Design Process

Kikuchi & Associates is a process oriented firm. Our belief is that the best designs are derived from a process which involves the client / user / developer, builder and designer. It is through this process of exploration, which involves communication by listening and responding, that feasible alternatives and designs are discovered and developed. We believe that this process should be an exciting, stimulating and rewarding experience.

While there is not a standard process for all projects, the following represents a typical step by step chronology:

Design Phase

• Client Meeting - to determine project scope, issues, concerns and feasibility
• Code Search - investigate and determine governing agency ordinances, codes and review processes required
• Conceptual Design - develop concept alternatives and meet to review
• Design Refinement - Refine the design concept, develop construction cost estimates and meet to review

Agency Processing

• Determine the Need for Agency Review - ie. design review, planning commission, council, neighborhood organizations, youth sports organizations, special district reviews, environmental agencies
• Submittal Preparation - compose data, drawings, samples, applications, notifications as determined by submittal or permit requirements
• Project Presentation - if required, present design concepts to governing body

Construction Documents Phase

• Design Refinement - refine the details of design - including budgetary issues, time schedules
• Construction Drawings - detailed drawings necessary for obtaining competitive bidding, dictating the quality of construction and acquisition of building permits. Plans could include a Construction Layout Plan, Grading and Drainage Plan, Irrigation Plan, Planting Plan, Lighting Plan, Detail Enlargements, and Specifications
• Coordination - coordination of sub-consultants if necessary, ie. geotechnical, structural, civil engineers, arborist, environmental consultant

Bidding Assistance and Contract Negotiations Phase

• Bid Distribution - obtain competitive bid prices from contractors
• Bid Collection and Evaluation - collect and evaluate bid results
• Contract Negotiations - assist in the cost negotiations with a contractor
• Contract / Agreement Development - assist in the drafting of a contractor - client construction agreement

Construction Administration Phase

• Observations - review project under construction for conformance to plans as a third party on behalf of the client
• Submittals Reviews - review and determine acceptability of products and materials to be utilized on the project
• Coordination - process modifications to the project, increases in the scope of work and review payment requests

Post Construction Phase

• Evaluate on-going maintenance
• Review client satisfaction with final design