You dream it, we make it a reality. We are your guide for creating homes with exceptional design and quality craftsmanship. Here is a step-by-step look at the entire design process.

Whether your project is a custom house, remote cabin, kitchen remodel, or primary suite addition, the overall process is the same. I encourage my clients to think about how to builder better, not necessarily bigger, and to explore how design can help get more use out of every square foot.

Where to Start?

You want to build or remodel your house. You have found the perfect lot* or already own a home that needs some work. Now, find out if you are ready.

*If you are still looking for a lot, check out our section below on site analysis.

Answer these questions:

Needs:
What do you want to do?
Why do you want to build?
How motivated are you to finish?

Budget:
How much do you want to spend?
Do you need help with figuring out a budget?

Schedule:
When would you want to move in?
Do you need the house for a specific event?
When are you ready for construction to begin?

We can help you get started with a Pre-Design Consultation.

Who will help?

Building something new requires motivation and means. You may start by gathering information, and then realize you need professional advice.

An architect can guide you through the entire process, helping you assemble the right team of specialists for your project. For residential projects, the most common consultant is a structural engineer. New construction often requires a civil engineer, and rural locations may need a septic designer. There can be up to 20 different consultants involved in a design project, and your architect can help identify which ones are necessary. An increasingly common consultant during the design phase is the builder, who provides pre-construction services such as detailed cost estimates.

The core project team includes the owner, an architect, and a builder. The architect leads the design and coordinates all design consultants on the team. The general contractor (builder) is responsible for constructing the project and works with subcontractors to complete various parts of the construction. It is common for the owner to have separate contracts with the builder and the architect. During construction, the architect acts as the owner's advocate.

We can help you interview builders.

Site Analysis

Before building a house, the site needs to be analyzed, which involves both code research — determining the theoretical limits on what and where you can build — and assessing site-specific constraints such as critical areas, orientation, views, and topography.

In Kitsap county, the Kitsap Parcel Search is a great place to start.

We can help you with a feasibility study for a lot.

Design Process

The first step of a design is not the sketch. Although a sketch may be one of the first tangible outcomes of the design process, there are many components involved in designing a house. The initial step in the design process is determining your goals and requirements.

Design projects follow a common trajectory: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. Projects have thousands of decisions that must be made. An architect organizes this information and guides you through the process so that decisions are made efficiently.

After setting project goals, gathering data and ideas, sketching concepts, and establishing the look and feel, you are ready to draw schematic floor plans.

While it may seem counterintuitive, determining the basic floor plan and appearance of a house is only the halfway point in the design process. The building concept needs to be developed further to create detailed instructions for the builder. Specific materials and products must be compared, studied, and selected, and the building's structure and systems need to be integrated.

All of these details begin to crystallize the project. Refined cost estimates, schedule projections, and renderings give owners opportunities to evaluate if the design is heading in a desirable direction. Be aware that requesting design changes can be at odds with limited design fees or schedules. A change to the design late in the game may unravel past decisions. Once working drawings and construction begins, the cost to make changes increases.

Options

The design process is iterative. Collaborative sessions between the owner and the architect are an integral part of design development. In the early stages, options are broad, encompassing aspects like building massing, orientation, and program. As the process progresses, the study options become more refined, focusing on finishes, fixtures, and details.

Rendering

Typical deliverables from an architect include floor plans, elevations (exterior views), and sections (cutaway views) that describe the building. While these technical drawings provide all the information a builder needs to construct a project, a perspective sketch or photorealistic rendering can be very helpful for evaluating a design.

Technical Drawings

A comprehensive construction contract document set includes both drawings and written specifications. These documents convey your design and quality expectations to the builder and demonstrate code compliance to the local jurisdiction during the permitting process.

Permit Process

Before you can build, you need one or more permits. Your local jurisdiction approves these building permits, and which jurisdiction governs depends on your location.

In Kitsap County, there are 5 local jurisdictions:

  • Kitsap County: Covers unincorporated areas within the county.

  • City of Bremerton: For projects within city limits.

  • City of Bainbridge Island: For projects within city limits.

  • City of Poulsbo: For projects within city limits.

  • City of Port Orchard: For projects within city limits.

In Pierce County, there are 17 local jurisdictions:

  • Pierce County: Covers unincorporated areas within the county.

  • City of Tacoma

  • City of Puyallup

  • City of Lakewood

  • City of University Place

  • City of Bonney Lake

  • City of Sumner

  • City of Fife

  • City of Gig Harbor

  • City of Milton

  • City of Orting

  • City of DuPont

  • City of Edgewood

  • City of Fircrest

  • City of Roy

  • Town of Steilacoom

  • City of Buckley

In Clallam County, there are 4 local jurisdictions:

  • Clallam County: Covers unincorporated areas within the county.

  • City of Port Angeles

  • City of Sequim

  • City of Forks

In Jefferson County, there are only 2 local jurisdictions:

  • Jefferson County: Covers unincorporated areas within the county.

  • City of Port Townsend: For projects within city limits.

In Mason County, there are only 2 local jurisdictions:

  • Mason County: Covers unincorporated areas within the county.

  • City of Shelton: For projects within city limits.

Codes that Apply

All projects must meet building codes, but what exactly are they? There are several.

The local jurisdiction defines the municipal codes that must be met; for example the Kitsap County Code applies to unincorporated Kitsap County while the Bremerton Municipal Code applies to projects with in Bremerton City limits.

In addition to municipal codes, residential projects the most common codes used are the International Residential Code (IRC) and Energy Code. Sometimes, other codes are also applicable.

Here is a full list of common codes:

  • International Building Code (IBC)

  • International Residential Code (IRC)

  • International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

  • International Fire Code (IFC)

  • International Mechanical CodeE (IMC)

  • Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

  • International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

  • WA State Barrier Free Code (IBC CHAPTER 11 AND A117.1-2017)

  • WA State Energy Code (WSEC)

Some projects require approval from the Health Department; for example a Tenant Improvement like a coffee shop would need to comply with the Kitsap Health Department.

If a bald eagle’s nest is found on your property, then you would need to get a federal U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Eagle Take Permit.

Best Practices

We love designing buildings that are both beautiful and durable, exceeding code requirements, which only establish the minimum standards for construction. Unlike builders focused on providing the lowest initial cost, we specialize in creating thoughtfully designed homes that prioritize maintenance, longevity, and quality.

Ready to talk?

Call 206-276-2346 or email sini@studiokamppari.com. We would love to hear from you.