Our Process
CZ Designs Inc. is a full-service design firm, specializing in designs for custom homes, additions and large-scale renovations. From traditional to contemporary, we are dedicated to creating spaces that embody your vision and unique style while meeting any specific needs or requirements. Our firm is intentionally small, enabling personal and intimate involvement in every aspect of a project - from the initial designs and construction drawings through to project completion. This dedicated approach ensures alignment with specifications while supporting consistency, quality and accuracy from your vision to the end product.
DESIGN BRIEF
Our process begins with the design brief, which outlines the project's scope, style, scale and core details. Understanding a client’s day-to-day requirements (family members, work, hobbies, sports, etc.) is just as important as their wish list when creating a design that truly maximizes function and fits their lifestyle. Inspirational photos or idea boards (interior and/or exterior) are also encouraged at this stage to help illustrate and conceptualize the design's style and direction.
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
The conceptual design is the most crucial part of the design process. This ensures the design aligns with project requirements, while also considering feasibility and zoning. We will conduct a comprehensive review of the site and city zoning by-laws to identify any constraints to the home's design and determine if approval for a minor variance from the Committee of Adjustment will be required. In this phase conceptual floor plans for each level and 3 dimensional exterior perspectives of both the front and rear of the home will be presented to the client for review and feedback. A preliminary landscape plan will also be presented to show how the home will be situated on the lot, how it relates to the land's topography, and how the landscaping will complement the home's design. The goal for this phase of the design process is to bring the client’s vision to life and guide the development for the rest of the project.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
The client’s feedback on the conceptual design allows us to make necessary adjustments and then refine the drawings into a complete design package for initial submission to city planning for a zoning review. While waiting for the city to review and provide notice, we continue to refine the design and develop 3D photorealistic renderings of the home's front and rear exterior facades. This allows us to examine and propose options for exterior materials, colour palette, lighting (natural and/or artificial), and landscaping elements. For the interior, we further develop the floor plan details and when applicable, collaborate with the client’s Interior Designer to produce a cohesive design that ties the interior to the exterior. Other approvals, such as Urban Forestry, Site Plan Approval, TRCA (Toronto Region Conservation Authority), and RNFP (Ravine and Natural Feature Protection) will also be addressed during this phase of the project.
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
All of the design elements from the previous phases are now assembled into a detailed set of technical construction drawings that your contractor will use to construct your home. These drawings include fully dimensioned and noted floor plans, exterior elevations, cross sections, and detailed specifications of all the elements that your contractor and trades will require to execute the design. CZ Designs will coordinate with all the subconsultants required to produce a full set of construction documents for permits and construction - this includes Structural Engineering, HVAC Engineering (Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning), and Surveying for site grading. CZ Designs is committed to the lifecycle of the project as it is important to us that our client’s home is constructed as it was designed. We will continue our engagement via site visits at various stages of construction as well as make ourselves available for consulting on exterior material selections and any additional design elements.
