Schematic design: An early look at whether your project works

You’ve identified a potential site for your project. Before you commit to the property — you need to know whether the planned improvements fit. That’s where schematic design comes in.

Schematic design is an important part of the predevelopment process because it creates a visual of how your project goals can be accomplished on the potential site(s) you are considering. It gives you an early look at how your building could function on a particular site and helps identify potential issues before you move further into site acquisition, design, and construction. (Learn why commercial predevelopment services matter.)

At DBS Group, we use schematic design to help you answer an essential question early: Is this the right site and approach for your project?

What is schematic design?

Schematic design is the early stage of design when the basic layout, size, configuration, and function of a project begin to take shape.

It isn’t a finished building design. Instead, it provides enough information to evaluate how well a proposed facility works for your needs and how it fits on the site.

When schematic design is part of predevelopment, you can make better-informed decisions before investing significant time and money in site acquisition, as well as detailed design and engineering.

What goes into schematic design?

While the exact process varies by project, schematic design typically includes several key elements:

Building size and configuration. Early plans help establish the approximate square footage, footprint, shape, and overall configuration needed to meet your operational goals.

Preliminary floor plan development. An initial floor plan shows how your building may be organized, including the general location and relationship of major rooms, departments, work areas, entrances, and other functional areas.

Preliminary site plan development. The site plan considers how the building fits on the property along with features such as access points, parking, circulation, setbacks, and other site conditions.

Site and building functionality. Schematic design helps you evaluate how people, vehicles, products, equipment, or other resources will move through the property and building.

Future expansion opportunities. If growth is part of your long-term plan, schematic design can evaluate whether the site and proposed building layout provide opportunities for future expansion.

Why schematic design matters during predevelopment

Decisions made before site acquisition can significantly affect what happens later.

A property may look suitable until you consider parking, circulation, setbacks, stormwater requirements, access, and your building footprint together. A proposed floor plan may provide enough square footage but create operational inefficiencies. Or a site that works today may leave little room for tomorrow’s growth.

Schematic design can uncover these concerns while you still have options.

It can also provide valuable information for other predevelopment work, including preliminary project budgeting, scheduling, code studies, site evaluation, and financial modeling. Together, these tools give you a more complete picture of project feasibility before you make major commitments.

Start your project with DBS Group

You don’t need to wait until you’re ready for full design and engineering to start working with an integrated design-build services partner.

DBS Group can develop preliminary floor plans and site plans, evaluate future expansion opportunities, and help you determine whether a potential site and building concept align with your goals.

By bringing schematic design into the predevelopment process, you can identify challenges earlier, compare your options, and move forward with a project grounded in better information.