Understanding the Design Process: 1st Steps

Whether you’ve never tackled a remodeling project before or you’re a seasoned home-improvement pro, the design process can seem daunting at times. Many firms have their own way of doing things and sometimes these methods are a bit convoluted or mysterious.

In this series, we’ll take you on a step-by-step tour through the Arciform design process so that you know what to expect when planning a home improvement project. As you follow along with this 1928 English cottage remodel, you will learn what to expect, how we work and why we do what we do!

Step 1: Measuring the Site and Recording Exiting Conditions

After the Initial Design Consultation, Senior Designer Kristyn Bester and the Arciform design team visited the home to measure the existing floor plan and site footprint of this charming cottage. The goal of the site measure is to document every single detail down to the nitty-gritty. We document the existing materials, millwork profiles, door and window styles, etc – and occasionally get into your dusty crawlspaces – all in an effort to mitigate any issues with the unforeseen during the construction phase.

The client had multiple phases in mind for this cottage project, making a whole-house site measure the best solution. A whole-house site measure allows the design team to understand how all floors of a home are being affected when designing; it also helps to smooth the transition between phases and, of course, you will have a set of current and accurate plans for your house!

Step 2: Turning the Measurements and Documentations into a Drawing

After measuring the space and documenting the details, we bring all of the information back to the office to draw up in our CAD software. This “as built” drawing then serves as a canvas for the design. Our computer program also creates a 3D model which lends the opportunity to generate different types of drawings & renderings, making it easy for the designer and client to visualize an accurate depiction of the possibilities.

Above is the “as built” floor plan for our example cottage, which gives a good idea of the kind of information you can expect to find on this plan. Different symbols & tags help the designers easily identify what is going on in the space. For example, the red symbols & lines represent mechanical, electrical & plumbing elements; the blue hatching means that there are no changes being made to the space.

Stay tuned for the next installment on our journey through the design process, outlining the “conceptual design” phase of this Laurelhurst home remodel.

-Tara Keefner, co-author

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8 Steps to a Stunning Attic Remodel: A Portland Homeowner's Guide

By Anne De Wolf • July 15, 2026

For many Portland homeowners, the attic is full of potential. It might become a primary suite, a quiet home office, a guest retreat, a playroom, or simply the extra space your family has been wishing for. Whatever you envision, transforming an unfinished attic into comfortable living space takes thoughtful planning, creative problem-solving, and a clear understanding of how older homes are built. At Arciform, an attic remodel often starts before we even step through the front door. As we approach your home, we're already noticing details that help us understand what's possible. We look at the roofline, the pitch of the roof, the condition of the structure, and whether the property sits within a historic district. These clues help us anticipate opportunities and challenges before we ever climb the attic stairs. Once we're inside, the real exploration begins. Every attic is different. Some offer generous headroom and straightforward access. Others require creative solutions to unlock their potential. The process always starts with understanding the existing structure, identifying constraints, and finding opportunities to create a space that feels both comfortable and connected to the rest of the home. When we evaluate an attic for conversion, we move through a series of steps that help us understand what's possible. Here's a look at the process we follow when planning an attic remodel in one of Portland's vintage homes.