Precision by Design. Sustainable Solutions with Purpose.
Crafted to align with your goals—and the world around you.
Residential
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Modern? Georgian? Federal Style? English Tudor? Craftsman? We enjoy working with every client, in the style they enjoy, to create something personal to them, and one they can live with for many years to come.
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Passive House is the highest standard for energy efficiency and affordability. Net Zero is another great benchmark. We are happy to help you achieve very high standards, or work with you to choose the beneficial elements that matter most.
Institution / Facilities
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The bigger the building, the more important good communication becomes.. We use cloud based management system for all parties to have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Good communication is the basis of all productive projects via relationships.
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Having a clear understanding of the specific type of facility our clients are working on is very important. Understanding the specific details of how you operate your facility is even more important. We want to work with you to help shape your institution into something uniquely catered to your needs. Whether it’s security, energy efficiency, or space planning, you’ll be glad you contacted us.
Commercial
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Commercial design requires an architect with knowledge of the client’s business, customer patterns, and seasonal opportunities. But it also requires mastery of zoning and building codes associated with each type of business and its location. As business owners ourselves, let us represent you and your business throughout the architectural process.
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The relationship between a client and Architect is crucial to project success. You will find ORA Architecture to be organized, communicative, and fun to work with. We strive to develop strong client relationships as life-long partnerships in any venture you choose.
Historic Preservation
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Good documentation is key to any historic preservation project. ORA Architecture does this through digital scans of the building both before and after any work has been initiated. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will appreciate and trust our approach to how we treat historic buildings and how we will pass that documentation torch to future architects.
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Before factories, there were crafts-people. An architect must understand both the material and the craft when it comes to Historic Preservation. Our firm has a long history of working with and teaching the craft of architecture. ORA Architecture has more hands-on skill than any other architecture firm when it comes to understanding historic buildings.
Our Process.
Start to Finish.
Contact
Working with an Architecture Firm is one of the most important decisions someone can make. ORA Architecture works hard to make the Architectural experience an enjoyable process by listening closely to our clients to fully understand what is important to them. We want to hear from you to start designing something great together!
Initial Site Visit
Before we can ever fully know our scope of work and how we will be working together, we must always visit the site with our clients. The initial site visit is essential to make sure your design vision is matched as closely as possible to the requirements of the site, zoning and building code, and safety requirements. We love this part of the process because it is one of discovery for both ORA Architecture, and our clients.
Your Proposal
Our proposals are custom designed for each and every design project. For us, a proposal is more than just a cost amount. More importantly, It’s a document to help you understand us, the process, and how we will work together throughout the architectural process.
Existing Conditions (EC)
No matter the project type, there are always Existing Conditions and rules & regulations to be factored and considered, right from the start. Like a snapshot in time, in a world that never stops moving, Existing Conditions Drawings (EC) can also be used as a reference for what originally existed, even at a much later date. This is the part of the process that is the foundation for all other design decisions to be considered. ORA Architecture offers several ways to document and highlight the existing conditions that are important to the process.
Design Phases (SD, DD, CD)
Schematic Design (SD)- This is the part of the process to start connecting the initial ideas with reality. This is the part of the process where your ideas will begin to materialize visually!
Design Development (DD) - Design Development is where the required engineering and details begin to materialize and take shape to work to hold true to the original concept.
Construction Documents (CD) - Construction Documents are what many call “architectural drawings”. These are the final signed & sealed drawings that the Building Department and General Contractors will work from. Construction Documents are the final phase of the architectural drawing process.
Construction Administration (CA)
Construction Administration (CA) - This phase can consist of preparation of bid documents, to assisting the client review submitted bids, to the ‘commissioning’ of a project, to creating reports from observations made on site that confirm or raise concerns about the contractor’s ability to follow the Construction Documents. Construction Administration highlights the specified timeline of the project and whether the builder is on track. Construction Administration is where we help our clients all the way to the finish line. There are many facets of this phase, and we are honored to represent you as the client, and work with you throughout the entire process, from start to finish.
Let’s Design Something Great Together
We’re always looking for new opportunities. Please get in touch and we will contact you about beginning the proposal process together.