What one owner considers a great design may not meet your wishes, needs and desires. It is our job to listen to our clients, then to interpret their desires and come up with a workable design solution that meets your needs and expectations. What makes a Great Design? Great design is not a science, but a work of art in progress. A great home design should begin at the street and continue throughout
the floor plan, elevations, landscaping, lighting, material finishes and through every aspect of the home. Great designs should include…
Proper Scale and Proportion
The home should be properly scaled with well-proportioned living areas and details. We give the utmost attention to proper length, width and height ratios as well as space planning and furniture layout to achieve the perfect sized rooms for our clients without making the room feel too small, oversized or uncomfortable. Good traffic patterns
The true measure of a floor plan is only realized as you move throughout the home and the way you move from room to room during your daily life. We strive to keep traffic patterns as compact as possible and design with very little wasted or circulation space these design considerations can easily save you thousands of dollars in construction costs. Good sight lines
Sight lines are what you see from any given point within the home. Good sight lines can often make a smaller home feel larger. We use good sight lines to open our designs up as well as to let light flow throughout the plan which tends to make even a small space feel larger. We strive to keep private areas, private and keep utility rooms, storage closets and bathrooms out of view of public areas like the kitchen, dining or living rooms. Good Rooflines
A roof is a large part of the exterior façade of a home but it does not need to have numerous peaks, valleys and offsets to be beautiful. Too many roof elements will add to the cost and long-term maintenance of the home. They also cause confusion and tend to lead the eye away from important features and details, like the entry of the home. Strong Shadow lines
Artistic consideration should be given to a home’s solar orientation, the way the exterior looks as the sun passes casting an ever-changing shadow on the home throughout the day. We study each exterior elevation and are careful to choose proper materials and material widths in order to achieve strong shadow lines to add that extra punch to a building, whether it is at a doorway, window, porch, or roof overhang. Proper sizing and placement of stucco banding and other elements are crucial parts of a good design and make otherwise bland and ordinary designs interesting and extraordinary. Proper Material Selection
Proper material selection has a lot to do with the way a home feels. We strive to use materials within the client’s budget that produce the required look and feel. For example we may use cheaper crown moldings if the element is attached to a second or third story eve where it is not as visible to the eye, but we choose heavier and more substantial materials at the entrance of a home where your guests can touch and feel the elements. We do not want an important element, such as a column, to feel spongy or cheap at the home’s entry so we would specify solid materials as opposed to an extruded plastic or fiberglass column. In today’s market, many people may choose to have a column faux painted to resemble marble, yet the element fails to be convincing if it looks like marble but it feels cheap or emits a hollow thud sound if it is tapped. We specify the best materials for the environment in which the home will be built. A home built on the coast will endure much more moisture and salt air and thus materials such as stainless or galvanized steel should be used as opposed to standard grade materials. Value Engineering
Value engineering is defined as “a systematic method to improve the “Value” of goods and services by using an examination of function”. We design homes keeping
pre-fabricated material sizes in mind. For example when we design a bedroom, if the client wishes the room to be 12’-4” wide, we encourage the client to consider making the room 12’-0” wide, since carpet is sold in 12’-0” wide rolls. Drywall is sold in 4’x8’ sheets etc. Keeping this in mind we reduce the amount of labor intensive cuts and wasted materials in a home thus giving the client more home for their dollar. We also evaluate structural elements such as floor or ceiling joists, columns and load bearing beams and size them slightly larger if the next size larger element is cheaper to purchase or easier to install etc. We value engineer all our plans to save our clients money without sacrificing quality. Attention to these details is difference in an ordinary house and an extraordinary home! Why should you Choose Murphy Design & Drafting? Experience
I have over thirty years of experience in the architectural, engineering and construction industries and have had studied and worked with some of the best Architects and Architectural firms in the United States designing a wide range of projects from the simplest of renovations to large scale government projects, with construction budgets of well over thirty-million dollars. I have designed hundreds of projects throughout Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri and Arizona. National Certification
