Architectural Design Review
A technical second reading of an existing preliminary design, drawing set, or proposal before continuing to invest, requesting construction pricing, or moving into construction.
What is it?
It is a technical review of an existing design to identify risks related to function, cost, climate, orientation, constructability, and maintenance. I evaluate whether the preliminary design has a clear foundation or if it needs adjustments before moving forward.
What is it for?
It helps validate or correct design decisions before they become costly. This service helps identify issues that may affect the budget, permits, construction, daily use, future maintenance, or the clarity needed to request comparable construction quotations.
Who is it for?
This service is for property owners and investors who already have a preliminary design, drawings, renderings, or a design proposal, but need an independent second opinion before continuing to pay, requesting construction pricing, applying for permits, or building.
When should you request it?
- Already have a preliminary design or drawings.
- Have renderings, but still have technical doubts.
- Are not sure whether the design fits your budget.
- Want to review climate response, orientation, or ventilation.
- Feel the project may be complex to build.
- Are about to request pricing from contractors.
- Are about to move into construction drawings.
- Are about to keep investing in design.
- Want an independent second opinion.
Service Details
What is included
- Functional review of the preliminary design.
- Review of climate, orientation, and use.
- Constructability observations.
- Cost and maintenance risk review.
- Identification of pending decisions.
- Priority adjustment recommendations.
- Review session to explain the findings.
What is not included
- Full architectural design.
- Complete redesign of the project.
- Construction drawings or engineering design.
- Permit processing.
- Detailed construction budget.
- Responsibility for drawings prepared by third parties.
- Construction supervision or project direction.
Duration
1 to 3 weeks
Deliverables
Observation report, design risk matrix, and prioritized recommendations before moving forward.
Estimated Investment
Starting at $1.000 USD
Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ
What is the difference between Architectural Design Review and Architectural Design? Architectural Design?
Architectural Design Review analyzes an existing proposal. It is useful when you already have a preliminary design, drawings, renderings, or an idea developed by another professional and want to know whether something should be adjusted before moving forward.
Architectural Design is different. It applies when you do not yet have a clear proposal or when, after organizing the project route, we define that it makes sense to start design with me as a separate phase.
What is the difference between Architectural Design Review and a Project Risk Assessment?
The Project Risk Assessment reviews the overall status of the project: stage, available information, budget, permits, hiring, risks, and critical decisions.
Architectural Design Review focuses specifically on the existing preliminary design, drawings, or architectural proposal: function, climate, orientation, constructability, cost, maintenance, and clarity before requesting pricing or building.
Does this review replace my architect?
No. This review does not replace your architect or seek to create conflict with the design team. It works as a second reading from the owner’s side, focused on risks, clarity, cost, constructability, climate, maintenance, and pending decisions.
What happens if the design is solid?
Then the review gives you more confidence before moving forward. It can also help document what is clear, what should be preserved, and what should be clarified before requesting construction pricing or moving into construction drawings.
What happens if you find important problems?
I show you which points are critical and what should be corrected first. The recommendation may be to adjust details, rethink parts of the design, review the target budget, or pause before continuing to invest in a proposal that is not ready yet.
Can I use this review before requesting construction quotations?
Yes. It is one of the best moments to do it. If you request quotations with a weak or incomplete design, you may receive budgets that are difficult to compare or prices that later change because of missing definitions.
Can this become architectural design with you?
Yes, but only if it makes sense and it is quoted as a separate phase. First, I review the existing design. If the best decision is to redesign, correct, or start a new proposal, I prepare a specific scope with clear deliverables and costs.
Before continuing design or requesting pricing, let’s review the foundation
A design can look good and still have risks related to cost, climate, construction, or maintenance. Before continuing to pay, requesting construction pricing, or moving into construction, let’s review whether the preliminary design has a clear foundation.