Master Planning
How do I know how much to build, & will it accommodate my needs in the future?
CSA can help to identify the best solutions through in-depth site analysis & feasibility studies. During this process, CSA will guide you through a large-scale exploration of your ideas & the existing environment to help define the physical & financial aspects of your project.
At the conclusion, clients will be able to identify a clear path toward their long-term goals for their facility, & identify the necessary steps to take toward achieving them.
“The WCA High School project was the single best project in my 30+ years of design and construction for commercial and government clients.”
– Keith Johnson, Westminster Presbyterian Church
How Do We Serve Our Clients?
CSA’s objective is to help you find ways to turn your ideas into built reality. This typically includes full service architectural and interior design with a compliment of engineering disciplines. We provide land planning, master planning, programming and pre-design services as well as graphic design. If a particular project needs additional expertise, we can assemble a team to meet any project requirement.
No project or vision is too big or too small. We are dedicated to listening to our clients' wants & needs, developing a thorough understanding of your project’s requirements through diligent research, & designing solutions based on experience, teamwork, & innovation.
Programming
How much space do I need?
How should my space be arranged?
How much will this cost?
With CSA’s many years of experience, & collaborative team approach, we help our clients navigate through these decisions with confidence. Our architectural & interior design team will thoroughly examine your proposed functions & desires, & recommend ways to incorporate them into your project.
CSA can also help you determine an estimated budget for your project, based on data we’ve gathered from years of experience on projects of similar types & scopes. Our thorough programming process will help you utilize your resources & plan your space more efficiently.
Architectural Design
What will my solution look like?
Schematic Design starts with focused conversations about the objectives & limitations of the built solution. By incorporating the determined program & primary goals, CSA can synthesize the fundamental components & spaces into a comprehensive design.
This phase typically determines the general layout & form that the design will take. During this phase, we typically use a combination of hand sketching & 3D modeling to give clients a realistic preview of how their vision is taking shape.
How are we going to make this idea work?
During Design Development, CSA has already determined a clear target, & will dive into extensive exploration of mechanisms by which the design is can be realized. Typically in this phase, thorough building code & regulatory requirement reviews are conducted, along with coordination between all of the necessary technical consultants, such as electrical, mechanical, & structural engineers.
When this phase is complete, CSA can provide clients with a more detailed picture of not only what the building will look like, but how it will function. It’s during this phase where important questions such as “What type of glass should we use?”, “How is water kept out of the building?”, & “Can the structure support a future second floor?” are answered.
How are all of these decisions communicated?
Now the time has come to put what we have learned about your needs & vision into a set of Construction Documents. These documents will include a detailed set of specifications that will enable a general contractor to build your facility.
This phase of work is the most labor intensive, & this time allows CSA to perform a series of quality control checks to ensure our drawings are complete & easy to understand. During this phase the final cost estimate is determined, to ensure that the project will remain within your budget.
Interior Design
What will the interior of my space be like?
CSA offers full service interior design, integrated throughout the entire architectural process. Our collaborative approach ensures that the interior of your space is seamlessly incorporated with your building’s exterior. CSA’s experienced interior design team will learn about your wants & needs on a detailed level, making sure that the interior of your space accurately reflects your company’s identity, & meets your needs for function, cost, & aesthetics.
Space planning & finish packages are just the beginning - we can also assist with furniture specifications, artwork selection, wayfinding, environmental graphics, window treatments, & more. Additionally, CSA’s interior design department can provide standalone interior design services for clients who choose to work with other firms, or clients who don’t need full architectural services.
Construction Administration
Who makes sure I am getting what we agreed to?
When the Construction Administration process starts, you will have a separate contract with the general contractor. This ensures that CSA will remain working only for you, & will act as your advocate. As design professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure that the vision you have worked with us to create, is implemented properly & to your satisfaction. CSA will work with your contractor during this time through a series of checks & balances known as “submittal review”. This review system allows us to make sure that all materials & products that the contractor will be using to build your building comply with the intent of the drawings & specifications. Additionally, we will visit your construction site regularly, monitor the work in-progress, & verify that the amount of work that is done corresponds to how much you’re being charged. Through our site visits, we are also able to answer questions as they occur & assist with coordination, preventing potential issues that can occur in the field.
“We are impressed with how well the new construction fits with the previous structure, both inside and out.”
– Messiah Lutheran Church