Our Process

Introduction

Morehouse MacDonald and Associates is one collaborative design studio, working across both architecture, interior design, and estate master site planning. All projects are setup with a Principal-in-Charge who provides a project stewardship, setting design direction and remaining continuously involved at the highest level from inception through final move in.

Supporting the Principal-in-Charge, a project team is assembled and led by a ‘project lead’ who functions as both the primary project manager but also and often the key designer on the project. This role applies to both architecture and interiors. Leading, managing and co-ordinating the work of all team members and consultants—plus managing all project data—is also central to this person’s key role.

At MMA the same core team that begins your project will remain with the project from inception through construction—ensuring continuity and design intent are fully materialized to success.

The MMA Design Process

At MMA each project is approached similarly but in an adaptive and flexible manner, responding to the particular needs of each client, client brief, site, and set of conditions for the project’s success and deliverables. Our design work only begins when we fully understand the client’s goals. Our design process breaks down, fundamentally, into three major phases:

Schematic Design. We begin this phase only after generally producing a client program (brief)—a short written document that summarizes the core requirements for each space within a home or building. We also begin design only after visiting and fully documenting the site, including completing a full zoning code analysis and reviewing any ARB (architecture review board) requirements, if applicable. We develop our design concepts in both computerized and hand drawings during this phase, producing floor plans, elevations and 3D views of the design.

Design Development. This phase often begins with the goal of producing a preliminary pricing package in order to ensure the design is conforming to project budgets. We adapt the design as needed to respond to cost estimates and gain further client approvals prior to proceeding. It is often during this phase that we begin discussions about general contractor selection. It is also during this time that we work with clients to select real materials, their finishes, colors, lighting and AV (audio-visual) systems—working in conjunction with an interior design professional as well as a landscape architect and an AV consultant.

Construction Documents. With most major design decisions behind us, we embark on construction drawings and specifications in order to document the requirements of the entire project and to communicate design intent for the purposes of construction by the general contractor and his subs.

While MMA will often initiate a competitive bid process, on behalf of the owner, for the construction contract for the project, our office has learned that selecting a general contractor earlier during the Design Development stage produces unique benefits to the owner. As a firm, we are versed in multiple contract types and will provide our clients with the right advice based on project and financial needs.

MMA Design Technology

To support our practice’s design process, Morehouse MacDonald and Associates utilizes the latest computerized software and hardware. The firm has years of experience working with leading cloud-based software tools for comprehensive project document sharing, collaboration, and project management. Our clients and our teams can always access all ‘essential’ project data, files, and drawings via a computer, tablet, or smartphone—at any time, from anywhere in the world.

Our leadership in cloud-based project management tools reflects our firm’s history and expertise in delivering superior architectural design services for our clients far from our office in Boston. To meet client needs, we have created bespoke digital workflows just to help them stay in touch and review progress. Nearly all of our design staff today are fluent in 3D modeling and our firm has in-house and visualization capabilities. We also have close relationships with leading New England craftsman, such as woodworkers, and we can deliver digital files directly to their 4 and 5-axis CNC (computer numerical control) machines that cut unique MMA designs out of wood, metal or other materials.

Digital technology at MMA encompasses more than just leading-edge digital tools and processes, MMA is adaptive to embracing the latest technologies and will soon have a VR (virtual reality) conference space where clients can virtually inhabit our designs before shovels ever hit the ground.