Workbook Development
Curtis & Emmons uses this workbook, which was developed over the past thirty years, as a tool to help you better define and prioritize what's most important to you in the design and use of your home. Each family member has the opportunity to fill out a workbook, and Pat compiles an architectural program based on the desires and dreams of the people who will be living there. This process is unique to Curtis & Emmons, and it's an essential ingredient in the firm's ability to design spaces that perfectly suit their inhabitants.

Preliminary Design
From the design program, Curtis & Emmons develops an early proposal describing general feature and direction for a design. These early sketches unfold new possibilities, and from there, Pat further expands the drawings until you are satisfied. Perspective drawings and sometimes models are used to show the important three-dimensional aspects of the design.

At this point, Pat consults a licensed contractor for a budget estimate of your project. If the proposal does not meet your budget requirements, she works with you to modify it until it conforms to your needs.

Construction Documents
From final preliminary design drawings, she prepares construction documents. She uses these to establish construction costs, and to guide construction of the project.

The construction documents phase is yet another step in the design process. Pat further refines your preliminary designs. Spaces, forms and relationships are finely tuned. Materials, fixtures and equipment are selected. Specifics of the final appearance are delineated. If appropriate, she applies for your building permit during this phase.

Construction Costing
She helps locate highly qualified contractors and prepare bidding documents. She also answer questions that arise from the contractors bidding the job. She helps you select a contractor and prepare a contract for construction.

Construction
Construction is the final part of the design process. Pat is on call to help resolve any questions regarding the intent of design, or any new issues that develop. She processes the contractor's application for payment, change orders, and any other queries.