Systems for Architects
Architectural firms generate revenue through design fees, project management, and construction administration services. Profit often leaks during long lead-generation cycles, unbilled design revisions, and the coordination gaps between schematic design and construction documents.
Professional Services
Also for: Architects
How the business actually works
Inquiry
A prospective client reaches out regarding a new build or major renovation project.
Feasibility
Preliminary site analysis and zoning research to determine project viability.
Proposal
Drafting the professional services agreement and defining the scope of work.
Schematic Design
Developing initial concepts, sketches, and spatial relationships for client review.
Design Development
Refining the design and selecting materials, finishes, and structural systems.
Construction Docs
Producing detailed drawings and specifications for permitting and bidding.
Administration
Reviewing submittals, answering RFIs, and conducting site visits during construction.
Closeout
Final walkthrough, punch list completion, and issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
Where it leaks
Untracked design revisions and additional client requests often lead to unbilled hours. Without a systematic way to document and bill for changes, firm profitability diminishes during the design development phase.
High-value projects have long gestation periods, and busy principals often fail to follow up with prospective clients. This leads to a thin pipeline when current projects move into the slower construction administration phase.
Coordination with structural engineers and MEP consultants is frequently fragmented across emails and disparate files. Information gaps cause errors that manifest as costly change orders during construction.
During construction, contractors require rapid responses to Requests for Information to stay on schedule. Delays in responding to these queries can lead to project friction and potential liability for the firm.
Waiting for client approvals on finishes or floor plans creates schedule drift. Without automated reminders, projects stall, delaying the milestone payments tied to specific design phases.
What LATTICE can build
Centralized hubs where clients can view renderings, sign off on schematic designs, and access project timelines.
Workflows that log contractor inquiries and ensure the design team meets response deadlines to keep the site active.
Automated notifications for sub-consultants when new architectural backgrounds are ready for their engineering updates.
Systematic reminders for clients to return signed contracts, site surveys, or selection sheets to prevent project delays.
Automated requests sent upon project closeout to capture high-quality feedback and portfolio referrals.
Mobile-optimized forms for principals to document site observations and field reports instantly during construction administration.
Intelligent intake forms that qualify leads based on budget, location, and project type before a principal spends time on a consultation.
Example systems
Tell us what's slowing the business down. LATTICE can build around the way your business operates.
The system organizes communication and tasks by project stage, such as Schematic Design or Construction Documents. This ensures that client expectations and billing milestones are clearly aligned with the actual work being performed.
Yes, you can create specific workflows that include external consultants. This ensures that structural or MEP engineers receive updates simultaneously, reducing the risk of using outdated architectural drawings.
Automation handles the repetitive parts of the practice, like sending reminders for unpaid invoices or following up on unsigned contracts. This allows you to focus your time on design and high-level project strategy.
We build custom intake forms that ask the right questions about budget and timeline upfront. This filters out tire-kickers and ensures you only spend your time meeting with serious, qualified prospects.
No, this system handles the business and communication layers of your firm. It manages the client relationship, project milestones, and administrative tasks that happen around your design work.