What stage involves developing diagrams that progress into drawings resembling actual plans?

The correct choice is the stage known as Schematic Design, which is a critical early phase in the design process. During this stage, designers take initial concepts and ideas to create diagrams representing the functional layout of a project. These diagrams are crucial as they help outline the relationships between spaces, circulation paths, and overall spatial organization.

Schematic Design emphasizes visualizing the project and begins to lay the foundation for more detailed work. This stage often incorporates preliminary sketches, but key features include the development of diagrams that progress into more refined drawings that start to resemble the actual plans. This transitional phase helps stakeholders visualize what the project will entail, making it easier to gather feedback and make critical decisions moving forward.

As design work advances into other stages, such as Design Development, the plans become increasingly detailed and specific, including materials, structural elements, and systems integration. However, it is in the Schematic Design phase where the foundational visual groundwork is established.