Lubke Design Center
Introducing Lubke Design Center – where your dream home comes to life! Our team of Interior Architects, Engineers, Designers, and Coordinators offers a curated design experience tailored to your needs. We create personalized designs, considering your lifestyle and the unique coastal environment. Get started on crafting your perfect home today!
Working with the LUBKE Design Center
Step 1
Introduction Meeting
Introduction Meeting
During the Introduction Meeting, our team gets to know you and will begin to understand the vision you have for your custom home.
Before the meeting, we will ask that you complete a brief questionnaire to help us get to know you.
We ask questions like: How do you intend to live in the home? What features are most important to you and your family? What are your hobbies and interests? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? And, what size would you like your home to be?
The Introduction Meeting is the time to bring your ideas to the table. Reference materials are always appreciated to help us learn more about your preferences. We love to see the inspiration that is driving your vision.
To be as accessible as possible to our potential clients, we can complete this meeting in-person or online. We utilize technology to stay connected with our clients throughout the design process.
Before we proceed to the Conceptual Design Phase, we will need access to your property and a site survey. Once the Design Agreement has been executed, our team will begin the custom home design process!
Step 2
Conceptual Design
The Conceptual Design consists of simple diagrams to convey the basic layout of your custom home. During this phase, we address your needs, and the needs of the environment (along with local regulations). This is when the flow of the space begins to take shape.
Additionally, you will begin to provide input on the finish level for cabinets, appliances, flooring, tile, and plumbing fixtures. Prior to the Schematic Design Phase, we will provide a “Box Drawing” of the projected Floor Plan. This step will ensure all the requested spaces have been included in the design before we elaborate on interior and exterior features.
Step 3
Schematic Design
During the Schematic Design Phase, our team digs deeper into your vision. We also utilize our knowledge of the environment to achieve a design that meets the federal, state, and local requirements.
We implement key features to help you obtain the best insurance rates. We design roof systems with secondary water barriers, which specify the strongest roof deck attachment, and ensure the roof is secured from the truss to the piling. Additionally, the exterior walls on each floor are designed with masonry construction.
By now, you will have approved the layout of the home. We will continue to shape the form of your home as we work to fine-tune the floor plans. Room sizes will be defined, and the locations of utilities and amenities will be noted. At this time, we will discuss the placement and orientation of the home.
You will also provide feedback on the size and location of each space, inside and out, identifying exterior features like balconies, porches, pools, landscaping, stairs, and railings.
Our team will explore design style options based on your aesthetic preferences. You will be provided with a series of rough sketches to show the general shape and size of the project, arrangement on the site, exterior design, and layout of rooms.
Step 4
Design Development
As we move through the Design Development Phase, we take the feedback provided in the Schematic Design Phase to further develop the design concepts. This is the longest phase of the process.
We use 3D Models to preview the final spatial layout of the home. This includes the exterior shell with windows and doors, and the floorplan with room flow and functionality.
With this realistic perspective, we address any design changes you would like to see as we complete the Design Development Phase. We will also provide the exterior elevations and a detailed rendering of your home.
Lastly, you will formally approve the plan. This step concludes the homeowner design revisions, and the team will finalize technical and engineering details in the next phase.
Step 5
Construction Documents
Once you have approved the design, we take everything we have created, discussed, and refined, and turn them into construction documents that will be used to build the home. The level of detail during this phase is critical to ensure the home is built as the design intends.
Specializing in waterfront homes, we take additional measures to ensure your home is built beyond the minimum code requirements. From our piling foundations to complete concrete masonry construction on all levels, your home will be prepared to weather the storm.
The site plan will include your sea wall location and height, home elevation, pool location, elevations of the adjacent properties, and any site-specific drainage requirements.
Utilizing the geotechnical report, we determine the appropriate piling depth to ensure a strong foundation. With the additional weight of an all-masonry and concrete home, our engineers use a top-down approach from the roof to the piling foundation, considering all the weight in between to ensure all loads are accounted for.
Based on the orientation, insulation, and amount of glass used throughout the home, a home-specific energy calculation will be engineered to provide guidance on selecting the most energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and H.V.A.C system.
During this phase, we value your patience as our team scans every inch of the home design with meticulous detail. Because of the large amount of information to look over, this phase can often become time-consuming as well. We are just as excited about your new home as you are, but please hold tight as we finalize details that will make all the difference!
Step 6
Budget
The construction documents are now used to obtain pricing and permits for your home.
Your budget is broken down to the most meticulous detail, accounting for every concrete block and piece of steel needed to build your home.
We explore engineering opportunities to maximize value, efficiency, and potential hurdles that may be encountered during your build. This includes communicating with our trade partners, engineers, and city officials to discuss all possibilities.
We work with you and your bank to facilitate documentation, appraisal, and any insurance needs.
Before you start to build, our Estimating Department will provide an all-inclusive budget based on your plans, specifications, and selections. We then meet with you to review the budget in detail to ensure transparency.
Step 7
Construction Administration
Our team has valuable experience in the Construction field and will work on your behalf to ensure that the vision of your design is adhered to.
The design team will attend regular site visits to check in with the build team. We aim to address any concerns as they arise and will issue additional documents or drawings as needed to carry out the ideal build of your design.
It is not uncommon to experience issues during the build process. Fear not! We will be there to navigate a proactive approach though collaboration with our team, the builders, and your family.
Working with Gulf Design Studio, you get a team with great depth in all aspects of design and construction. Our Design Team provides not only designs, but the expertise needed to bring your vision to life.
We are committed to designing a home you will enjoy for years to come!
