Bridging the Gap Between Design and Construction Part 1

Too often, early-career architects and design professionals spend most of their time in studios—creating digital models, crafting 3D renderings, and perfecting plans—without ever stepping onto a construction site. This series aims to change that, documenting the real, hands-on process of turning drawings into built reality. In this video, we focus on the foundation-building phase, capturing each milestone to highlight the collaborative efforts that bring architectural designs to life.

For early-career architects, being on-site is more than just an opportunity to observe—it’s a vital feedback loop. By experiencing the construction process firsthand, you can see how your design choices translate into built form. This feedback helps refine your construction documents and details, allowing you to design not just the shape of a building but to better understand the design journey as a process that unfolds over time.

Foundation Building Process

01 - Visiting the Site at Lunch to Minimize Work Disruption
We stopped by during lunch hours to avoid interfering with the construction crew’s workflow. Observing progress without interrupting their rhythm is a cornerstone of respectful collaboration.

02 - Excavation, Soil Removal, and Formwork for Slab-on-Grade Foundation
Excavation begins with clearing the site, removing soil, and creating the formwork for the slab-on-grade foundation. A stable, well-prepared foundation is key to ensuring the building’s long-term performance.

03 - Obtain Offset Survey and Stake Corners of Building
An offset survey was conducted to ensure precision. Corners of the building were staked to align the foundation with the architectural design—a critical step in preventing compounding errors that could lead to cost overruns and schedule delays.

Pro Tip 1: Offset staking is a “soft” cost that owners need to plan for as part of their budget. For architects, participating in this process builds an understanding of how precision at this stage impacts later phases.

Pro Tip 2: When building an ADU where the footprint is often located along side yard and rear yard setbacks, there may be overhead powerlines nearby. Having a proper survey minimizes risk for the owner from potential problems with building inspectors or neighbors down the road.

04 - Dig Trenches for Footings and Haul Away Soil
Trenches for the footings were dug to specified depths and widths. Excess soil was hauled away to maintain a clean and functional site.

05 - Make Sure to Check Formwork Dimensions On-Site
Formwork dimensions were checked on-site to verify alignment with the design. Early confirmation of dimensions avoids unnecessary rework and ensures the project stays on schedule.

Pro Tip: Be proactive—trust but verify. Taking the extra effort to confirm alignment now prevents costly corrections later. This practice sharpens an architect’s attention to detail for future construction documents.

06 - Dumpster, Haul Soil Away from Site

A dedicated dumpster was brought in to manage soil and debris removal, maintaining an organized and safe construction site.

07 - Awaiting Demo Permit for Garage (Which We Received Later in the Day)
The contractor partially demolished the garage to maintain progress. Once the permit was issued, the remaining demolition was completed without delays.

Pro Tip: When permitting ADUs in Los Angeles, the demolition and building permits are typically approved together in plan check. Always confirm this to avoid delays.

08 - The Excavated Trenches Will Act as the Formwork for Concrete Footings
Excavated trenches served as natural formwork for the footings, reducing the need for additional materials. Soil testing provided confidence in the foundation’s stability, ensuring it could support the building’s load.

• RR (Re-Fill and Re-Compaction): During this step, any loose or unstable soil encountered was addressed by removing and recompacting it to ensure proper density and stability. This process is critical to prevent future settling issues.

09 - Foundation Design, Goes Hand in Hand with Soil Bearing Capacity
Foundation design relies on the soil’s ability to bear loads. Ensuring the soil is stable at this phase is critical to prevent issues with settling or cracking in the future.

• During this step, a manual soil probe was used to assess the quality of the existing soil. This tool allowed the contractor to check compaction levels and determine whether the soil could adequately support the foundation.

• The tactile nature of a manual soil probe provides immediate feedback, allowing teams to address any weak areas before moving forward. For architects, understanding how this tool works adds value when collaborating with contractors and engineers.

10 - Compactor, Hardens the Soil Underneath the Trench
A compactor was used to stabilize the soil under the trench, ensuring the foundation has a consistent, reliable base. Not rushing this step is critical, as the compacted soil base gives the soil the capacity to resist the weight of the foundation and the building resting on it.

11-12 - When Detailing a Home, We Often Think About Materials and Methods to Minimize the Possibility for Schedule Delays or Cost Overruns
Even at this early stage, we consider materials and construction methods to minimize potential schedule delays or cost overruns. Thoughtful planning sets the tone for a smoother project.

13 - Foundation, Compacting the Soil Underneath the Trench
The compactor hardened the soil beneath the trench, preparing it to support the concrete footings and the structure above. Skipping or rushing this process jeopardizes the entire build.

14 - Equipment, Soil Probe
A soil probe was used to test the compaction and density of the soil. These measurements help ensure the soil meets the required load-bearing capacity, reinforcing confidence in the foundation’s durability.


Upcoming Steps (Have Not Occurred Yet)

15 - Next Step, Demolish Existing Garage to Make Way
In the next phase, the remaining portion of the garage will be demolished to clear space for the new structure.

16 - Install Steel Rebar Cage Inside Excavated Trench
Rebar cages will be installed within the trenches, providing the tensile strength necessary for reinforced concrete footings.

17 - Finish Building the Formwork That Shapes the Perimeter of the Building
The final step in this phase will involve completing the perimeter formwork to shape the foundation and prepare for the concrete pour.

Final Thoughts
Building a foundation is about more than just pouring concrete—it’s about careful planning, teamwork, and responding to challenges as they arise. For architects and designers, on-site experiences provide invaluable feedback that strengthens your ability to create accurate construction documents, improve detailing, and understand the unfolding process of design and construction.

This concludes Part 1 of our foundation series. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll cover vapor membranes, rebar placement, plumbing, and preparing for the concrete pour.

Terminology

• Foundation: The base of a structure that transfers loads to the ground.

• Footing: A component of the foundation that spreads the building’s load over a larger area.

• Formwork: Temporary molds used to hold concrete in place while it sets.

• Kickers: Small braces used to stabilize and align formwork.

• Rebar: Steel bars embedded in concrete to provide tensile strength.

• Undisturbed Soil: Natural soil that has not been moved or disturbed, providing optimal stability.

• RR (Re-Fill and Re-Compaction): The process of replacing and compacting soil when loose or unstable soil is found.

• Offset Staking: The process of marking precise reference points for a building’s foundation.

• Compactor: A machine used to compress soil to improve its load-bearing capacity.

• Soil Probe: A tool used to measure soil density and compaction levels.

• Vapor Membrane: A layer installed under a slab to prevent moisture intrusion into the foundation.

• String Lines: Tightly pulled strings used between corners of formwork to verify layout alignment with survey data.
  
  General Contractor: Barry Paster - Archwood Builders & Development, Inc.