What is your approach and design philosophy in working with clients?

Listen to the client.

Care about the client.

Care about their job as if it were my own.

Translate clients’ wishes and dreams into a three-dimensional structure.

Design sturdy and well constructed buildings.

Incorporate sustainable and green technologies.

Be available and accessible for clients and contractors.

Be on-call to answer questions.

 

Can you define your design aesthetic or style?

My aesthetic has been called “warm modern”.

To me, “warm modern” means there is abundant and beautiful natural daylight; open and flexible floor plans; real connections to the outdoors; pleasing materials; and clean, unfussy architectural lines. These are common threads through all my projects.

What does an architect do and what is the “design process”?

Architects usually work in a 5 Phase Process with the Owner, from the most preliminary sketches all the way through the completion of construction.

Phase 1 – Schematic Design:

This is the phase where I get to know the client, their needs and wishes for their building. I also study the site where the building will be constructed, so that natural features may be maximized.

The schematic design process is a good example of “give and take”. For a starting point, I give the client multiple ideas in sketch form, and in turn the client gives feedback about what they do or don’t want in their house.

As we progress in this “give and take”, the freehand sketches evolve into three dimensional CAD sketches to help the client visualize. Clients are then able to virtually and “walk-through” and explore different schemes for their building. 3D walk-throughs are standard and provided free of charge on almost all projects.

 

Changes made by the client during the schematic design phase are expected and 100% okay! I believe the more feedback, the better.

The schematic design is continually refined until a final schematic emerges. Preliminary costs are determined to see if cuts needs to be made. If the client is ready, the schematic design is signed off on and then the next phase can start.

Phase 2-Design Development:

This is where we further develop the chosen design. During this phase, we select all the fixtures, materials and components needed for the complete building so that we will be ready to detail the structure.

Once the next phase (Phase 3) starts, changing the drawings becomes very difficult, which is why it is important to make any changes now–during Phases 1 and 2.

 

 

 

 

 

Phase 3-Construction Documents:

The formal design documents are now prepared for permit applications and for construction. The “construction documents” are usually comprised of 2 parts: CAD “working drawings” and written specifications. Depending on the complexity of the project, this phase usually takes 2-5 months. Once these are completed, we are ready for the next step.

Phase 4-Bidding and Negotiation

At this point the client usually selects one of two bidding options, both having different advantages and disadvantages:

1). Bidding the project with multiple bidders and selecting the lowest bid.

2). Working with one pre-selected builder who will also serve as an advisor throughout the design process, advising where costs may be trimmed as it is being designed.

Phase 5-Contract Administration

This is an exciting phase where the clients get to see their own custom house become a reality!

The architect usually provides about one site observation visit per week until the certificate of occupancy is granted to the owner.

How much does working with an architect cost?

There are two main ways that architects usually calculate their fees:

1). Fixed-Fee Basis:

A fixed-fee is calculated based on the client’s budget and the estimated cost of the construction. Around the country, this means a standard fee ranging from about 8% to 18% of the cost of construction. The fee varies based on the level of complexity and detailing the client asks for.

Compare an architect’s fee to a realtor’s cost for selling a house. A realtor will charge around 5% of the sale price of a house. The architect’s base fee of about 8% is not that much more, but includes hundreds more hours of work than normally needed for a realtor to sell a house. Also, working with an architect almost always increases the value of your project exponentially!

2). Hourly Rate:

A second option is to work with an architect on an hourly-rate basis.

However, please note that the fixed-fee basis is almost always less expensive for the client. This is analogous to “salary” vs. “hourly pay” in any job. A salaried person may work from 40-100 hrs. per week, but the pay will not change. If someone is on hourly basis, they can bill for the 100 hours! Believe me, architects put in those long salary type hours, so you will get more than your money’s worth!

How long does it take to design a house?

This depends on the client’s working “style” and how big a hurry the client is in.

Usually the time one spends in schematic and design development will pay off in terms of having a house that is really well thought out. The average schematic design timetable for a custom home appears to be about a year, although it can be less or more. This allows clients to really think through what they want and need. It also allows the architect to offer multiple ideas to help the client decide what design best fits their goals. Some clients like to take several years to think a design through and that’s fine too. This is based on what you want and what is best for YOU.

The design process is fun, exciting and interesting! Most clients are energized by exploring different design options because it helps one hone in on what is really important to you and rule out the extraneous. The availability of 3-D CAD walk-through drawings makes the process even easier for the client to visualize their project.

Why should I work with an architect instead of buying plans from a developer, for example?

Working with an architect almost always adds value to a home’s worth. “Worth” can be measured in two ways: tangible worth, such as what you will get in resale value; and intangible worth, i.e. spaces are designed to be the way YOU want them–so you will enjoy them more. You are not forced to accept a cookie cutter design. If you examine real estate listings, the words “designed by an architect” are always included as a selling point.

You will have many more options in material choices in an architect designed home.

You will get more ideas for layout and site optimization than you would with a pre-designed plan that was not customized for your needs and building site.

You will be able to focus on the spaces that are important to YOU. For instance, ever notice those 25′ high foyers in some cookie-cutter plan houses? Do you really need that? Does it feel right? Usually not. So why put the money there? An architect can guide you on where your building dollars are best spent to achieve the feeling you want in your home.

I would like to demystify working with architects: it is affordable, doable, fun and yields a result that will be customized to what you want and need from your building.

 

Is there any essential advice you would offer a client when planning a budget for a home?

I always advise clients that there are 3 main variables in any building:

1). Cost (budget)

2). Quality (materials and construction)

3). Scope (size)

A client may choose to control and direct any TWO of these. But this means that the 3rd option will “float”, or rise and fall based on the other two selected.

I urge clients to pick and choose their two control items carefully, because the 3rd item will not be in their control.

I work long hours. Are you available to meet evenings or weekends?

As a courtesy to my clients who work standard work weeks (as most do), I am able to schedule night and weekend appointments at no extra charge (with sufficient notice).

I have more questions…

Please feel free to contact me anytime via email or phone.  I love to talk about design.

 

copyright 2011, arielle c. schechter, AIA