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James Architects (949) 646-8247
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James Architects was founded by James J. Barney, Principal Architect to produce thoughtful, appropriate architectural designs together with complete and accurate construction drawings. To ensure high quality, James maintains control of every facet of every project. When you hire James Architects, your project stays in experienced hands.
James Architects offers complete architectural services to accommodate your every need in the planning, design and construction process from concept to completion whether your project is commercial or residential, large or small. Experienced on both sides of “the counter”, James has guided many projects through the maze of governmental agency requirements for homeowners, developers and national corporations. Whether your project requires extensive special permits, rezoning or a traditional building permit approval, James has the experience and tenacity needed to shepard your project to successful completion.
Your project does not end with permit approval, and James is no stranger to the dust and dirt of the construction site. Construction Observation, Change Order Review, Pay Application Certification, Walk-thru Inspection and Substantial Completion Certification are services offered that protect your interests and ensure that your project is completed to your satisfaction. Don’t go through the construction process without James Architects
at your side.
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James Architects approaches each project as a fresh opportunity. Preconceived notions are set aside to allow your needs and aesthetic desires to provide the direction along the path to a final design concept. The site and existing buildings may provide a starting point for the design process, but it is important to note that design is, in fact, a process.
The design process involves several phases. The first phase, Pre-Design, is a time for discovery. A survey of the site and existing structures is the first step. Although the survey may be an unofficial review completed by James Architects including field measurement and photography, there are times when a licensed Land Surveyor is required. Preliminary discussions and research at your local Planning and Building Department provide insight into site and building restrictions, and may turn up plans from previous construction permits. When plans are available, field measurement of the existing structures is minimized and the cost of the phase is considerably less. Casual interviews with you help to establish parameters for design and define the design problem. Your construction budget is an important piece of information that is needed at this time. The main products of Pre-Design are drawings, photographs and notes regarding the existing site and building conditions. These are necessary to allow for the most economical and correct final design solution.
The Preliminary Design Phase requires actively searching for and forming a final conceptual design. Several sketches of potential solutions and parts of solutions are produced and reviewed during this phase, although you will see only the best possibilities. Meetings with you to allow your review and approval as the design progresses are scheduled as the floor plan and elevations develop. Typically three meetings are required. Together, we will review potential floor plans and your comments will provide direction to determine the final concept. A second meeting will be arranged when corresponding sketches of the exterior, and perhaps interior, elevations have been developed. Again, your comments will provide the direction toward the final solution. During this phase a small study model of the potential design may be constructed. Although the model will not include details, a three-dimensional representation can reveal opportunities that could otherwise be missed, and it may be helpful to accurately communicate complex design solutions. The third scheduled meeting is your opportunity to review and approve the final design concept. Any comments you may have will be incorporated into the design during the next phase. An informal review of the concept with your local Planning and Building Department and/or Homeowners Association may be appropriate at this time.
Once the conceptual design solution has been established, James Architects proceeds into the Design Development Phase. Considerable drawing time will be invested to develop accurate dimensions, accurate locations of doors and windows, the structural system, appropriate decorative details and locations for major mechanical and electrical equipment. Lighting fixtures, specific kitchen and bathroom fixtures, flooring materials, exterior and interior finishes, roofing materials and specialty items are determined with your approval during this phase. The product of the Design Development Phase is a complete set of drawings that exhibit the final design solution in plan, elevation and section. If a Special Permit or your Homeowners Association approval is required for your project, that approval will be obtained during this phase. Additionally, the Design Development Drawings may be provided to various contractors to evaluate the cost of construction prior to proceeding with final Construction Drawings.
Upon securing all necessary approvals of the final design solution, James Architects will begin the Construction Documentation Phase of your project including production of the drawings needed to thoroughly document your project and accommodate construction. During this phase various consultants may be employed to provide engineering and documentation for structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and landscape irrigation systems. The drawings may include specifications for materials and equipment, or a separate Project Manual may be developed to communicate this information to your potential contractors. Small projects will normally not include a Project Manual because the drawings will effectively provide all of the necessary details. When the Construction Documents are completed you will have an additional opportunity to review and approve the final package.
The design process is not truly complete until your project is officially approved during the Construction Permit Approval Phase of your project. Drawings with your approval will be submitted to your local Planning and Building Department by James Architects and typically will require minor changes after the Building Department has reviewed the plans. If any changes requested by the Plan Reviewer substantially affect your approved design, you will be consulted prior to revising the plan. Should we decide that the change is unacceptable, James Architects will appeal the Plan Reviewer’s request as necessary to ensure that your concerns are addressed. The plans will then be resubmitted to the governmental agency for final review and approval.
