Modern Residential Architects Florida
Our Architectural Design Services
Our partners, Stephanie Halfen and Cristina Magdaleno, are among the most in-demand architects in Florida’s thriving architecture and design community. Their inspiring and stylishly curated spaces share a modern aesthetic which celebrates natural materials and a harmonized color palette, and result in homes that are soulful and warm while remaining visually balanced and calming.
Stephanie and Cristina are supported by a richly talented team of residential architects and designers who passionately embrace our collaborative design process, and are guided by a dedication to our clients, community and the environment.
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More About Our Florida Architecture Firm
Our creative teams are known for our modern design style, boutique-level service, and attention to detail. We have some of the best architects and designers in Florida on staff, who create uniquely luxurious homes inspired by indoor-outdoor living in our incredible tropical environment. Co-creating distinctive, stylish, and cohesive looks is at the beating heart of our firm, where our experience ranges from 5,000 to 12,000 square feet homes and beyond.
As one of the best and most respected architectural design practices in Florida, SDH Studio brings extensive experience to luxury residential projects and the creative challenges they pose. For each new project, we assemble a multi-disciplinary team of architects and design specialists who are best-qualified to engage with clients and collaborate with them to help them realize their dreams.
What truly distinguishes our projects is the profound sense of co-creation embedded in our process. We cherish collaborating closely with our clients to conjure the magic that transforms their dreams into reality.
Our Approach
1 PRE-DESIGN & PROGRAMMING
1. Pre-Design & Programming
Key activities: (1) initial client meetings and review of client requirements, (2) analysis of existing site conditions, (3) reference images and (4) determine project sequencing.
Pre-design is an information gathering phase where the main goal is to learn about your personality, lifestyle and requirements, as well as the aesthetic goals you’re seeking to achieve. We also determine how much space you will need, and how that space should be used, organized and arranged. This information is collated into a document called the Program. We also observe and document the existing conditions at the project site. This usually entails a survey of the land, how the site relates to the surrounding area, climate, people and the regulations that affect the project.
This is a highly collaborative process which enables us to better understand your values and needs, and results in a design that reflects your individuality with optimal functionality.
2 SCHEMATIC DESIGN
2. Schematic Design
Key activities: (1) preliminary site plans, (2) preliminary floor plans, (3) conceptual narratives, and (4) exterior concepts.
The schematic design phase is focused on translating the information gathered in the pre-design and programming phase into an efficient building design. This is when we start exploring design concepts, testing options and getting a general idea of the look and feel of your new home. The floor plans and shape of the project will begin to take form, but the specifics about materials and details will come later. This phase includes several meetings where we present ideas to you using images and sketches to help visualize the size, shape and relationship of spaces to one another. We listen to your reactions and then refine the ideas according to your feedback. We collaborate closely with you throughout this phase, and request your approval of the schematic design before work proceeds.
3 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
3. Design Development
Key activities: (1) full set of drawings for client presentation and approval, and (2) outline specification document
The design development phase starts with a concentration on advancing the design based on the floor plan and exterior concept approved in the previous phase. The priority is to develop all the important aspects of the project and start the process of producing a full set of drawings and an outline specification document. Now the design process is well underway, we start talking about interior and exterior materials and functionality. By the end of the Design Development phase, the building exterior is fully designed, the interior layout completed, dimensions of all spaces finalized, and most materials selected. The deliverable is a 3D model that communicates the overall layout and volume of the home, all significant equipment, and the type of material or finish for every surface of the project.
4 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
4. Construction Documents
Key activities: (1) complete set of drawings and specifications for construction
In this phase we develop the design drawings into a thorough and precise set of Construction Documents. These drawings and specifications have all the details, dimensions and notes necessary to communicate the entire design intent to the Contractor. We show how the building components should be connected, specify all the materials, finishes, fixtures, equipment and appliances to be installed, and coordinate our drawings with structural, civil and mechanical electrical plumbing engineers and any other consultant's drawings.
5 PERMITTING & COORDINATION
5. Permitting & Contractor Coordination
Key activities: (1) submission of Construction Documents and Forms to the relevant permitting authority, (2) contractor coordination meetings.
We submit Construction Documents along with the various forms required for the permit application process to the local plans reviewer. This information is needed to show the project complies with the applicable land use, building and energy codes, as well as any other applicable guidelines and regulations required by the city or jurisdiction issuing the permit. We monitor the application during the review period, and give additional information or clarifications to the reviewer as requested. The length and cost of this phase varies greatly depending on the jurisdiction, complexity of the project, and any special historic district or community design review processes.
6 CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT
6. Construction Oversight
Key activities: (1) shopping for accessories, (2) moving and receiving furniture, (3) contractor coordination meetings, and (4) staging.
