loads and solutions,
mechanical routes and required chases, as well as preliminary and
anticipated finishes as they relate to the proposed budget
Step 4: Construction Documents (CD) – Blueprint for Execution
Step 5: Construction Administration (CA) – Bringing the Vision to Life
The designer’s responsibilities for the Project while under
construction can include advising the Owner with respect to
construction payment schedules, construction performance
evaluations, on-site reviews and evaluations of construction
progress, review of Shop Drawings / Product samples and Data,
the consideration of Contractor or Owner proposed changes as
well as any additional detail development beyond the Construction
Document Phase
