California Associates architecture department has successfully produced work in Fresno County for over 10 years and we are known well throughout all local agencies. The reason for our past and future success is our our set starndards of procedures and phases for every project big or small.

Schematic Design Phase

1.Review program and provide
evaluation.
2.Evaluate owner’s budget and
schedule.
3.Present alternative design and
construction approaches.
4.Establish conceptual direction
based on mutual understanding of
programs, budget, schedule and
design approach.
5.Prepare schematic design
drawings illustrating the scale
and components of the project.
6.Obtain approval Client.

Design Development Phase

1.Based on the approval of
Schematic Design Documents,
prepare Design Development
Documents consisting of drawings
and other documents which
describe the size and character
of the project relative to
architectural, structural,
mechanical and electrical
system, materials and other
appropriate elements.
2.Advise the Client of any
adjustments to the preliminary
estimate of Construction Cost.
3.Obtain approval from Client.

Construction Documents Phase

1.Based on the approved Design
Development Documents and any
other further adjustments
authorized by the Client,
prepare Construction Documents
for approval consisting of
drawings and specifications
setting forth in detail the
requirements for the
construction of the project.
2.Assist the Client in the
preparation of the necessary
bidding information, bidding
forms, the Conditions of the
Contract, and the Form of
Agreement between Client and
Contractor.
3.Advise the Client of any
adjustments to previous
preliminary estimates of
construction cost indicated by
changes in requirement or
general market conditions.
4.Assist the Client with filing
documents required for the
approval of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction
over the project.

Quality Control/Assurance Procedures

Plans are checked for design
conformance at these phases:

1.Schematic
2.Design Development

In addition, California Associates incorporate in a 30%, 60%, and 90% submittal procedure during the construction document phase. The drawings and specifications are distributed to our client and consultants at these increments, as well as to the quality control manager, who serves as a “quality control” set of eyes to perform constructability reviews and an overall plan check.

A perfect set of construction documents is always our goal. Extremely diligent in-house reviews are performed by our quality control specialist, David Doll. With over twenty years experience as an Architect and construction inspector, Mr. Doll is uniquely qualified to review all documents for coordination and constructability. We are determined to provide the tightest and best coordinated set of documents possible, and we demand the same level of diligence from our consultants. Our consultants identified for this project have worked together with us on similar large scale projects and are committed to producing a top-quality set of plans.

Agency Approvals

California Associates work very closely with DSA (Division of the State Architect). With a multitude of projects successfully approved by these agencies and a well established work relationship between our office and agency staff, we are confident in our ability to work as a team with DSA to provide timely approvals for any project. DSA appreciates a “heads up” approach to a project this size. A meeting very early in the process lets them know when the project will be handed to them and allows them to prepare their staff. When an agency gets an early look, they have opportunity to identify areas of concern that can be addressed before the final submittal reaches them. The more we work together from the beginning in the early stages of the project, the more efficient the approval process will be toward the end.

The Construction Administration staff of California Associates works very closely with the District and the Contractor to assure the best possible outcome for the project. As the construction nears completion, we begin the close-out process. Certain close-out documents such as the Certificate of Substantial Completion and Form SSS 6 & SSS 6 A/E, Final Verified Reports are prepared by our administrative staff and circulated for signature; other documents such as Final Lab Affidavits and the Notice of Completion are gathered for inclusion into the final close-out package for DSA. It is very important to us that we close all of our projects in compliance with DSA.