The Construction Assistance or Construction Administration Phase is typically the last phase of your project. During construction your contractor may request that you make what seem to be numerous decisions that could affect the design of your project. These requests may be based on cost, time or material availability issues and can become both confusing and frustrating. James Architects wants to be available to assist you through this phase and can help to keep the construction process the exciting and fun time it should be. Frequent Construction Observation Visits, Change Order Request Review, Pay Application Review and Approval and Substantial Completion Certification will protect the integrity of your design and allow you to feel confidant that you are receiving the full value and satisfaction you deserve.
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James Architects’ design philosophy is closely tied to the design process. Architectural design is a problem solving activity that starts when a designer first begins to define a problem. A design cannot be a solution without a problem, and the correct solution can only be discovered when the problem is fully understood. In fact, design is a process of revealing, understanding and solving a series of problems. Each solution along the path allows the designer to more clearly understand the next problem and search for possible solutions. The process simply continues until no more problems are revealed.
Of course, there are a myriad of solutions to any given problem and each must be tested for validity as the design proceeds. The tests then are a key to design philosophy and James Architects holds that many concepts brought together form the boundaries and truths that establish the tests. “Design with Nature”, “Design for Economy”, “Form Forces Function”, “Firmitas Utilitas Venustas” and “Ameliorate the Interstices” are markers along the path to valid design solutions. As each solution is determined the next link in the chain is beginning to be formed due to parameters established by the past.
Design should follow the natural order. A timber structure in the middle of a desert, thick walls and small windows in the tropics and flat roofs in the snow belt are simply out of order. The test is clear; the solution is invalid. Nature is a powerful force, yet because nature operates according to a strict set of fixed rules the forces of nature can be applied to your benefit. Valid design solutions respect the rules of nature and employ nature’s power in an effort to achieve economy. Form forces function as space is naturally utilized in the fashion to which it is most economically suited. As with nature, people tend to take the path of least resistance. Correctly designed space will function and be used for its’ intended purpose with ease. It will be neither too large nor too small. It will not demand that you adapt to it, it will accept you as you are.
However, architecture by definition is not engineering. The history of architecture indicates that beyond the physical concerns are emotional needs that too are the charge of the architect. Firmitas Utilitas Venustas: the defining elements of architecture; structurally sound, serving a purpose and delightful, architecture must accommodate the realm of desires both physical and emotional. A structure may be designed to excite, a space may be designed to relax. Form, volume, proportion, materials, lighting, texture, color and ventilation must be controlled and balanced to delight the senses and fulfill the emotions. Whether composed of columns and arches, posts and beams, walls, windows, doors or merely a roof, it is the space defined by the elements that we strive to enhance. Existence can be maintained within the confines of a natural cave, but life becomes living with the art of architecture.
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James J. Barney, Principal Architect · Representative Projects
Residential Projects:
Seaport Condominiums, Vallejo, CA
Eighth Street Condominiums, Buena Park, CA
Greystone Condominiums, Tempe, AZ
Cottonwood Springs Apartments, Mesa, AZ
Suncardo Development Masterplan, Mesa, AZ
Grieshober Residence, McKean, PA
Wilkinson Residence Health Spa, Northeast, PA
Rooney Residence Entertainment Wing, Erie, PA
Barrett Residence, Cowan Heights, CA
Soong Residence 2-Story Addition, Fountain Valley, CA
Dobson Residence Addition Permit Approval, Newport Beach, CA
Gosselin Residence Remodel & Addition, Costa Mesa, CA
Neumann Residence Remodel, Anaheim, CA
Carson Residence Remodel, Laguna Niguel, CA
Commercial Projects:
Walgreens drive-thru Pharmacy, Southern California
Walgreens Drugstore, Southern California
Century Theatres, Sacramento & Folsom, CA
Edwards Theatres, Newport Beach & Irvine, CA
Galaxy 8 Cinemas, Vacaville, CA
Rancho Bernardo Office Building, Rancho Bernardo, CA
Orange Tree Commerce Center, Vacaville, CA
San Luis Obispo Commercial Center, San Luis Obispo, CA
Rancho Mercardo Commercial Center, Scottsdale, AZ
Safeway Shopping Center, Phoenix, AZ
Bashas’ Kyrene Village Shopping Center, Chandler, AZ
Fry’s Shopping Center, Mesa, AZ
The Salon @ Marriott Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, AZ
Lakeview Country Club, Northeast, PA
Unifirst Child Care Center, San Marcos, CA
Ripley’s “Believe it or Not” Museum, Buena Park, CA
Houston’s Restaurant, Palo Alto, CA
Buffalo Ranch Restaurant, Mission Viejo, CA
Red Robin Restaurant, Belleview, Washington
Signal Hill Auto Dealership, Signal Hill, CA
Willingham Auto Dealership, Seaside, CA
Auto Express with Guardian Self Storage, Tempe, AZ
Santa Paula Self Storage, Santa Paula, CA
Figueroa Self Storage, Los Angeles, CA
Chapman Self Storage, Orange, CA
All Aboard Mini Storage, Southern California
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