Southern Draw Design Build |Knoxville Architects | Custom Home Builder | General Contractor - Design Development Questionnaire

design development questionnaire

Thank you for considering Southern Draw Design+Build to lead your design+build team! Whatever your requirements may be, the planning of your new project is an exciting and cooperative experience; we are at your service every step of the way. To start off our design process, please fill out as much of this form as you like, so that we can understand your style, desires, and goals. It’s not necessary to complete the entire questionnaire. Just provide us with enough information to get a basic understanding of your project and we’ll handle the rest!

NOTE: All fields are not required. The Client Contact Information is the only required section.

- client contact information -

Name(s):

Mailing Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone:

HomeMobile

Second Phone: (optional)

HomeMobile

Main Email:

Secondary Email:

Your preferred contact method:HomeCellEmail

Note: we will send .pdf documents and .jpg pictures via email once we begin the design process. We will cc: any addresses provided.

note: only click this send button if you are not going to fill out the rest of the form!

There will be another "Send" button at the end of the form if you are going to proceed with the remaining fields.

- site information -

It is not a problem if the information below is unknown, but if you know or have a Plot Plan, please provide a copy.

Site Location/Directions:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Size of Lot:

Site Notes:

Slope Notes:

Soil Notes:

Zoning Municipality:

Setbacks:

Architectural Review Board Name:

Setbacks:

Site Plan required?YesNo

Electrical Utility Company:PropaneNatural GasPrivate Septic/DrainfieldCommunity or City Sewer System

Telephone Company:

Cable Company:

Foundation Wall Height:

First Floor Wall Height:

First Floor Exterior Wall Thickness:

Interior Wall Thickness:

Second Floor Wall Height:

Second Floor Exterior Wall Thickness:

part one: how do you live?

- rooms & spaces -

How do you respond to spaces?
Do you like to feel enclosed and protected, or do you feel the need to spread out?
Physically, or visually?

In what room do you spend most of your time at home?Formal Living RoomGreat RoomThe KitchenHobby/Music RoomMedia RoomShop/GarageBedroomOffice/DenOther

If Other:

- hobbies & interests -

Do you have a special interest or hobby which requires a particular space in your home?YesNo

Do you play or own a musical instrument?YesNo

Do you enjoy indoor or outdoor gardening?YesNo

- what works for you? or doesn't? -

Is there something that could have been improved in your existing home?
For example, are the spaces too small, or designed in a way that does not fit your needs?

On the other hand, is there anything about your existing home that you love, and would like to replicate?
It might be the arrangement of rooms, or something as simple as an appliance. Maybe it is something intangible, such as the way the sun filters into a space in the afternoon.

What are the primary reasons for this house project?(check all that apply)DownsizingSpeculative/InvestmentDream HomeRetirement HomeNeed More SpaceRelocationVacation HomeOther

If Other:

- family information -

Please let us know the number of people who will reside in your home. If a section is not applicable, just leave it blank.

Adults:

Elderly Friends or Parents:

Teens:

Young Children:

Do any of these occupants have special needs, or would you like to plan for certain future needs?YesNo

If so, please explain:

Are any pets a part of your home life?YesNo

- visitors to your home -

Do you ever have guests stay with you in your home? How often?

Do they prefer to share your space, or to have a private area to themselves?

Max Visitors/Guests: (at one time)

Mark the box which most closely describes your current or anticipated entertaining lifestyle:We love to entertain at least a few times per month. Usually it is a close group of friends, but we sometimes find ourselves with large gatherings, especially during the summer months and holidays. It is important that our house flows well for a large number of people.We enjoy entertaining often during the holidays and summer months. Often for no reason at all, we have a small core group of close friends as guests.We like to entertain, but do not feel that we need to design our house for our infrequent gatherings of family and friends.We rarely entertain. Our home is a comfort and haven for us, and we go out to meet with friends or family.

Mark the box which most closely describes your current or anticipated entertaining lifestyle:Game Room/ Media CenterIndoor or Outdoor Wet BarLarge Deck for GroupsOur Family Room is Open for Everyone

part two: what's your style?

- the look & feel of your new home -

Describing a home’s style can be somewhat arbitrary, and many homes today are considered “eclectic” or “transitional” - merely meaning a mixture of styles. Because of this, simply mark any combination of the boxes which appeal to your aesthetic taste, even if you are not sure exactly what is meant by the style.

