Why do I need an architect?
Consider this: a building is the single largest consumer product that is still typically assembled almost entirely by hand rather than on a factory assembly line. Creating a new building from scratch — or thoughtfully modifying an existing one — involves great skill, knowledge, and countless important decisions across a broad spectrum of concerns. Your architect is in a unique position to help you to shape a home that is beautiful, efficient, durable, safe, affordable, and above all, custom tailored to your aspirations.
The Architect's Skillset
The architect brings a carefully cultivated yin/yang blend of right-brain creative talents and left-brain technical skills necessary to a successful project.
Right brain creative skills:
Arranging the flow of spaces to simplify and support your lifestyle
Incorporating aesthetic considerations such as massing, proportions, and textures
Optimizing natural site conditions such as sunlight and breezes, views and vegetation
Responding to context, including harmoniously weaving new design with existing structures, site features, or neighboring properties
Left brain technical skills:
Designing for improved energy efficiency and sustainability
Coordinating complex building systems and assemblies
Selecting materials and products for quality, life cycle, and price point
Compliance with building codes and regulations
Always with an eye to maintaining the project budget
Design Leadership
A successful construction project involves an extensive team of skilled individuals, each focused on their particular aspect of the work. The architect is the leader and facilitator of this team, the one individual who works most closely with you, the owner, throughout the entire process. The architect keeps the big picture in sight at all times, while drawing upon the expertise of each team member for the good of the project as a whole.
Professional Credentials
Architects are required to earn a professional degree (I myself earned a Master of Architecture degree), complete a rigorous internship program, and pass a grueling four-day licensing exam. Even after licensure, architects must meet continuing education requirements to maintain their state license and membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA), not to mention LEED credentials. Licensed architects and AIA members are held to a high standard of professional ethics, for the protection of our clients and the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
Aren't architects only for the wealthy?
This myth is sustained by the glossy pictures that abound in architectural magazines and design websites, which showcase homes that, although stunning, are far beyond the financial reach of most of us. Where does that leave those of us who value good design but have more modest means? In my own practice, I have found that partnering with an engaged and informed client can help to keep design costs down. Over the years, my client base has consisted not of the wealthy, but of solidly middle-class homeowners, small-business owners, and investors. I work with each client up front to fine tune the scope of services so that you are comfortable that the resulting fees are within your budget.
How are architectural fees calculated?
There are as many ways to determine architectural fees as there are architecture firms. The most common ways include hourly, fixed fee for fixed scope, per square foot, and percentage of construction cost — or some combination of these. In my practice, I use a blend of the first two methods.
I typically charge an hourly rate for initial schematic design, due to the fluid nature of this phase where we are exploring and refining multiple design options. To mitigate concerns about the open-ended nature of hourly billing, we can set a schematic design budget; a client who can quickly and decisively zero in on what they want can stay well within the target.
Once the basic layout, systems, and materials are tied down – when all the “big” decisions are made as to how the project will be designed – I switch to a fixed fee for developing the approved schematic design into the technical documents necessary for permit application, bidding, and construction. This fee, too, will be identified at the outset of our work together.
Fees for permitting and construction phase services can be derived by either of these methods, depending on the project and your personal preferences. Throughout all phases, the ideal is to find a balance of billing methods that yields fair compensation in proportion to the effort necessary for delivering quality pofessional service.
What kinds of design services do you offer?
As a California licensed architect in solo practice, I offer the full range of architectural services for single family and small multifamily residential design projects, as well as small commercial projects. These services can start with zoning analysis and site selection, and take you all the way through design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration. I’ve also assisted clients with tasks as varied as web design, branding, office space planning, and prepping a home for sale.
I serve clients throughout San Luis Obispo county, and will consider projects outside SLO county in the greater Central Coast region on a case-by-case basis.
OK, how do I get started?
The first step is for us to meet, ideally on location at your current or future home site. We’ll talk about your goals and budget for the project, plus get an initial understanding of the existing conditions that will shape the design. From there, I’ll be able to put together a proposal for your review. The proposal will clearly indicate:
- Project scope, parameters, and goals
- Architectural services for the project, broken down into milestone phases
- Proposed schedule for each phase
- Consultants such as engineers and energy analyst, as required
- Deliverables for the project
- Itemized architectural fees, plus estimated reimbursables such as prints and other incidental charges
To get started, simply give me a call!
Other questions?
I'd be happy to talk with you about these or any other questions you may have about working with me as your architect.