Posts filed under “design”
Who To Call First, An Architect Or A Contractor? Part 2
In part 1 we learned that who to call first, and architect or a contractor, is not as important as getting both on board early. Establishing a solid foundation of communication, trust and predictability. The tip of the iceberg… Getting the architect and contractor on board together is only a start. Each will assemble their […]
Who To Call First, An Architect Or A Contractor? Part 1
You’ve out grown your home or business and are now asking yourself “who should I hire first, an architect or a builder?” Architects will say “call me first” and builders will say “Nooo…. call me first”. The truth is, you can’t have one without the other. The sensible approach is to get both on board […]
How To Find A Reputable Contractor In One Simple Step
Step 1: Listen to your architect! Seriously! …and if you don’t have one, find one and ask for a recommendation. I recently did some permit drawings for a friend who is also a client. I also recommended a couple contractors that I trust, but he decided to go with someone else to save a […]
Building a New Home, Part 4: The Home Stretch
In part three I explained the three phases of design, Pre-Design, Schematic Design and Design Development, and how they relate to the construction process. In part four we will discover how it all transforms onto a legal document that your contractor will build from. Construction Documents/Drawings: If you have ever assembled a bicycle, you […]
Should I Be An Architect?
The profession seems to have been glorified to the point where those of us who do it are perceived as part the 1%, a pinnacle usually reserved for the corporate CEO, the doctor, the lawyer, the banker, the hedge fund manager, etc. How? Why? I don’t know. The mainstream media? The film industry? Sadly, those who pursue the profession for the gobs of money, a big house and a […]
Building A New Home, Part 3: The Fun Part
In part three I will cover the three phases of design, Pre-Design, Schematic Design and Design Development. I call this the fun part because a house is more than a building with a front door, a back door and a roof over a few rooms separated by walls and doors. It is a place. A […]
Building A New Home, Part 2: Getting Started
Initial documents: In part 1 I discussed the process of building a new home or renovation from the initial contact to the proposal and finally reaching an agreement. Part 2 will cover the documents that will be your responsibility as the property owner. Plot Plan: Before getting started with the design process your architect will need to know if your project […]
Architecting. What Makes An Architect An Architect?
So I came across another interesting article, “Architecting Your Exit”. Now I initially found this odd because not much design goes into the exiting of a building. The building code has very specific criteria with thousands of minimums and maximums that govern how high, how wide, how low and how many. All contained in 184 […]
What is that ‘thingy’ on the roof?
This blog post was inspired by an article that I recently read as well as conversations I’ve had with many clients. Architects (and builders) have names for just about every component or system involved in the design and construction of a building. Most of these terms have been passed down from as far back as the ancient Egyptians to […]
8 Myths About Architects
Myth #1: I can’t afford an architect. This is number one because it is the most mis-understood. An architect will make your budget his or her best friend and will negotiate to get the best materials and the best workmanship for a good price. More bang for your buck. An architect will not only advocate […]