Mark All That Apply:A-Frame CabinAsian ContemporaryContemporaryCountry/CottageCraftsman / Bungalow/Arts and CraftsEastern/Coastal/ShingleGeorgian/Colonial/FederalFarmhouseLodge or LogMediterraneanMountain/ “Big Mountain” (mountain / lake)Northwest or Seattle Style ContemporaryPrairie/Frank Lloyd WrightRanch or Raised Ranch (split level)RusticShaker/Saltbox /Cape CodSouthwest/Adobe /PuebloSpanish Colonial/Spanish MissionTimber Frame (Post and Beam)Traditional or Transitional (Neo Eclectic)TudorVictorian or Gothic RevivalNot sure yet – I’ll know when I see

- roof -

Which slope style do you prefer?Dramatic Roof PitchGentle Roof Pitch

- ceilings -

Do you like any specialty ceilings? Vaulted, Coffered, Extra Height?

- interior colors & textures -

Do you have a preferred color scheme, or favorite textures for your home?

- caseworks, furnishings, collections -

Are there any special or oversize pieces of furniture you would like the house to be designed for?
An example of this would be a dining room hutch or a piano.

Is there any type of object or collection that you own which you really treasure and would like to display?

- lighting -

Do you prefer natural lighting, can lights, decorative fixtures, or a combination?
Are you interested in scene lighting – different levels of intensity depending on the use?

part three: the house plan – creating the vision

At this stage in the design process, please present us with whatever floor plan ideas you may have - a rough sketch, a detailed line drawing, or just a pile of home plan magazine clippings! Any or all of these are very helpful for us to begin developing the flow of your future home.

- size -

Do you have any general ideas of size of your home?

- floors -

How many floors (or stories) do you want?(check all that apply)Main FloorWalk-out or daylight basementBelow-grade basementUpper floorLoft/Bonus floor

- front entrance -

(check all that may apply)

Grand and DramaticSimple and WelcomingLarge PatioPorte Cochere (covered drop-off area)Country PorchDiscreet and Understated

- living/dining/kitchen relationship -

Check the box which best describes your ideal home:I would like one large, open space for my kitchen, eating area, and living area – a true “great room”I would like the living room, dining room and kitchen to be very open to each other, but each with its own definition of space and characteristics.I would like the kitchen partially obscured from the living room. In addition, the dining room should be a somewhat formal space with an informal eating nook off the kitchen.

- family/living room -

(check all that apply)

Living rooms can include formal areas, hobby spaces, game rooms, etc. You may like separate rooms for different purposes, or perhaps you enjoy combining all of your activities in one area. Let us know your preferences below.Formal parlor/living roomGreat roomFamily area – all activities togetherPrivate denPlay room for kids/ game room (lower level)TV/Home Theater

- kitchen -

Check the box which best describes your ideal kitchen:Open for entertaining, or for little ones underfootA country kitchen, open to a spacious eating areaA large, formal presentation/ or gourmet kitchenJust a standard kitchen / I do not know.

- bedrooms -

How many bedrooms would you like?

Will any of the bedrooms be mini-suites, directly accessing a private bathroom?YesNo

Would any of these bedrooms double as an office space? YesNo

- master bedroom -

Is the Master Suite in its own wing of the house, or adjacent to other bedrooms? Own WingAdjacent

Does the Master Suite include a second living space or is it only for sleeping?Second Living SpaceJust For Sleeping

Would you like a shared closet, or two separate closets? Walk-in or not?

Do you like the closet(s) accessible from the bedroom or from the bath?

- master bathroom -

(check all that apply)

Custom tiled showerShower insertJetted tubSoaking tub on tiled platform (new design tub?)Standard tubOne sinkTwo sinks

- den/office -

Do you need a den or office, or will it be shared with another room (such as a nook in the kitchen or laundry room)

- laundry/utility -

Do you like a laundry room immediately off of the garage, or in its own separate room?
Have you considered a laundry room near the Master Suite?

Does the laundry room double as a task or hobby room?

- garage -

(check all that apply)

Bay #1Bay #2Bay #3Shop/workbench areaExtra Fridge/FreezerStorage AreaBoat storageRV storageATV/ “toy” storageDetached Shop Building

Do you like attic storage or “bonus room” space above your garage?

- additional storage -

Wine RoomHobby/Work Room

Do you have particular additional storage needs?

