A design onSite consultation is a fast and easy way to bring the services of an architect to your home with a cost effective approach utilizing 2D and 3D computer technology to solve your design dilemma.  design onSite is an interactive design consultation between you and a licensed architect, developed to start your project off right.

Depending on the size and complexity of your project, the consultation typically consists a 2 to 4 hour meeting at your home, site, or in our studio, employing a combination of hand sketching and computer work, developing the design right before your eyes.

With your direct input, changes are made as you request them, avoiding delays and resulting in a final design that meets your goals and requirements.  Ideal for Additions and Renovations, Kitchens and Baths, and New Homes, you can use the consultation to start gathering pricing information before you commit to developing a full set of architectural drawings that may not meet your budget.

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Green Design & Energy Efficiency

Did you know that 90% of the decisions that make a home green are done in the first 10% of the design process? 

With fuel costs continuing to rise, the value of an energy efficient home has never been greater.  We can help maximize the efficiency of your home through numerous energy saving strategies from overall design to material specification.  Through advanced framing techniques, airtight design, proper site orientation, and selection of fixtures and materials, we can minimize the impact on the environment without sacrificing the overall aesthetic beauty and details of your home.

von Ahn Design, LLC has been incorporating advanced energy efficient features in our designs since our inception.  As a Certified Green Professional, and the only licensed residential architect in the Green Building Council of Greater Columbia, our experience in residential green building design, techniques and products is unmatched in the Midlands.

Universal Design / Aging in Place

Universal Design, also known as "Aging in Place" or "Barrier Free Design", accommodates people of all ages, regardless of ability.  Some of the underlining principles of Universal Design include the elimination of physical barriers for those with disabilities, designs that can be adapted to the users needs, incorporation of fixtures and selections that are more ergonomical and lifespan designs that plan ahead for some of life's uncertainties.

Emphasizing comfort and safety, Universal Design is gaining popularity as people realize that some thoughtful planning up front can allow them a greater chance of dealing with life's uncertainties.

Pre Design

Too often the programming and site analysis stages are overlooked, but they are probably the most valuable time you will spend with us.  By analyzing your wants, needs and living habits, we can create a program that maximizes the space, while utilizing the unique characteristics of your site.

Programming   Programming is a critical starting point for the design of your home.  A thorough program analysis can help determine space requirements and examine ways to maximize usable space.  By analyzing your wants and needs and examining you current living habits, we can provide a design that accommodates you and your family for many years.

Site Analysis   A thorough site analysis allows us to design your home with the site in mind, maximizing any views or special characteristics of the site.

Spatial Efficiency

Programming allows us to develop a home to fit your needs – bigger is not always better, so we strive for maximum space efficiency.  We firmly believe that a well planned home based on your needs is much better than an oversized house that lacks character and sense of scale.  Creating spaces to serve multiple functions can increase the usable space of the home without increasing the overall square footage.

Alternative Construction

While engineered beams and joists are becoming more popular, there are more and more options regarding the construction of your home.  Whether you are interested in alternative methods of construction (wall panels, straw bale, sips, etc.) or just innovative use of common materials, we can help educate you on these technologies and the practicality of implementing these methods into your design.

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Home plans can be hard to understand as two dimensional drawings of plans and elevations, and this can lead to misunderstandings about what your interior and exterior spaces will look like.  We can help you visualize the design through rough sketches and computer renderings, as well as 3D computer imagery and modeling.  We create and design your home in 3D, allowing you to see what your home will look like before physical construction begins.  This allows the client to completely visualize their home before the first mound of dirt is moved.

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