Design Benefits

Space Planning + Efficiency

A good architect can lay out your spaces in an efficient and practical way. Based on your needs and wants, we make sure spaces are appropriately sized, that they are adjacent to other specific spaces, and that they work well to suit your needs. In addition, an architect can create multi-functional spaces where different activities can be performed in the same area. This creates a more efficient and compact floor plan. We’re also good at working with you to create a floor plan that just makes sense and is perfect for you, your family, and your lifestyle.

Functionality + Future Flexibility

A good architect will design spaces to suit specific activities and specific user groups. Many people are interested in creating age-in-place spaces so that they can enjoy spaces now and as they age. An architect can account for the changing needs of the users (clearances, mounting heights, etc). Also, an architect can address the specific needs of people with disabilities or young children.

Creativity + Problem-Solving

Architects are creative problem solvers at heart. An architect’s creative input can elevate your design from just OK to something really special. Cost implications of design features that are incorporated early in the design phase may not be great. In fact, some design features add no additional cost, they just look and function better.

A good architect can see potential obstacles or challenges in your project. Ones that you never anticipated. With this insight, you can plan early for mitigating those issues. Oftentimes, architects come up with creative solutions that you may never have thought of.

Aesthetic Style + Character

The design aesthetic of a project is probably the most obvious area in which an architect makes a unique and valuable contribution. We can help create a visually appealing space – one with a character and style that suits your tastes and preferences.

Building + Construction Knowledge Benefits

Code Compliance + Jurisdiction Approvals

An architect has intimate knowledge of working with the building, planning, zoning and other jurisdiction officials. Codes and laws are often complex documents and are difficult for those outside of the building industry to understand. An architect makes sure your project is code compliant and abides by local requirements and standards. We understand the approvals and permitting process. We can assist you in filling out the forms, filing for design reviews, and meeting with building officials. We make to address the officials’ concerns and include all relevant information on the forms. This can speed up the approvals process by many months, saving time and money for all concerned.

Materials + Finishes Selection

We stay abreast of the latest construction materials and technologies so that we can recommend materials and systems that fit your budget and save cost. An architect can help you choose materials and finishes that are beautiful, durable, and save you from frequent maintenance and replacement costs. New building materials and finishes come out often. Architects have access to resources to confirm product quality which is a valuable asset.

Construction Techniques + Building Assemblies

Having an architect on your team who understands how your building assemblies meet current building code requirements is important. With advances in technology, new building systems are coming on the market with increasing frequency and meeting tougher energy-efficiency requirements. These new products and techniques are transforming how walls are constructed to maximize performance and minimize cost and waste – bringing an end to many traditional building practices. A good architect can design your building to take advantage of the best practices and improved techniques of today’s time.

Cost Comparison + Analysis

An architect can help review your project budget against your programmatic needs. Architects work with contractors and other estimating professionals who can confirm that your budget is realistic. An architect is also skilled in evaluating products and systems for cost and performance. We can work with you to select the appropriate materials and systems based on the goals and objectives of your project.

Environmental Analysis Benefits

Site Selection + Building Location

Architects can examine and compare various sites to find the right one for your needs and budget.  Once you choose a site, an architect can perform a site analysis. We can review site features, topography, utility access, vehicular access and views to help you find the best location for your structure on the site. We can also help design your home to frame views and focus on specific landscape features. We can maximize energy efficiency based on building orientation and create a contextual building that fits into the surrounding landscape or neighborhood context without looking like every other house on the block.

Site Analysis + Preservation

Along the same lines as reviewing options for building locations, an architect evaluates the site to understand landscape features, topography, vegetation, and access. Understanding the grading and soil conditions of the site helps determine appropriate building elevations. This, in turn, affects the amount of site work (the amount of cut and fill of soil) and the type of foundations for the building. Also, an architect will review the vegetation (for large trees or vegetation worth saving), utility hookups & vehicular access. All these elements contribute to optimal building siting, the amount of site work, and type of foundations. All these factors affect the construction cost and utility hookup costs.

