David Heide Design Studio

From our initial meeting with you through the final phases of construction, we are dedicated to bringing you the highest quality in architectural and interior design.

Our involvement in each project varies according to the expectations and needs of the individual owner. At your request, the following process can be modified to meet your specific needs.

Italicized portions of this text are excerpts from an interview regarding his experience working with our firm. The project can be viewed in the portfolio section of this site under the name Lowry Hill Colonial.

Click on detail images below for the full photo or drawing.

An initial meeting is held to discuss the overall scope of work. Afterward, we send a proposal summarizing the project which details terms, schedules, and fees.

Our staff met with David and Evelyn to talk about their needs and wishes. “We wanted places for retreat, and plenty of sunlight,” David recalls. “But they also asked us what we valued in the existing house. It was clear that we agreed that the historic character of the house should be preserved.” After the meeting, our firm followed up with a letter summarizing terms, schedules and fees. We also measured and made drawings of the existing residence.

Documentation of existing architecture relevant to the project is performed, and drawings are created to serve as a starting point. Discussion at our second meeting revolves around function and spatial arrangements as they relate to your specific concerns. Based on this programming meeting, we draw up several schemes highlighting options for design and budget for your project. Selection of a contractor is discussed at this time. In order to assure the most cohesive end result possible, discussion about interior design also begins during the schematic design phase.

Based on our discussion with David and Evelyn, our firm created three schemes for potential expansion. The options ranged from expansive to conservative in both scope and budget. Ultimately, the clients settled on a half-round addition that would require the reconfiguration of several spaces in the house. Aesthetically, we designed the outside of the addition to match the existing exterior. Inside, we suggested an interior design that would be respectful of the home’s historic nature yet would facilitate contemporary living.

Upon your approval of a design direction, our Studio takes a detailed look at materials and methods for construction. Finishes, fixtures, hardware, and lighting are discussed with you and incorporated into the increasingly detailed drawings. Options for materials are often reviewed with the contractor to determine their availability and impact on your construction budget.

The project grew as the Moores took advantage of possibilities for maximizing their investment. As we moved into design development, David and Evelyn asked us to address problems with the kitchen and a third-floor bedroom. A new bathroom was added with a linen closet, twin pedestal lavatories, a clawfoot tub, and a separate shower. But the most visible design change was a half-round addition dominated by windows. Extending into the backyard, the addition bridges both indoor and outdoor spaces. “We swear that the yard still seems as large as it did before the addition was built,” David Moore says.

During this phase, all pertinent construction-related information for the project is put together into a comprehensive package. Drawings and specifications communicate the design intent to the contractor. They also form the basis for the contract between you and the contractor for construction of your project.

We serve as your advocate during the construction process. We will work with either a pre-selected contractor of your choosing, or, if you desire, we will assist with contractor selection through a bidding process. Periodic, on-site inspections will be conducted during construction based on a pre-determined schedule or upon your request.

The project proceeded smoothly through the final phases of construction documents and actual construction. The result is a residence that serves its users’ varying needs. “I haven’t necessarily worked with a lot of architects,” David says, “but I have nothing but superlatives to describe my experience with the Studio. They have such a drive for high standards in every regard.”

During this phase, finishes are applied and furnishings complimentary to the overall design are installed. These will have been considered throughout the overall design process and may include antiques, architectural salvage, and custom designed pieces. Designs are fine-tuned in response to your reactions and preferences.