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Designing Your Home with dSPACE Studio

A clear, collaborative design process—from early concept through construction—shaped around how you live.

Hand-drawn architectural sketch of a modern, low-profile residence with flat roofs, large glazing, and stepped terraces.

dSPACE Studio's Architectural Process


PRELIMINARY DESIGN
 

exploring

Learning how you live and want to live
 
Studying site, climate, and context
 
Architectural ideas and spatial relationships
 
Project tours and exploring options 
 
Setting a design and budget framework

shaping


SCHEMATIC DESIGN
 

Refining design direction
 
Floor plans and spatial studies
 
3D models to visualize the home
 
Showroom visits
 
Budget alignment

refining


DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
 

Advancing the design through iteration
 
Detailed renderings and visual studies
 
Finish, fixture, and material selections
 
General contractor (GC) pricing and analysis
 
GC selection and coordination


CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
 

finalizing

Permit documentation and approvals
 
Produce the technical drawing set
 
Consultant and engineer coordination
 
Cost optimization and finalizing construction cost
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Pre-construction planning​

building


CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
 

GC meetings and site visits
 
Observing work in progress
 
Submittals and shop drawing reviews
 
GC Payment application reviews
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Punch list and project closeout

model of modern home profile by a small chicago architecture firm
Hollywood Hills Pool CROP- dSPACE Studio - Cantilever House.jpg
Chicago architects collaborate over modern design in construction drawings
dSPACE Construction Administration.jpg

The Value of Working with dSPACE Studio

Thoughtful planning, clear pricing, and confident decisions.

Working with dSPACE Studio is an investment in clarity and informed decision-making—long before construction begins. Our architectural process is designed to help you understand your home in advance, so key choices are made intentionally rather than under pressure once work is underway.

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When comprehensive drawings are developed and design questions are resolved early, contractors can price the project accurately, bids can be compared meaningfully, and cost-saving opportunities can be identified while they still matter. This approach minimizes change orders and helps avoid costly delays during construction.

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The result is a home tailored to how you live, delivered through a smoother, more predictable building process with real control over quality and budget. You are shaping a place that will become part of your personal story. Our goal is to guide you through an experience that feels thoughtful, transparent, and fulfilling from start to finish.

We chose dSPACE because of their experience with complex projects, attention to detail, and unique modern style. We were confident that no stones would be left unturned.

Client, Lakewood Residence    

Phase 1   Pre-Design

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We begin by exploring your vision for the home—its character, aesthetic, and how it supports the way you live. We walk the site to understand the landscape, views, solar orientation, and opportunities for siting the home. This is the time to dream.

 

You may share precedent images to help us understand your aesthetic. dSPACE Studio may arrange home tours to gauge your response to spatial qualities, materials, and design elements.

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Pre-Design concludes with an emerging design direction and budget framework.

Phase 2   Schematic Design

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Schematic Design translates the ideas developed in Pre-Design into architectural form. Through a series of collaborative meetings, we explore alternative layouts, massing, and spatial relationships. We develop 3D models and early design drawings—including site plans, floor plans, sections, and elevations—to help you understand how the home will look, feel, and function.

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Schematic Design concludes with an aligned architectural concept—where the layout, form, site, and budget come together, and the home begins to take shape.

custom home builders work with an architecct to design modern facade in Chicago
zzz 08 210420_Foyer.jpg

Phase 3   Design Development 

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In Design Development, your home is brought into sharper focus. We develop detailed drawings—including plans, elevations, and sections—and work with you to select exterior and interior materials, finishes, and key design elements.

 

This process may include showroom tours for hands-on exploration of details. A detailed 3D model allows you to virtually walk through the home, helping you understand how spaces connect and ensuring the home feels right before construction begins.

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Design Development concludes with a drawing set used to obtain permits and preliminary construction pricing from contractors.

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They have the talent and expertise of a big firm and the personalized attention and focus of a boutique firm.

Client, Brickyard Residence

Phase 4   Construction Documents

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This is when final decisions are made and the design is documented for construction. We prepare detailed architectural drawings that contractors use to establish actual construction costs and to build your home.

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During this phase, a contractor is selected. You may already have one, or dSPACE can help guide the selection. A contractor may join the team early to participate in the design process, or we can conduct a formal bidding process and assist you in evaluating proposals.

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The CD phase concludes when permits are approved and a contractor is engaged—enabling construction to begin with clarity and confidence.

Architect conducting a site visit during construction of a modern oceanfront home, reviewing drawings with the contractor.

​​​​Phase 5   Construction Administration

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This is when your home is built. During construction, dSPACE as your architect and advocate, makes regular site visits to confirm that the work is crafted with care and conforms with the design intent. We review contractor payment requests, respond to questions, and keep you informed of progress.

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At completion, dSPACE conducts a thorough project closeout, including a punch list and a detailed review of the contractor’s final payment request—helping ensure everything is complete, accurate, and resolved.

​​​​Welcome home.

 

Construction is complete. It’s time to begin living in your new home.

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