Architectural Design Review
Architectural design review in Costa Rica: a second opinion on existing drawings or a preliminary design before pricing or construction.
What is it?
An architectural design review provides a second opinion on existing concepts and drawings. I review function, cost, climate, orientation, buildability and maintenance, then identify priority adjustments before you continue investing in the design.
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?
Owners and investors with preliminary designs, drawings, renderings or a proposal who need an independent second opinion before paying for more design work, requesting estimates, applying for permits or starting construction.
When should you request it?
- You already have design drawings.
- You have renders but technical doubts.
- You are unsure the design fits your budget.
- You need a review of climate, orientation or airflow.
- 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.
- When you need an independent second design 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
A design review report, a register of design risks and prioritized recommendations before moving into the next project stage.
Estimated Investment
Starting at $1.000 USD
Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ
What is the difference between Architectural Design Review and Architectural Design? Architectural Design?
A design review evaluates an existing proposal. It applies when you have concepts, drawings, renderings or a design developed by another professional and need to understand what should be clarified or adjusted before proceeding.
Architectural design is different: it applies when you do not yet have a defined proposal, or when project planning identifies the need to start a separate design phase with me.
What is the difference between Architectural Design Review and a Project Risk Assessment?
The risk assessment considers the overall project: its stage, available information, budget, permits, contracting, risks and critical decisions.
The design review focuses on your existing architectural proposal: function, climate, orientation, buildability, cost, maintenance and whether the information is clear enough to support pricing or the next design stage.
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.