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seasidenj
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:12 pm Post subject: deciding on an architect |
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Hello newbee here and planing an addition on my home in Seaside Heights NJ. I want a unique modern look. My question is how important is it to select someone local? I have a couple of architects that are very intrested in my project but are about 2 hours away. The local guy is intrested in my project as another job. I dont think he will be as creative about it but in my expierence I know having someone local is veryhelpful when problems arise.
Thanks for any advise
Frank
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gleearch
Joined: 07 Jul 2005
Posts: 185
Location: Oakland, CA , USA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:53 am Post subject: |
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Well it depends on what you really want. Only you can make that decision. Have you seen their work? Have you talked to them and if so, what do you get out of each conversation? What comfort level have you developed with each architect?
You say the local guy maybe less creative. I am assuming you have seen his portfolio. If that is the case, what are you looking for in your project? If creativity and innovation are important, then find the architect who can give you that. If all you want is to get something in the ground and it looks ok, then pick the less creative guy as long as you are confident he can do the job.
As far as distance is concerned, I don't really think 2 hours is that far a stretch. