The architectural design process is a step-by-step journey that transforms an idea into a functional, compliant, and beautifully built space. For an architectural firm, this process ensures that every stage from concept to construction aligns design intent with practical delivery.
At its core, the process blends creativity with technical precision. Architects guide clients through each stage, developing the design, coordinating consultants, and ensuring all drawings meet regulatory and construction standards.
The main stages of architectural design include:
- Pre-Design / Briefing: Gathering client requirements, studying the site, analysing budgets, and preparing feasibility reports. This sets the foundation for design direction and project scope.
- Concept & Schematic Design: Exploring design ideas through sketches, mood boards, and spatial planning. The goal here is to define the overall layout, flow, and aesthetic direction.
- Design Development: Refining the concept into technical plans. Materials, finishes, and systems (like lighting, mechanical, and structural) are coordinated with engineers and consultants.
- Construction Documentation: Producing detailed drawings and specifications used for council approval, tendering, and construction.
- Construction Administration: Overseeing the build to ensure the final outcome reflects the design intent. The architect answers site queries, reviews shop drawings, and conducts inspections.
A well-managed design process ensures clarity, compliance, and creativity at every stage. By maintaining open communication with the client and builder, architects can balance innovation with practicality delivering projects that look exceptional and perform seamlessly.
The timeframe for each phase of an architectural project varies with project size, complexity and site constraints. That said, you can use the following as guideline durations when planning.
Typical phase durations for many projects:
- Pre-Design / Briefing: Usually around 2-4 weeks. This covers initial client discussions, site research, program definition, budget review and feasibility.
- Schematic Design: Typically 4-8 weeks. During this time concepts, layouts, massing studies and client feedback cycles happen.
- Design Development: Often 8-12 weeks or more depending on technical complexity. Here the chosen concept is developed into detailed plans, systems coordination, materials and finishes.
- Construction Documentation: Usually the longest design phase—8-12 weeks or more depending on the size and number of consultants. Detailed drawings, specs and approvals are prepared.
- Bidding / Procurement: Around 4-6 weeks, assuming documents are ready and there are multiple contractors bidding.
- Construction / Construction Administration: Highly variable depending on the building type, scope and procurement from 6 months upward for many buildings. One firm reports concept-to-construction for shell & core could start 6-9 months for early phases then construction 6-12 months or more.
Turning early sketches into final construction drawings is one of the most important transitions in the architectural process. It’s where creative ideas evolve into precise, buildable documentation bridging design vision and on-site execution.
An architect begins with loose concept sketches that capture spatial flow, proportion, and form. These are often hand-drawn or digital studies exploring layout options and overall design intent. Once the preferred direction is chosen, the architect refines these sketches through iterative modelling and coordination with engineers and consultants.
The key stages of this transition include:
- Schematic Design: Initial sketches and massing studies are developed into scaled floor plans and elevations. The goal is to define the building’s look and feel while confirming functionality.
- Design Development: The chosen concept is detailed with accurate dimensions, materials, lighting, and structural coordination. At this point, 3D models and detailed plans begin to mirror how the space will actually be built.
- Construction Documentation: All design information is converted into technical drawings and written specifications. These include floor plans, sections, details, joinery drawings, and schedules used by builders, engineers, and certifiers.
During this process, architects continuously check for compliance with building codes and standards. Every drawing is reviewed, coordinated, and annotated to remove ambiguity before it’s issued for tender or construction.
This progression from concept sketches to construction drawings ensures that the final design remains true to the original vision while meeting practical, regulatory, and structural requirements.
What is the process of architectural design?
The architectural design process moves from initial briefing through concept, development, documentation, and construction. Each stage builds on the last, blending creativity, compliance, and coordination to turn ideas into built form.
How long does each phase of an architecture project take?
Timelines vary by project scale, but generally: Pre-Design (2–4 weeks), Schematic Design (4–8 weeks), Design Development (8–12 weeks), Documentation (8–12 weeks), and Construction (6 months+). Each phase overlaps slightly to keep momentum and efficiency.
How does an architect move from sketches to final construction drawings?
Architects start with conceptual sketches, develop them into detailed plans, then produce precise construction documents. The process ensures the design vision translates into accurate, buildable, and compliant drawings ready for construction.
