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Hiring An Architect
How to Avoid Hiring the Wrong Architect
You're looking for an architect and you've probably read the 20
things to ask an architect article published by the AIA by now.
While this is a good list, it doesn't address all the issues
that need to be considered today. Architecture is a rapidly
changing profession, especially in the realm of software. Many
firms have yet to make the significant investment necessary to
be at the forefront of their industry. It is also a profession
that balances art and science, and requires good communication
and organization skills. While it's difficult to assess whether
a particular architect will meet your needs, here are nine ways
to help:
1. Visit the architect's office.
An architect's office can say a lot about their design
aesthetic and creativity. Typically, though, first meetings
with a client will be at their project site, so you may not
have an opportunity to see the architect's office. Consider
scheduling a visit at the architect's office within a few days
of the initial meeting.
2. A disorganized architect's office might be a red flag.
An architect has to organize hundreds, if not thousands of
pieces of information, and a disorganized office might be a big
red flag. However, don't confuse artist creativity with
disorganization. Models or model building supplies, trace paper
and sketches can be a sign of real creativity, but project
information is normally stored in binders and filing cabinets.
Large piles of unsorted paper are probably not a good sign.
3. Ask your architect if they are using 3D software (the answer
should be 'yes' - then ask them if they are using BIM).
The latest architectural software is called BIM (building
information model) and the more sophisticated architects are
using this. A house or project designed in BIM is completely or
almost completely designed in three dimensions (3D). In
addition, in many cases the software can help eliminate errors
in coordination of drawings since the two dimensional drawings
are all 'extracted' from the 3D model. The software also keeps
track of things like sizes of each door and window, and when a
size is changed in one drawing, it is automatically updated in
another. This can be a real help in reducing errors.
4. Education is the foundation of an architect's
experience.
While attending a good school can help assure your architect
has a good foundation to build upon, usually a better indicator
is how an architect did in the school they attended. Many
architecture instructors will tell you that 10%-20% of students
are really talented designers and few students who weren't got
significantly better as they went through school. To get a
sense of how an architect performed in school, ask about design
awards they may have won or exhibitions they may have
participated in. If you ask about academic performance,
differentiate between design studio classes, and non-design
studio classes.
5. Know who you are going to work with.
If you are hiring a multi-person firm, find out who you will
actually be working with. Many times the person you are
interviewing with won't actually be doing much work on your
project. If the person you are going to be working with isn't
in the interview, ask to visit the architect's office and meet
the person or people who will be on your team. Ask to see the
credentials of those team members as well.
6. Architects communicate with drawings as well as words.
Look at the architect's drawings and ask questions about them.
It may be challenging to read or understand drawings if you
haven't done this before, but if you can't understand them
after an architect explains them, then either the drawings are
not very good, or the architect has a hard time communicating.
Both may be red flags.
7. A complete set of construction drawings includes
specifications.
Not all architectural information is communicated within
drawings. Plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures, finishes,
expected quality levels, and other information that is easier
said in words than in drawings are communicated in written
specifications. If your architect doesn't prepare
specifications, then you'll likely be answering many questions
during construction and may be hit with large change
orders.
8. Look at the architect's website.
A well designed, well organized website can communicate that an
architect is organized and can assemble information in a clear
format. If their website is out of date or they don't have one,
this might be a hint that they are behind the times.
9. Find out how well the architect works with building
departments.
When you or your architect submits your drawings to the
building department, they are typically reviewed and a
revision/correction notice is issued. A good architect can
easily get a residential or small commercial project through
with no revisions or one round of revisions. Since each round
of revisions takes time to complete, fewer rounds of revisions
means you get your permit sooner. Incomplete or low quality
documents could hold up construction. If you're trying to get
your project framed and weather-tight before the rainy season,
this could push the project into a season with unfavorable
construction conditions.
Hiring an architect is challenging because you can't 'test
drive' the end product during the interview. You will only know
how the project turns out at its completion. So spend the time
to choose a good architect. Interview several and see who you
think is qualified and a good personality fit for you. You will
be spending a lot of time with him or her so choose
wisely!
Nazim Nice is a Seattle Architect at Motionspace
Architecture + Design PLLC and has over 12 years of experience
designing residential and commercial projects. He is also the
founder of Lumen ID, a company that produces custom engraved
architectural products including custom engraved switchplate
labels
by Nazim Nice -
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