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Behind the Design: Schematic Design

By Marisa on . Posted in Behind the Design, Illustrating Our Process

If you follow us on Instagram, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of what our days actually look like — the sketches spread across the conference table, the early Zoom conversations and on-screen sketching, and lots of inspiration images from our projects and architects we admire. We love sharing those moments in our stories because they capture something that finished project photos can’t quite convey: the process.

Announcement of new Quattro residential architecture project, with inspiration image of timber-clad barn-style buildings under blue sky.
Inspiration images for the Quattro project showing an artist's studio, cozy living space with large windows, and loom workshop interior.
Client inspiration images for Quattro pre-design meeting showing glass forest pavilion, library workspace, and wood-clad entry with plants.

Unfortunately, stories disappear! And a lot of that content — the behind-the-scenes, in-the-weeds glimpses of how a home comes together — deserves a longer shelf life. So today we’re bringing some of our favorite Instagram story content over to the blog, where it can live alongside our more in-depth posts and give you a fuller picture of how we work.

Misty Hollow exploratory schematic design showing three color-coded floor plan proposals for expanding a historic white New England farmhouse.
Misty Hollow Proposal 1 floor plans and inspiration images showing a new family home added to the property with minimal renovation of the existing house.
Misty Hollow Proposal 2 showing first floor expansion and renovation plans alongside second floor renovation for a complete reconfiguration of the existing home.
Misty Hollow Proposal 3 floor plans for a smaller separate home and a substantial renovation of the existing house, with modern farmhouse inspiration images.

We’re starting with Schematic Design — which happens to be one of our favorite phases.

Olivebridge Renovation schematic design intro with inspiration images of green-tiled bathroom, walnut kitchen with marble backsplash, and spa-style bath.
Olivebridge kitchen redesign floor plan and elevations showing new island sink placement, pantry cabinet wall, Wolf oven, and Blanco pull-down faucet.
Olivebridge guest bathroom floor plan and elevations showing new alcove tub-shower, floating vanity with built-in storage, and green tile inspiration.
Olivebridge main bathroom redesign plans and elevations featuring an open steam shower with floating bench, built-in vanity storage, and ribbon window.

For those less familiar with how the architectural design process works, SD (as we call it around the office) is the first major design phase of a project, coming right after our Pre-Design work of site visits, client interviews, and big-picture programming. It’s the phase where we stop gathering information and start making things.

See Haus SD3 floor plan showing glass block bedroom wall and pass-through closet, with inspiration images of translucent interior walls and an arched terracotta bathroom.
See Haus SD3 inspiration images for translucent multi-functional storage volumes using glass block, polycarbonate, and frosted panels as interior design and light elements.

Floor plans, massing studies, sketch models, inspiration boards — SD is where the big ideas take shape. This phase is very exploratory by nature, and we love the collaboration opportunities that this phase invites!

Architectural renders of a modern garage-gallery for the ClusterOne project, designed to double as an art exhibition space.
3D renders of a sawtooth roof garage-gallery design with dramatic angular rooflines and bright gallery interior, ClusterOne project.
ClusterOne garage-gallery design with mirrored cladding, bold orange sawtooth fins, and built-in art storage interior.
Design scheme comparison for ClusterOne garage showing glass block walls and fully operable wall options, with 3D architectural renders.
Final ClusterOne garage design featuring Shou Sugi Ban siding, bifold garage door, skylights, and built-in art storage floor plan.

Schematic Design is also where we get to know our clients in a new way. Up until that first SD meeting, we’ve been listening and asking questions. SD is our first chance to respond — to translate everything we’ve learned about how someone lives, what they love, and what they’re dreaming of into actual space.

Beacon Firehouse SD1 meeting recap with hand-drawn floor plan sketches and staircase design inspiration images for bringing natural light through all four levels of the converted building.
Beacon Firehouse hand-sketched floor plan alternatives exploring bedroom layouts, larger garage option, gym, and porch configurations, with elegant minimalist living room inspiration.
Beacon Firehouse design preserving the historic brick front facade while adding a new front porch and outdoor gathering area for the client, shown with site plan sketch and photos of the existing building.
Beacon Firehouse SD design sketch showing bedroom with direct access to back deck and basement plan, emphasizing multiple outdoor areas for an active family.

We typically bring more than one scheme to that initial meeting, because design isn’t about arriving at the answer right away. It’s about having a conversation. About exploring.

Schematic design floor plan for The Nest, a hillside home exploring four site orientations to maximize sweeping eastern views.
The Nest SD2 floor plan and site plan showing living spaces reoriented to capture southern light and downhill views.
The Nest SD2 floor plan highlighting three client-loved design details: an under-stair reading nook, sunken living room, and screened-in porch with inspiration images.
The Nest client-created interactive design board showing inspiration images pinned to the site plan and floor plan with specific callouts for kitchen, dining, porch, and living room.

We hope bringing these stories to the blog gives you a better sense of what it feels like to be in the middle of a project with us — not just the finished home, but the path to get there.

Queensbury Germantown renovation schematic design showing multiple 3D massing models for a new main bathroom addition designed to capture Hudson River views.
Queensbury bathroom Scheme B and Scheme C floor plans featuring freestanding tub, steam shower, sauna, glass wall, and bench, with warm spa bathroom inspiration images.
Queensbury bathroom Scheme D and Scheme E floor plans with rain shower, freestanding tub, sauna, and floating bench, with minimalist spa bathroom inspiration.
Queensbury project built-in bookshelf elevation schemes A, B, and C for a client's home office, designed to follow the roofline with integrated storage and desk area.

Stay tuned, and as always, come find us on Instagram at @studiommarchitect for more real-time updates from the studio.

Black Rock SD1 overview showing client preference for bold color pops throughout the home, with inspiration images of bright painted doors and multicolored modular bookshelves.
Black Rock Scheme 1 floor plan showing large open living area with entry screen, paired with dark moody dining and open kitchen-living inspiration images.
Black Rock Scheme 2 floor plan positioning the dining room opposite the entry for a framed arrival view, with colorful mid-century inspired kitchen inspiration images.
Black Rock Schemes 3 and 4 floor plans showing linear open living space and kitchen relocation to front of house for prime property views, with colorful open-plan interior inspiration.