With the design finalized and permit approved, the building process can begin. During this phase we maintain a consistent presence on the job site to answer questions from the builder and proactively address potential issues. The frequency of our site visits could be weekly or monthly, but it is vital that the architect keeps an eye on things to ensure the finished project meets your expectations and the contractor follows the plans precisely. During the Construction Oversight phase, our role is advisor to the owner.
At the end of the project, we help you develop your final Punch List to ensure all work is completed to your satisfaction.
Our Modern Residential Design Gallery
How Our Projects Typically Work
1 Everything Starts with an Initial Consultation
We think it’s important to have an initial consultation so we can assess your needs and discuss your project with you in detail. You’ve likely chosen to design and build a custom home because you value the freedom to make your own decisions on design, layout, and finishes. But all the customization required to make a home that is truly your own takes a lot of time and hard work. Only by understanding your vision can we customize a proposal just for you and your project. So before the design process can begin, all the key program, schedule, cost, and contractual considerations have to be addressed, agreed and approved before we move forward.
2 We Schedule a Time to Get Started
The first thing we do is send you a questionnaire and schedule a time for a kick-off meeting - usually around 2-3 weeks after a contract has been signed - to review your response to the questionnaire and understand your goals for the project in depth. This is when you tell us what you have in mind for your project, sharing any existing plans you may have with us along with a selection of inspiring images you’d like to guide the design process. Where appropriate, we’ll arrange a visit to the lot, where we assess the site conditions and take photographs as well as confirm any other details that you want to share with us.
3 We Create a Preliminary Floor Plan
Deciding on the floor plan for your home is the first critical step in our design process. All the information related to your project is assembled back at our office and we start the design process by drawing up a preliminary floor plan which shows how your new home could be laid out. We present our recommendation to you and discuss your thoughts and feedback in detail before making adjustments to the presented floor plan.
4 We Start Designing the Exterior
When the preliminary floor plan has been decided and approved, we start designing the exterior of your home by creating a model in SketchUp, a software program which enables us to create and manipulate 3D models of buildings, landscapes, furniture, and any other objects. During this phase, we also make rough updates to the floor plan if changes are required to accommodate the the exterior design. For example, an extended balcony may necessitate a modification to the floor plan in the space(s) below the balcony.
5 Our Design Development Presentations to You
We’ll arrange a presentation for you halfway through the design development phase to show you renderings of the exterior of your new home, and any updates to the floor plan that have been made. As we move into the second half of the design development phase, our team move the 3D model out of SketchUp and into Revit, an advanced building information modelling (BIM) software used by architects and engineers to capture all the relationships between components, views, and annotations so that even the smallest change to an element automatically propagates across the model and keeps it consistent.
The design process continues until the final design development set (i.e. an approved model and approved plans) is complete, the foundations for the production of Construction Documents are set.
6 Creating the Construction Document Set
When the design development phase is complete, our team starts creating the Construction Document set. This is when we engage with structural engineers, civil engineers, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineers, on the development of the BIM model. Our team undertake an internal coordination process where BIM models (plans) received from the various engineering disciplines are bought together and any conflicts that occur between them are resolved.
7 What Happens Next?
When the Construction Documents have been approved, the full set are sent to you (the owner) so you may begin the bidding process. This is when you invite local General Contractors/Builders to submit a bid for your residential construction project. Another full set of documents are sent to the local permitting authority (usually the Building Department of the local municipality) alongside any applicable fees for permits, licenses and inspections necessary for the proper execution and completion of the project. Your Construction Documents are passed to a reviewer at the city who can ask for clarifications about a specific feature of the design from the architect or, in some cases, request that revisions are made to the plans to bring them into full compliance with the city's building code.
8 Overseeing the Construction Process
Once the owner has selected a General Contractor/Builder, and received a Master Permit from the local permitting authority, the construction process can begin. Our team visit the site at a pre-agreed frequency to observe the construction work being undertaken, and checking that the design intent is being maintained by the General Contractor. They may also ask us any questions they have about the plans, or discuss any issues that may arise as construction progresses.
When the construction process is complete, we undertake a final walk-through of your new home, generate a 'punch list' of items that need to be addressed before the project is closed.
9 Moving In
This is the best part of the process! When the General Contractor has completed all the items on the 'punch list' and the permitting authority has inspected the home and issued a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), you're ready to move in!
10 It's Time to Showcase your New Home
If you’re comfortable, we’ll schedule a date and time for a professional photographer to come over for a photoshoot so we can all celebrate our achievement together!
If you're interested in talking to us about a custom design for your next home, just click here to schedule a meeting with a member of our team.
Our Modern Residential Architects