Energy Efficiency

A building designed for energy efficiency can reduce utility bills now and for years to come. A good architect will design a building that responds to the site using passive heating and cooling strategies. We also can suggest opportunities for other sustainable features. We have experience in analyzing solar orientation, wind patterns, and other climatic elements. When considering these environmental features early in the design phase, an architect can help reduce a building’s energy demands by harnessing nature’s (free) energy. In addition, an architect can suggest ways of conserving energy, water, and other resources altogether.

Indoor Environment Quality (Air, Light, Sound, Safety)

A good architect designs spaces that enhance the user experience, performance, well-being, and health. We create spaces with optimal air, light, and sound quality and are safe. We consider light levels, both from natural and artificial sources, and design lighting strategies that best suit functions within a space – avoiding glare and dim conditions as much as possible. We make sure the air quality is adequate by exhausting fumes and humidity out of spaces. We suggest strategies for improving acoustics and minimizing sound transmission where necessary. We also design spaces that minimize tripping hazards, falling, and slips, and make sure there are adequate egress and alarm systems.

Planning + Coordination + Administration Benefits

Project planning + Time Management

Working with an architect to design your project before construction begins is invaluable. With a well-conceived design determined ahead of time, you can build a more efficient and economical project. As ideas evolve during design, it is easier to incorporate changes (and are far less expensive) than during the construction phase. Same goes for discovering problems and constraints, such as project phasing, short construction schedule, or a difficult site. Early detection allows us to develop creative solutions on paper that might otherwise cost a lot of money if discovered or changed later on during construction.

Because architects are good planners and understand time management, we can help plan for unique challenges or constraints. Whether you need a short construction schedule, a phased construction sequence, or something in between, we can help you understand the impact. When understood early, these constraints may have little effect on the overall construction cost, but when left until later have significant cost implications.

Coordination of Engineers, Vendors, Building Officials, Contractors

Buildings are complex. They are composed of various systems (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil, audiovisual, communications, building envelope, shading, circulation, etc). Different systems have varying impacts on a project – from cost, to physical space, to performance. An architect works with various engineers to select each system, review them against the project goals, and integrate them into a cohesive building design.

There are also various other parties involved in the project, such as building officials and contractors. An architect interfaces with these professionals on a regular basis to make sure projects get built according to the construction documents and local and state laws.

Of course, there are always new products coming out on the market that may be better, cheaper, or save installation time. An architect has an ear to the ground on many of these new materials or technologies and works with various vendors to understand the new products and help determine if any are appropriate for the project.

Construction Contract Administration

There are various procurement options (methods for designing and building your house). An architect helps you understand the unique aspects and impacts of each option so you determine which is best for you and your project.

Whether a project is competitively bid by a few builders or it is a negotiated contract with one builder, an architect can help you through the process of selecting a qualified builder. Because an architect prepares and distributes a single, complete set of construction documents to each prospective contractor, all price quotes are based on the same information and expectations. This results in fair and competitive construction quotes.

Aside from administering the construction contract, an architect can also review the contractor’s applications for payments (billing invoices) and confirm that with each installment, the contractor is performing the documented work. This gives you added assurance that your architect is satisfied with the builder’s performance and progress.

Construction Observation

An architect acts as the owners advisor during construction. We attend site meetings and review construction progress to ensure that the project is getting built to appropriate standards and per the construction documents. Sometimes we catch things that are not acceptable. We notify you and request that you make the contractor fix the non-conforming work. The severity of these issues varies, but some have lasting repercussions if left unattended, which could result in costly rework later.

An architect also helps review changes and substitutions that the contractor feels may benefit the owner, something that is either cheaper or saves installation time. At times, these products are great , but at other times, they are substandard and either don’t perform over time or don’t achieve the same result. A good architect can review these products and confirm they are acceptable substitutions.

Changes are inevitable on a construction project. It’s impossible to predict all conditions or to guarantee that construction documents have all relevant information. When unforeseen conditions arise or if you decide to change something during construction, an architect will help review change orders from the contractor to make sure the scope, the cost, and the method of construction for the proposed changes are acceptable.

As you can see, there are many benefits to working with an architect. And while working with an architect does come at a price, we hope you can see that the above-mentioned benefits can create lasting value for you and your project – value that most likely will make up for and exceed the fair price that architects charge for their services.