Site and program
We begin with the property, household priorities, approximate budget and design ambitions. Understanding what can be built helps establish a realistic project direction.
CHARLOTTE, NC · RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Residential architecture, with the built result in mind.
Great residential architecture aligns the way a family lives with a site's opportunities and the realities of construction. VIAB develops custom-home design concepts, spatial plans, material strategies and coordinated documentation with a practical understanding of how ideas become buildings.
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AN INFORMED BEGINNING
Architecture begins before the floor plan is final.
A strong design process considers site restrictions, the daily program, proportion, orientation and the relationships between interior rooms and outdoor space. An attractive image is only a starting point: structure, code requirements, mechanical coordination and detail development determine whether that image can be realized.
Concept and design development
Plans, massing, natural light, circulation and material ideas are studied together. The goal is a coherent architectural concept rather than disconnected stylistic selections.
Documentation and coordination
As a project progresses, architectural decisions need structural, enclosure and building-system coordination. Scope and deliverables are tailored to the agreed design service.
THE VIAB PERSPECTIVE
Design-only or integrated design-build?
Some owners need independent architectural input before choosing a builder. Others prefer a connected process that brings design and construction decisions together. VIAB can discuss the appropriate scope and responsibilities for your project, including feasibility, design documentation and potential construction involvement.
Related experience and resources
Learn about modern custom homes, designing on an owned lot, and the differences between architect-led design and design-build delivery. See our completed Urban Retreat residence.
For the range of VIAB's project and service work, explore our services and the portfolio.
FREQUENT STARTING QUESTIONS
Questions to settle early
How developed should the brief be?
You do not need finished plans. A working list of priorities, examples of spaces you like, and an approximate budget are a useful starting point.
Will the design address the construction budget?
Budget awareness should inform design development from the beginning. Detailed pricing depends on scope, site and the participation of construction partners.
What happens after conceptual design?
The next steps typically involve design refinement, consultant coordination, documentation, permit review and construction planning, based on the agreed project scope.
LET'S TALK
Let's shape the right architectural direction.
Tell us about your property, your priorities and where you are in the process. We'll discuss a sensible next step.
CONTACT VIAB IN CHARLOTTE