ARCHITECT

Is a trained person that knows how to turn dreams into reality.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Is the art and science of imagining and then building physical structures. Buildings and built spaces always begin with a Design Concept. A design concept is a way of translating an idea into a physical structure. ArchitecTo-Go specializes in Design Concepts that are called “DESIGNED TO FIT”.

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS

Are the depicted expression of any given space or building. Architectural designs are represented in bi-dimensional drawings that will be used for its construction. An Architectural drawing contains the specifications, calculations and all other information necessary for the construction of a given space or building.

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT

Is the development of the initial design concept up to the smallest construction detail. Many professionals take part in this development under the guidance of the chief architect who is responsible for the completion of the task. All the different parts of the building are drawn and calculated to its smallest parts, verified and then submitted to authorities for its legal construction permissions. (see Documents Needed to develop a building)

CAPACITY

When we talk about capacity, we mean the optimized number of people, cargo or vehicles that a particular space can contain in a secure manner.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

The small parts that enhance and refine buildings are called Details. Floor design, ceiling design, door and window designs, electrical features, cabinetry and many other things make the difference between one building and the other.

DESIGN CONCEPT AND PROGRAMMING

Is the first stage of any development where the basic criteria, functional requirements, form, sizes and number of spaces are defined. Concept and programming schedules vary according to design size and complexity. ArchitecTo-Go delivers Design Concepts.

DESIGN SCALES

a) SINGLE SPACE

Choose single space level when you are trying to obtain information or ask a question regarding a particular room or space. Your inquiry can be referred to an indoor or outdoor area. For example: I need to renovate my bathroom. Or, how do I make a landscape proposal in my patio?

b) BUILDING AREA

Building area is a group of spaces that are individually designed for different activities but function together as a whole. For example: a house is a building that contains several different rooms or spaces that work together. If you are referring to more than one room or area then you are referring to a building. Buildings areas can be small or huge. A small building area question could be: Which roof is best for a terrace with an adjacent garage? A large question could be: How do we optimize dangerous cargo flow at a hospital?

c) URBAN SPACE

Choose this level if your inquiry is related to a public space or group of spaces. These areas can be small or huge. For example, the social spaces of a building are a public environment. Also, a community park, a roadway, or a plaza, are examples of urban spaces.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO DEVELOP ANY BUILDING

First of all you need a design concept or DESIGNED TO FIT concept. After that a project budget is needed. Every building is different and is fitted to particular needs. Because of this, different sets of studies are required for each construction. The main requirements are:
•Public regulations and zoning for the given area
•Building budget and timeline
•Soil studies
•Topographical plans
•Environmental and geographical characteristics
•Architectural Preliminary Plans
•Structural Preliminary Plans
•Public facilities approval and permit
•Legal approval of the Architectural Preliminary plans
•Complete Architectural schematics
•Complete Structural schematics and calculations
•Complete Electricity and Plumbing schematics and calculations
•Complete Mechanical schematics and calculations
•Complete Air Conditioning, Heating and Ventilation plans
•Complete garbage disposal Plans

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO OBTAIN IDEAS FROM ARCHITECTO-GO

We need an accurate description of the characteristics surrounding your area and a plan or photograph of the space. When you ask for advice, ArchitecTo-Go we’ll open immediate communications with you in order to satisfy your inquiry.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS

All conditions created by humans and surrounding of a given space are called environmental. For example, if you live in an industrial area, your environment can be clean or not, or neat and organized or not. Beauty and order seem subjective qualities but they really are environmental.

GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Are the physical conditions of the area surrounding the space you want to build or renovate: climate, wind, vegetation, seaside, riverside, mountain, plains, rain levels, etc.

SOIL STUDIES

Every architectural structure and its calculation is based on the results of Soil Studies for the particular piece of land where the building will be located. Support for buildings is strictly based on this science.

TOPOGRAPHY

Topography is the science that studies the characteristics of the terrain. Topographical plans are necessary for every building design.

URBAN DESIGN

Urban design is the science that organizes and defines spatial and functional characteristics of community areas. Urban design plans are also two dimensional drawings that contain the necessary information to define the urban environment. Urban design takes into consideration: public networks, land use, real estate development and environmental protection among other public issues.

UTILITIES

Are those services provided to large number of users in a town or city: water, sewage, electricity, telephone. New buildings need special permits in order to be serviced by these utilities.

WORKING PLANS

If you need to build or renovate any given area, you need a set of working plans or schematics. These legal drawings contain all the necessary information for the building to be constructed. An Architect coordinates several professionals that take part in completing these plans. Every building requires different professionals to complete the process of elaborating the working plans.