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  1. resources
  2. selecting the right architect

SELECTING the right Architect

for your home or cottage project

This is an extremely important decision.  Your choice will have a huge influence on the outcome of your project, including:

- how well (or otherwise) the design fits / belongs, and takes full advantage of your property,
- how well the layout fits you and your lifestyle,
- whether or not your design will accommodate your changing needs in the future,
- whether or not your drawings are sufficient to get truly competitive quotes, &
- how smoothly the process may potentially be with your builder

A good architect will enable you to make confident decisions, which will minimize worrisome second-guessing.

A good architect will also:
- inform & educate, allowing you to make informed decisions
- ensure you don't overlook anything of importance,
- inform you of pro's & con's of options,
- maximize your substantial investment - both financial and personal.

Like many things in life, some architects are much better at what they do - and more passionate / committed - than others are. 

 

CONSIDERATIONS:

 

A - WHO BEST WILL UNDERSTAND and COMMUNICATE with YOU

 

1.  What is their process to fully understand your requirements ?
Ask how they will determine your needs, wants, hopes & dreams.  Do they (a) ask questions, (b) want you to provide a list, or (c) or have a form or questionnaire for you to complete?  (If it's (a) or (b), there is a risk something will be overlooked.)
- how do you share your ideas?
- do they want to see images of things that appeal to you?
- is this all glossed over, or does it seem really important?

2.  Do they want to know the 'why' ?
An architect must know much more than what your want.  They must also understand the 'why' of your specific needs and wants - to be able determine the most appropriate design solution that will satisfy your goals & desires.
- does the architect seem interested in what is driving any of your desires?
- are they inquisitive, wanting to know more?

3.  How well do they listen ?
For your project to work as well as it possibly can & fit your desires, the architect needs to 'get inside your head'
- are they listening to you; or instead telling you most of the time?
- does the architect desire your input?
- does it appear they want to get to know you?
- do you feel understood by the architect?

4.  Do they share your vision ?
Does it appear that they will work with you and your ideas?  Or do they want to do everything completely differently?  (If so, they may be difficult to work with.)
- does the architect desire your input; or not really ask you much?
- some architects would like you to be very involved; others not so much

5.  Communication skill
Communication is key.
- does communication seem easy; is it a fit for your communication style?
- are their design drawings clear & easy to read?
- do their design floor plans include furniture - which greatly enables understanding?
- are their Construction Drawings clear?

 

B - GET TO KNOW THEM & THEIR WORK

 

1.  Look at their design work
Visit their website to get a feel for their work. 
- do the designs fit in to the surroundings?  or make a bold statement?  Which do you desire?
- do they have a 'signature' design style that's easy to discern?
- do you like their designs; the overall look, the three-dimensional form, the materials, ...?

2.  Design skill
Being an architect doesn't necessarily mean they have a lot of design skill
- do the overall designs look harmonious, or are parts 'disjointed'
- do their additions blend in seamlessly, or are they obvious add-on's?
- ask an architect to explain their thinking behind a few of their design projects - Does the rationale make sense?  Does it seem project specific, or are they all similar?

3.  Design Process
What is their process?  How involved will / can you be?  Do they want feedback from you at various points?  Is their design process iterative, over a few steps?  Or will they present to you the design when it is finished?
 
4.  Chemistry / personality
Being able to communicate freely and openly with your architect is vital to the success of your project.
- you should feel completely comfortable to discuss and share anything with the architect
- there should be no feelings of intimidation, or superiority
- is their personality a fit?

5.  With whom will you work directly ?
The person you initially meet, or will later be dealing with, may not be the design architect - which is likely the case in medium to large firms.  Make a point of meeting the actual design architect; get to know them, and look at examples of their design work.

6.  Does your project fit their specialty ?
Very few architects design homes, and even fewer design cottages or waterfront homes. 
- ask how many similar projects they've designed
- see if their project designs fit with the surroundings (a lakefront design by an architect whom designs urban homes may look out-of-place)

7.  Will they tailor the level of Construction Drawings ?
Not everyone requires the same level of documentation on their Construction Drawings
- will they customize this, to suit your particular needs / desires?

8.  How thorough are their Construction Drawings ?
If you would like to get truly competitive quotes (based on the same thing, & be able to compare 'apples-to-apples') you will need comprehensive Construction Drawings
- is this something they can do / normally do?
- how much detail can they provide?
- the less that is shown means the more that a builder needs to guess at (or not initially include)

 

There is too much at stake to settle for just anyone. 

Take the time to find the right architect.

 

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