Robert Murphy is a C.P.B.D. “Certified Professional Building Designer” certified by the National Council of Building Designer Certification, a national Testing and Accreditation organization whose only goal is to assure public safety and welfare. What does this mean to you? This means that Mr. Murphy has taken an extensive two day, twenty hour examination to test his proficiency in all aspects of building design. The exam includes nine written and two design sections to include, Building materials, Business Administration, History of Architecture, Specifications, Structural Design, Building Codes, Building Systems, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Systems, the preparation of construction documents and other issues which are vital to building design. Very few residential designers ever achieve the status of C.P.B.D., don’t trust your most valuable investment to just anyone, insist that your designer is a C.P.B.D. Attention to Detail
We spend extra time above and beyond that of many of our competitors to insure that all arches, openings, interior elements, fireplaces, plumbing fixtures etc. are properly scaled and located with exact dimensions on our drawings leaving the contractor and their sub-contractors no room for guesswork and interpretation, thus cutting down on job delays resulting from contractors requesting details and information in the field. Delays on the job site cost the contractor time and money, which they often pass on to you as the client. Personal Attention to your project
As a small design firm we accept a limited number of projects each year. So you get a high degree of personal involvement with your project. I know each of my clients and when you call you are assured you will talk to the person responsible for the entire design process, from initial contract through final construction. Your home design is not handed off to a less skilled draftsman and bounced from employee to employee as the office workload changes from day to day. At Murphy Design & Drafting your home is not simply one of many waiting to be cranked out in order to get to the next design fee. Education and Training
I hold a certificate in Classical Architecture and a certificate in Traditional Residential Design by the prestigious Institute of Classical Architecture of New York, NY and have been trained by some of the United States Leading Architects, to include Richard Sammons, Gary L. Brewer of Robert A.M. Stern and Associates and Dr. Richard John who worked for Prince Charles and was the director of Prince Charles Royal Institute of Architecture in London, England. Continuing Education
I average forty hours or more each year of continuing education in the design, construction and real estate trades to stay on top of current building codes, engineering topics, new materials, the latest design trends, life safety issues, hurricane design, and legal changes regarding design, construction and real estate. Award winning Designs
Murphy design has received many honors and awards over the past 30 years including the prestigious Honor Award of Merit given by the Institute of Classical Architecture of New York, for outstanding design of a Single Family Residence. Numerous awards and medals by the State of Missouri’s Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, and several awards by the American Institute of Building Design Florida Society. Knowledge of the Construction and Real Estate Industries
Murphy Design can offer you an insight into much more than good home design. I have been involved in the fields of Architecture, Engineering and Residential design for over thirty years. I have worked in the construction industry for many years and hold a Florida Residential Contractors License, number CRC1329309, and continue to fulfill the required continuing education requirements for this license each year attending well over the required minimum Continuing Education Units. I also hold a Florida Real Estate Sales license, number SL624077 and continue to fulfill the required continuing education requirements for this license each year. A large library of material samples and product manuals
We offer an extensive library of products offered by material manufacturers including, doors, windows, roofing materials, counter top materials, plumbing fixtures, fireplaces and hundreds of other products and can show our clients photographs, specifications, and many times even actual material samples or color selections of the actual finish materials we propose for your project. We also draw inspiration from our extensive library of photographs, architectural books, magazines, and other publications dealing with architectural styles from all over the world. Professional Memberships
