The Schematic Design (SD) phase is the earliest formal design stage in the architectural project lifecycle. During this phase, architects and design teams establish the basic form, function, and spatial organization of the building, often using conceptual diagrams, rough floor plans, and early massing models.
The goal is to translate the project brief and performance goals into a clear architectural concept, including:
Deliverables at this stage are not final but must communicate intent clearly to stakeholders for approval.
The SD phase lays the conceptual foundation for every decision that follows. It aligns clients, consultants, and internal teams on:
A well-executed SD phase reduces redesign later, supports clearer development in DD and CD phases, and gives stakeholders confidence before investing in full documentation.
In a multifamily housing project on a constrained urban site, the design team used the SD phase to explore three massing strategies that balanced daylight, unit count, and fire separation. Early modeling helped test building form and optimize site access, while quick sketches and annotated plans clarified unit stacking, core efficiency, and structural spans.
By the end of SD, the client approved a preferred option that integrated sustainability goals and consultant input, making the Design Development phase more focused and reducing late-stage scope changes.
This is the “rough draft” of the building—where form, space, and big ideas take shape. It’s where the team agrees on the story before writing the full book.
While D.TO shines during later phases, its benefits begin as early as Schematic Design. By encouraging early logic structuring of façade zones, transition types, and assembly planning, D.TO supports design teams in preparing smarter models from the outset.
This groundwork makes downstream detailing during DD and CD more consistent and efficient, reducing the risk of overlooked conditions and saving time across the entire documentation process.
Discover how D.TO enhances your daily design workflows on D.TO’s key features page, or schedule a demo to explore them in more detail!!
