Architectural Design

Architectural design encompasses all the components of a structure: external, internal, and systems. We guide each client, helping them through every step of the way, from the expression of their dreams and desires, the setting of goals and objectives to the final product: A detailed design, implementable within the defined budget and schedule. We strive to create a design that provides optimal solutions for all aspects of the project while constantly communicating with our client, processing ideas, creating sketches/drafts, and giving/receiving feedback.

The layout of the land and cardinal directions, functionality, style, budget, material preferences, construction methods, and time constrains - are all taken into account and expressed in the final conceptual program. Upon its completion, we prepare the plans for the application to the authorities and apply for a building permit. Then we move on to detailed planning the preparation of work-plans. To this end, we also detail the openings, stairs, roofs, and all other components needed for construction to begin. Here, and throughout the planning stage, we integrate into the design the basic systems (plumbing, electricity, communications, and air conditioning), as well as other more advanced systems, all in accordance with the conceptual program’s specifications and the client’s requirements. 
 

Interior Design

We plan the positioning of the major furnishings in the house: seating areas, beds, closets, desks, etc. Electric wiring, lighting, sound and viewing systems, communications and computers – all are results of correct positioning of furniture, and foresight of life conduct within the house, both in everyday life and on special occasions (like parties and other gatherings). We provide comprehensive plans of all the openings in the house: exterior doors, interior doors and windows, as well as detailed explanations of the different types of products available on the market. We guide and assist the client in choosing the products that best suit the style and budget defined in the conceptual program.

We provide comprehensive plans for all permanent woodwork: kitchen, bathrooms, walk-in closets, wall closets, etc. We specify the types of flooring and cladding inside and outside the house, help the client in the selection process and plan the layout for the various flooring and cladding variations. We pick the color palette for the house: interior and exterior wall colors, roofs, flooring, railings, and fences – all have to be part of one integrated color scheme, consistent with the project objectives and the client’s personal taste. We plan all of the mechanical systems of the house, aiming for maximum integration with the design and planning: air conditioners, elevators, central vacuum cleaners, heating and gas systems, fireplaces, swimming pools, hot tubs, etc.  
 

Budget Management

Concurrently with the formulation of the conceptual program, we decide on a preliminary budget framework, together with the client, allowing us to begin planning the house within the limitations of the available resources. The preliminary budget is based on well-founded evaluations, price indices commonly in use in the construction field, and our own experience in managing construction budgets. The budget gradually takes shape as the planning progresses, and decisions are made on the different building components, the systems, the finish materials, the accessories, etc. Before construction is commenced on site, we decide on the target budget, together with the client. In addition to the more well-known points, like the costs of the planning and construction themselves, we make sure to include all the additional expenses that will be entailed in the process of preparing the house before the family can move in: from the building permit levies to the cleaning company cost before moving in.

Throughout the construction process, we track and report all deviations from the budget, and suggest ways to stay within its limits. This approach helps prevent grief, suffering, and unwanted concessions caused by poor budget management. Our experience has taught us that structuring a reasonable, detailed budget, and making sure not to stray from it during construction, brings about the welcome result of meeting budget goals, prevents financial entanglements, maximizes the chances of being able to complete the project, and saves a lot of distress for both the architect and the client 
 

Supervision

Here at Tamar Asher-Avnon, Architects, we have developed an extensive knowledge base of construction technologies, materials and systems (both mechanical and electric), commonly used in single family home projects. We constantly learn new technological innovations, materials, and construction methods. We have also become intimately familiar with the Israeli construction market, with all of its complexities and problems. Our deep understanding of the planned structure and its systems allows us to monitor the contractors, suppliers, and tradesmen of the project, and ensure they adhere to the required specifications and properties. We alert the relevant parties of any problems as they happen, rather than after the fact, and resolve deviations and malfunctions in the field before they become serious problems that can't be fixed.

Our continuous communication with the contractors and tradesmen, and frequent visits to the construction site, allow us to oversee the level of the performance and achieve an optimal final result. Our goal is to exceed our clients’, and our own expectations. A construction supervisor who is also the planner has advantages over a separately employed supervisor, who is unfamiliar with all the minute considerations of planning. We have come to realize that execution and planning cannot be treated separately. Often, the constraints of execution require the plans to be amended and updated mid-process. The architect can resolve problems in the field, using his ability to see the complete picture. He knows where to insist and where to concede, without negatively impacting the result, while saving precious time and resources.