American Institute of Building Design® & Florida Residential Designers Association I am a Professional member of the organizations and served as a Senior Director on the Board of Directors from 2003-2005. I have served in the office of Secretary and have also held the office of Treasurer from 2005-2009. I have served as the societies Education Chairman for the past six years. Institute of Classical Architecture I am a Professional member in good standing of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America which allows me to have many invaluable resources and other design contacts available for any design questions dealing with classical and traditional architecture which may arise from time to time. This organization also puts me in touch with some of today’s leading designers in the fields of Classical and Traditional design. National Council of Building Designer Certification I am a professional member in good standing of the National Council of Building Designer Certification, Member number 10-228. I maintain my certification and continuing education requirements and am kept up to date on issues that affect the building and design industries. Building Officials Association of Florida As a member of the Building Officials Association of Florida, I keep abreast of upcoming building code changes and interpretations, which may affect my clients and their home designs as well as topics dealing with public health and safety issues. Code of Ethics
As a member of the American Institute of Building Design I adhere to a strict code of ethics and conduct regarding non-discrimination, fraudulent activities, public awareness and professional competency in the building industry. As an Honorably discharged Veteran of the United States Army National Guard, I take my personal honor and the code of conduct very seriously. Three Dimensional Designs
We can offer you a unique service that many of our competitors DO NOT offer, 3-D design. Imagine being able to walk through your new home before it is ever built. Our 3-D design service offers you the ability to get very specific with your new design, you can actually see what your home looks like inside and out before it is ever built, picking the cabinets, counter top colors, floor finishes, paint colors, door styles and trim etc. In many cases our three dimensional design process gives you a view of your home that is very similar to an actual photograph. The 3-D design process helps not only you, the client, but your contractor as well because it helps show the building contractor exactly what you want, and in turn helps the contractor to estimate the actual cost of construction even closer. Why not just purchase your plans from a builder or developer? Specialization
Building contractors and developers must be licensed in order to work in the State of Florida; they have taken a two-day examination dealing with, accounting, Workman’s Compensation, taxes, and many other aspects of construction. However, there is no section on the examination that deals with engineering or design. Purchasing your plans from a builder or developer is much like asking the dealer who you are planning to purchase a vehicle from to inspect the vehicle; they are looking out for their own interest first and for you second. Residential Designers are specialists dealing in design and construction. We design and prepare the legally binding set of plans and specifications, which instruct your builder exactly how to build your new home or addition. WE REPRESENT YOU, the client, and in many cases act as the middleman between you and your contractor. We look out for YOUR best interest. Custom Design
When you purchase a set of plans from your contractor you are not guaranteed that the house he builds for you will not be repeated throughout your neighborhood. Murphy Design holds a Copyright on each of our designs and will never sell your individual design to others in your neighborhood or community this guarantees you a one of a kind home. A designer’s plans are considered intellectual property by the United States government so we can file for a copyright giving us legal right to sue for damages if someone steals your home plan. One Design Fee, and no mark-ups! When a Building contractor sells you a set of blueprints they often mark up the fee they have paid the designer leaving you paying more for the plans than you would have if you had contracted with the designer on your own. These fees can be further compounded if you request design changes or additions to the contractor’s plans. Personal Attention to your project
When you make design decisions or changes to your plans you can rest assured that you are working with the designer in charge and your thoughts and ideas are not misinterpreted by the builder then relayed to the designer. Good home design is an art and when working with a reputable designer there are often suggestions or thoughts that may arise at designer / client meetings, this can serve as a valuable tool during the design phase of your project. Why not just purchase your plans from a plan book or magazine? Correct Building Codes
In many cases when you purchase a plan from a magazine or other publication you are not sure exactly what part of the country the plan was designed for. Each part of the United States has different building codes and design criteria. Florida’s climate presents designers with some unique challenges including hurricane and high wind design, dealing with salt and corrosive materials in the air near coastal areas, thermal and ultra-violet ray protection and higher insulation requirements just to name a few. Some plans purchased through plan magazines are engineered for areas which require snow or seismic loads and contain additional framing members etc. which end up costing you extra and may overlook Florida’s structural requirements and strenuous building codes. Each of our plans is specifically designed and engineered for the location in which it is intended to be built, so whether you are building on the coastline, on shifting and less stable materials such as clay, or a standard lot, you can rest assured that your home is properly designed. Engineering
