ABOUT
Values
Asiri Designs is based in Portland, Oregon, at the center of the Pacific Northwest. The Pacific Northwest is known for its dramatic landscapes, lush coniferous forests, and diverse biomes. My design philosophy does not compete with or intrude on the northwest landscape, but seeks to enhance the experience of being in these special places, taking inspiration from the features of these locations.
Local materials, building techniques, and vernacular precedents all have an impact on how I design in the Northwest, with each geographically unique location presenting their own opportunities.
People often ask how to start a project, but many overlook that it starts with you. Each design decision and every line on the page reflects a conversation with you. Your property is special, and deserves the time and care necessary to create something that is connected and well integrated into your land that you can enjoy living in for a lifetime.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE DESIGN PROCESS
PRE-DESIGN PHASE
The pre-design phase is an information gathering phase. In this phase we will do a zoning & local building code analysis, review any deeds and/or conditional agreements for the property, order a survey of the site to analyze topography and locations of trees, existing structures, large objects, utilities, etc., and then collate this information into a site analysis where we would overlay information on potential views, sun path/solar orientation, and any other significant data. We will also come up with a rough schedule as well as a budgeting exercise called a program to determine a target square footage for the home and walk the site once or twice after this site analysis has been conducted before moving on to the next phase.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE
The schematic design phase is where the magic starts to happen. In this phase we explore many different possibilities and concepts based on the needs of the client and how to best implement these ideas into the constraints of the site. We explore different potential floor plan layouts, generate ideas for the exterior and interior materials, and implement the type of experience you want to have in this house. We will usually run through 5-6 concepts before we land on something that we can start refining into buildable plans.
Design Development Phase
The design development phase is where we solidify many of the decisions in the project for both the exterior and interior, such as finalizing the floor plan layout with hard dimensions and precision, making decisions on materials and fixtures, begin work with window and door manufacturers, develop a lighting plan concept, finalize interior cabinetry and casework, and coordinate with the structural engineer and any other trades to integrate these systems into the design. We will meet several times to iron out these details which can be anywhere between a few weeks to several months, depending on the size and level of complexity of the project.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS PHASE
The Construction Document Phase is the culmination of all the decisions we have made up until now. Almost every detail and decision becomes finalized in the project, as I generate drawings that can actually be used for construction that are fully dimensioned, annotated, and specific. This is the most important phase which requires the implementation of manufacturer information, coordination with other trades, specification callouts, and a great deal of product research to make sure every component is being properly integrated into the drawings.
Construction Observation Phase
Construction Observation covers the time spent when I conduct site visits for quality checks and answer any questions that might come up during the construction phase. Sometimes this phase requires the re-working of certain details, change orders, and the resolution of any other issues.
THE OWNER
Sharif Asiri
Owner and Designer
B.S. Arch.
A.A.S. Residential Arch.
