A design is nothing more than a plan. Before constructing a structure, an architect must create a building plan. Architects will sometimes create a cardboard or plastic replica of the structure. The structure is then constructed by a construction firm that adheres to the specifications outlined in the building blueprints. After the building is completed, the replica is destroyed. In order to create a building plan, the designer will first need to determine what kind of project it is. There are two main types of projects: new builds and remodels. New builds are single-family homes, multi-family buildings (such as apartments or condos), and commercial structures such as shops or offices. Remodels involve changing the appearance of an existing building while maintaining its basic structure. This can include making changes to the floor plan or adding rooms. After determining the type of project, the next step for the architect is to study the site where the project is going to be built. The size of the lot will affect how big the house can be. Larger lots can accommodate larger dwellings while smaller plots of land may only allow for a small dwelling. If the site has any special requirements, such as being located in a flood zone or within reach of seismic activity, then these factors should be taken into account by the architect when creating the plan. After the site is studied, the architect will know exactly how much space there is available for the house to grow.