We have sophisticated engineering software we use to calculate all the structural loads imposed on your home, whether it is a wind load on a door or window, or a dead load or weight placed on a concrete footing or foundation. We then submit our plans to one of several Florida Licensed professional engineers we partner with in order to have the plans and calculations re-checked and finally signed and sealed. You can rest assured that your plans have gone through a rigorous process of quality control by Murphy Design and Drafting, and then re-checked by an independent engineer who has no direct connection with Murphy Design & Drafting. Additional Cost and Hidden Fees
When you purchase your plans from a plan book or magazine you never know exactly what you are going to get. Will your set of plans include all the plans, sections and details necessary for you to get a permit and build the home? Do the plans include a site plan, foundation plan and details, structural specifications, floor plans, door, window and room finish schedules, door and window installation details, interior elevations, exterior elevations including all notes on trim sizes, chimney details etc., stair details, structural and framing plans and details, wall sections and electrical plans? Many plans purchased through a plan magazine tend to be generic and do not include all of the above items, in fact they rarely, if ever, include a site plan and engineering designs are normally not correct for Florida unless the plan was originally intended to be built in Florida. This means that you will have to pay additional fees to have the plans modified to fit your specific needs. In most cases you will have to buy a release of copyright in order to make any changes to plans purchased through a magazine as well as paying additional engineering and design fees to another designer. All of these issues could easily cost you much more than if you had started from scratch with a complete new design. How we view our drawings…
We view our drawings as a thorough set of construction documents for use in constructing a new home, and a work of art. Attention is given to the plans and details to make them well organized, legible, easy to follow and beautiful. Our Pricing Structure
Competitive Ala-Carte Pricing
We are a full-service residential design firm offering competitive Ala-Carte pricing on all our design services, which means you only pay for the services you feel you need. You may choose from any or all of the following services: feasibility studies, design consultations, study plans, permit only plans, deluxe plans, color renderings, three dimensional design including walk-throughs, photo realistic images, written specifications, contract administration, on-site job inspections and field visits, real estate marketing floor plans and elevations, energy calculations, electrical panel load calculations and as-built construction drawings. Here’s what a few of our past clients had to say about us…
“Not only was the quality and thoroughness of your work excellent, but your open mind and perceptiveness to our ideas and concepts combined with your professionalism made the design all come together perfectly” . . .
- Bob and Phyllis Pascale
“As our home is nearing completion, we would like to express our gratitude for the effort you put forth to insure our new home turned out to be everything that we hoped it would be. With your patience and various suggestions during our many meetings you were able to capture all our visions of what we wanted the end result to be.”. . .
- Larry and Brooke Allen
“Murphy Design and Drafting has provided our company with high quality professional service… The plans passed right through the building department. The building official even positively commented on the completeness and quality of the plans. Murphy’s technical knowledge and understanding of the complete building process is excellent and we will certainly continue to work with Murphy Design and Drafting and would recommend their services to anyone.”
- Leor Sptaru, Leveline Construction, Inc.
“Working with Robert is a pleasure. He is creative, competent and knowledgeable in all phases of design and construction. We are fortunate to have found Robert and will welcome his expertise on future projects. We are confident that clients of Murphy Design and Drafting will be pleased with a successful outcome to their design projects.”
- Michael and Paula Berry
How to Contact us…
Our Mailing Address:
Murphy Design & Drafting
318 Louise Drive
Sikeston, MO 63801
Office Telephone:
727-741-3013
Email:
[email protected] or [email protected]
Additional Information and resources on the web:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Murphy_design
Simply join the free yahoo group to see photos, examples of work, letters of
recommendation and other resources for Murphy Design & Drafting. Thank you for your time and interest in Robert Murphy and Murphy Design and Drafting. We welcome the opportunity to sit down with you to discuss your upcoming project and sincerely hope you will choose our firm for all your current and future design needs and allow us to handle the design of one of your most valuable assets, to make your next home, the home of your dreams for you and your family! Sincerely,
Robert A. Murphy
Owner, Murphy Design & Drafting
