Through an established process that includes meetings, questionnaires, observations and interviews, we work with you to determine your needs, timeline and budget related to your project. We identify your current needs and plan for the needs 5, 10 and 20 years into the future. By separating needs from wants, and phasing the project to meet growth expectations, we develop a plan that is uniquely designed to work for you.
Many sites appear to meet the needs of the specific project. However, after purchase, it is found that setbacks, required buffers, soils conditions or other factors impact the usable area of the site. Our site evaluation process provides an inexpensive, professional review of the primary factors affecting a site which allows the client to make an informed decision regarding the land purchase. This includes physical observation of the site, a review of visibility, circulation, utilities available, location, zoning requirements, and a conceptual layout of the site based on project needs, soils studies, traffic studies, or other items that are indicated through our observations.
When a business is considering a new site, there is concern over how well the business will do in that location. Our market analysis service can help you understand the business climate within a few miles of the site, the competition and how well they are doing, location of retail draws (such as shopping centers or supermarkets), demographics (such as median incomes, educations levels, age breakdown of population, etc), traffic counts and other similar data. This is presented as an on-screen report with maps, charts and a flyover of the proposed site. A printed report is also provided.
As a full-service regional architectural firm, we provide a complete range of architectural services for new, remodel and tenant improvement projects. Sometimes we do only a part of the project or take on a limited scope project. Other times, our projects encompass developments with multiple buildings and site features.
Our computer modeling and graphic rendering software allows our clients to experience their building early in the design process. It also allows for feedback on layout, design concepts and alternative design solutions. This enables the owner to better understand their future building, the design team to be more efficient and the contractor to visualize the final product.
At the root of almost all architectural or interiors work is space planning. Space planning is the process in which we couple the needed work areas, tasks, and requirements with the existing or planned floor area. Our space planning includes reorganization of existing space, expansion of existing space, and the planning of new space. Starting with a needs analysis or statement of needs, we identify the necessary floor area required for each work station and the relationship of each need or area to the others. This information results in a Workstation Inventory, an accounting of all space needed to meet the requirements, and a Relationship Matrix. We then analyze the existing or proposed space and develop bubble diagrams to check relationships and sizes. Progress is monitored through preliminary concepts and schematic design to final layouts and floor plans.
Through development studies, zoning review, site planning, permitting requirements, project budgeting and project scheduling, we can help answer many of the questions that an owner or developer has prior to starting their project. Sometimes these also include site evaluation, market area analysis, site concept design and other services also included elsewhere on this list. Every client should understand the feasibility and financial reality prior to the outset of their project.
Driftmier Architects is a strong proponent of sustainable design and believes that sustainable design is good design. Members of our firm are LEED accredited professionals. When it comes to sustainable design, we believe in analyzing the total cost of ownership and the “Triple Bottom Line” which equally weighs the environmental impacts, social impacts and economic impacts when making sustainable design decisions. Our recent work has incorporated sustainable design techniques such as green roofs, pervious pavement, natural ventilation, radiant heat flooring, ground source heat pumps, use of sustainable materials and a wide variety of other techniques.
As zoning and building codes become increasingly detailed, a growing number of projects need special approvals. These may be special environmental or historic area approvals, zoning approvals such as a conditional use permit or variances, design review or other similar processes. Over the years, a number of established clients have asked us to join their team specifically because we have an excellent reputation in gaining special approvals. Often approval is gained through working with communities and neighborhoods through a public involvement process. Our positive working relationship with many of the local jurisdictions is advantageous to our clients.
Through a process that balances project quality, time constraints, budget and various levels of cost analysis, we can help you set appropriate budgets and goals for a project. When the budget is an absolute, the timeline and scope can be adjusted. Cost estimates during design identify expensive components and help value engineer the project within the established budget.
We work with clients to ensure their interior environments reflect their brand, overall company image or family lifestyle. Our portfolio includes a broad spectrum of interior projects including overall interior design of offices, residences, lobby design, tenant space planning, retail spaces, systems furniture layout, creation of a color palette, and furniture and artwork selection. We have the expertise that helps clients capture their vision and support their mission through expressive and functional interior design solutions.
Master Planning looks at what your final finished project will be when all phases and expansions are complete. We work with you to identify your needs over the life of the facility and then design for the complete project. Phasing and areas of future expansion are identified. This process includes a needs assessment analyzing what the organization will need in 5, 10, 20, or even 40 years. It also includes site evaluation services, land acquisition, and developing a Strategic Capital Facilities Plan that addresses the financial needs to support the development of the needed facilities.
While many services provided by Driftmier Architects have been identified on this page, there are even more that are not identified. We have worked with numerous clients in branding, prototype development, signage design, project phasing, strategic facilities planning, move or relocation planning, and many other services. If you haven’t seen a service listed here that you might be interested in, please ask.