- rear & side decks -

(check all that apply)

I would like a large deck from which to enjoy my viewsA portion of my deck should be covered – for protection from the weatherI would like a wrap-around deck, attached to other parts of the home, such as bedrooms.I would like separate decks for living and bedroom areasI will need stairs from my deck to grade levelI would like a small deck off of bedrooms where possible, even at the upper floor

- outdoor space -

Do you spend much time in your yard? For dining, entertaining? How else do you use the outdoors?

Would you like landscape features? If so, do you have your own ideas, or would you be interested in the services of a landscape architect?

Any recreational areas around the exterior of the building? (check all that apply)DockBBQ Pit (Fire pit)Games Area (horseshoes, volleyball, putting, swingset)Garden ShedGazebo, Arbor, PergolaGreenhouse Hot TubOther

If Other:

- other spaces -

Do you have any comments about other rooms or spaces not included above? Special nooks, closets, wine cellar, or features you’d like to have? Sometimes the “leftover” or “extra” spaces can become the most popular spaces of the house, used to read, exercise, work on the computer, or just get away.

part four: specific components

If you wish to skip this part and work with us on this at a later time, you are more than welcome.

- exterior materials for your home -

Mark one or more materials you might like for your home. For your convenience, the following key is provided to help describe the materials for comparison purposes:

$ = cost effective
$$ = average cost
$$$ = expensive
LM = Low Maintenance

Siding: (check all that apply)Cement Fiber “Hardi-Plank” ($$) (LM)Cedar Lap ($$)Vinyl or steel Lap ($) (LM)Vinyl or steel sidewall shakes ($) (LM)Sidewall Cedar shakes ($$$)Cement Fiber “Hardi- shingles”($$) (LM)Cedar Board and Batten ($)Cement Fiber Board and Batten($) (LM)Vertical channel cedar panels ($$)Stucco or “EIFS” ($$$) (LM)Stone ($$$) (LM)Brick ($$$) (LM)

Roofing: (check all that apply)Asphalt Composition Shingles($-$$) (LM)Standing seam Metal Panels ($$) (LM)Metal Shingles ($$) (LM)Cedar Shingles/Shakes ($$$)Concrete (“clay”) roof tiles ($$$) (LM) (???)Recycled Rubber or composite tiles ($$) (LM)True Copper panels or tiles ($$$)Rusted or corrugated Metal ($$) (LM)

Windows: (check all that apply)Vinyl outside and inside ($) (LM)Fiberglass outside, wood inside ($$) (LM)Aluminum outside and inside ($$) (LM)Vinyl outside, wood inside ($$) (LM)Metal clad outside, wood inside ($$$)

Exterior Doors: (check all that apply)Stained on the outside and insidePainted on the outside, stained on the insidePainted on the outside and insideFiberglass or steel on the outside and stained or painted on the inside (LM)

Exterior Finish: What type of paint finishes do you like on the exterior of your home?(check all that apply)Stained finishes with exposed timbersTraditional painted finishesI like the transitional look with some painted finishes and some stained accentsNo paint or stain

- interior materials for your home -

What type of windows (if any) do you prefer?

What type of interior doors do you prefer?

Do you like oversize doors, such as 3’ wide or 8’ tall?YesNo

Heating/Ventilating/Cooling System:(check all that you might be interested to include in your house)Electric or gas forced air heat/air coolingGeothermalElectric or gas heat pump systemIn-floor hydronic heatingElectric in-floor heating matsAir cleaners or radon controlBlown cellulose insulation (?)Icynene/Foam insulation (?)

Home Automation Systems:(check all that apply) Please note that many of these systems can be “roughed-in” or “pre-wired” only, for possible future installation.Cable Service (?)Satellite Dish (?)Pre-wire for CAT-VE for high speed internet and phonesPhone/paging system (in addition to standard phone wiring)Security systemCentral lighting system in Living, Dining, Kitchen areas onlyCentral lighting system for entire house with smart lighting control panelsSound system (whole house audio)Central Vacuum systemHome theatreSmart HVAC control system

- plumbing -

Are you interested in a tankless hot water system?YesNoUnsure

Would you like a looped heating system for faster demand hot water?YesNoUnsure

Will you need a water filter or water softener?YesNoUnsure

part five: the big picture

- timeline -

Are you interested in starting construction as soon as drawings are completed, or are you looking for a “design-only” set at this time?

- project cost -

What is your approximate budget?

NOTE: this can be a total number or a cost-per-square foot number. Divulging this number will not affect the design professional’s fee! If you don’t know, we can help with estimating, based on the information you’ve provided in the questionnaire.