You know what you want to develop. Now the architecture must define how the project will function on the property.
Corbán’s architectural design service develops the spaces, circulation, building envelope, openings, material criteria, relationship with the terrain and relevant passive design decisions for your project.
Before work begins, your proposal states the scope, deliverables, exclusions, responsibilities, review points, fee, schedule and recommended next stage.
It is intended primarily for custom homes, vacation residences, rental villas and selected boutique projects with a defined use and direction.
THE SERVICE
Know What You Are Hiring Before Design Begins
Architectural Design turns a defined brief, initial concept or preliminary direction into developed architecture. It resolves spaces, circulation, envelope, openings, site response and the decisions needed before engineering and construction preparation.
You are commissioning a defined professional scope—not an open-ended promise. The proposal establishes what Corbán will develop, what you will receive and what remains outside the service.
Corbán can support later stages, but you do not need to contract the full project cycle at once.
THIS SERVICE IS USALLY APPROPRIATE WHEN
You already own or have selected the property.
You have a defined list of requirements, an initial concept or a preliminary project direction.
You want architecture as a clearly defined service before deciding how to contract engineering and later stages.
You understand the intended use of the project.
You are ready to develop the spaces, circulation, form, envelope and relationship with the site.
You want to understand what is included before committing to a broader design package.
KEY BENEFITS
Know the scope, deliverables and exclusions before work begins.
Develop site- and climate-responsive architecture around the intended use.
Resolve key design decisions while preserving a clear route to later stages.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
A developed architectural proposal
The drawings and documents identified in your proposal
Defined spatial, circulation, envelope and opening decisions
Site, material and passive design criteria at the agreed level
A record of inclusions, exclusions and pending information
A recommendation for the next project stage
WHAT IT INCLUDES
Service at a Glance
A structured service that develops a defined project direction into architecture responsive to the property, intended use and agreed requirements.
What's Included
Architectural development
Organization and relationship of spaces
Circulation, access and movement
Building form and envelope
Openings and interior–exterior transitions
Material criteria at the agreed level
Relationship with the terrain
Orientation and passive design criteria
Natural ventilation and daylight considerations
Documentation expressly identified in the proposal
What's Not Included
Structural, mechanical, electrical or other engineering
Legal, surveying, environmental, geotechnical or specialist studies
Detailed construction budget or schedule
Contractor search, invitations or proposal comparison
Permit submission, processing or approval
Interior design, furniture or equipment selection
Landscape design or master planning
Construction execution or management
BIM, renderings or visualization not expressly listed
Where This Service Fits
1
Advisory & Feasibility
Clarify whether the property and project are ready to advance.
3
Architectural Design
Develop spaces, circulation, envelope, openings, materials and passive criteria.
5
Pre-Construction Decisions
Prepare for budgeting, scheduling and contractor comparison.
Architectural Design develops a selected direction into clearly defined architecture. It can follow Preliminary Design, begin from an adequately developed brief or follow an assessment that identifies substantial redesign.
2
Preliminary Design
Explore the concept, layout, form and initial site relationship.
4
Engineering & Coordination
Develop and coordinate the required technical disciplines.
6
Owner-Side Construction Support
Maintain owner-side visibility during construction.
What We Need From You
SHARE THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, SUCH AS:
Property location and status
Intended use and approximate area
Required spaces and functional priorities
Survey, site plan or property information, if available
Existing concepts, designs or drawings
Reference images
Known site conditions or restrictions
Target investment range, if available
Current project stage
Whether you are in Costa Rica or abroad
Topographical, geotechnical or other specialist information may be required. You do not need every item initially; Corbán will identify what is needed to define the scope.
BEST FOR
Residential and Selected Boutique Projects
Single-family home
Residential architectural design and custom home architecture for defined primary homes, vacation residences and rental villas.
Tourism project
Lodges and small hospitality projects connecting guest experience, operations, climate and site.
Commercial or Mixed-Use
Defined projects needing functional planning, circulation, site response and documentation.
RESULTS
A developed architectural direction you can understand, review and use to decide how to continue—without confusing design with engineering, permitting or construction.
WHAT TO CONFIRM BEFORE HIRING
We Answer Your Questions
How Many Design Reviews Are Included?
The proposal defines review points and included changes. Additional revisions require an agreed scope adjustment.
Is This the Right Service If I Only Have a General Idea?
Usually not. Start with Preliminary Design when the concept, layout and direction still need exploration.
Can Corbán Work With Plans Prepared Abroad or by Another Professional?
Yes. Design Adaptation for Costa Rica reviews an existing design against the site, climate, materials, systems, construction criteria and applicable local requirements. Substantial redesign becomes Architectural Design.
Can the Service Be Managed Remotely?
Selected reviews, decisions and document exchanges can be digital. The proposal identifies required site work, local information or specialists.
Does Corbán Build the Project?
No. The owner selects and hires the contractor performing the work. Corbán can later support contractor comparison and owner-side construction management under a separate scope.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN?
Keep Exploring
Engineering and Interdisciplinary Coordination
The required technical disciplines can be coordinated with the approved architecture.
Pre-Construction Decisions
Once sufficiently developed, Corbán can support budgeting, scheduling, contractor invitations, proposal comparison and selection decisions.
Owner-Side Construction Support
After the owner hires a contractor, Corbán can continue through Owner’s Representation or an owner-side construction package.