New Year — New Underwear
underwear. This year i bought new underwear. I know what you’re thinking “too much information” and “why do we care that an architect bought new underwear?”. A select few of you may even wonder what kind of underwear but this isn’t that kind of blog. read more →
The Agent – Value Beyond Construction
I often wonder if my architecture work matters. So much of what an architect does suffers mistranslation and loses design intent. By the time an idea cycles through construction, numerous people guess what it should be rather than clarify what it is. Unless a client hires the architect to monitor construction there’s no link between the design inspiration and the finished construction. One in 12 clients hires me to observe construction because they don’t understand the value. This story reveals how the “one” recognized an architect’s value beyond construction. read more →
The Multi-Client — Is Your Architect Faithful?
You did it! You found your architect and (s)he is all yours. Does hiring your architect and paying your initial deposit ensure a faithful exchange or does your architect have competing interests? Once you hire the architect, (s)he immediately earns four clients and accepts obligations that extend beyond your desires. Is this a conflict of interest? Is your architect loyal? Since you paid the architect, (s)he should be working for you, but also works for these 3rd party tag-a-longs; the State, the Code and the Contractor. read more →
Seal of Approval
You probably think of architects as creative types. You see them as die-hard professionals constantly redefining normal, pushing borders and thinking innovative, but you may not realize architects have to follow certain practice rules that unlicensed professionals may not. Have you ever seen an unfinished construction document labeled with a disclaimer “not for construction”. Did you wonder if the architect was trying to avoid responsibility or preserve a copyright? Actually your architect is accepting the responsibility required of ethical design professionals — protecting you! read more →
You Need an Architect When…
I’ve heard every raging battle about whether you need an architect or a designer. An architect is more experienced, but a designer costs less. An architect sees the big picture, but a designer has real-world experience. An architect organizes multiple design disciplines, but a designer is fast. An architect is busy, but a designer is easier to find. An architect is creative, but a designer is practical. And the list continues endlessly, but I say “Stop the madness”. Quite simply, you have to pick the right professional or designer for your specific project. It’s deciding who or what you want, but sometimes the law requires an architect for projects of a certain size or scope and you need to know which ones to keep yourself safe and the designer out of trouble. read more →
What are we paying for?
What are we paying for? You’re paying for your architect’s time, advice and expertise. Most people think they are buying documents, but the documents are the tools your architect uses to communicate your expectations to your contractor and what you’re really paying for is what it takes to put them together. I can assemble a.. read more →
What Architects Do — Services Rundown
Architects design living solutions. That means we help you identify what you need to live comfortably and create a place to do it that you can afford. All architects offer this service although the way they describe it differs.These are services clients request and their perceptions of it. read more →
Architect or Aspirin? — Common Design Headaches
I love what I do — designing personalized homes. It’s a daunting but fulfilling challenge to help families design unique living spaces. You love what I do too and that’s why I see an increasing number of your plans during owner-architect interviews. You share hand sketches, grid paper layouts, magazine overlays, photographs and computer renditions. Admit it, being your own designer is sexy and you want to say, “I did it!”, but despite how inspiring and creative your plans are, they often lack design coherence and include expensive mistakes. Your sketches, layouts, overlays and programs are good ways to start, but they are a poor way to finish a design unless you have the insight and skills to make a design work. To all you design cavaliers who want to try their hand at home design, I appreciate your effort and ingenuity, but please avoid these common design headaches. read more →
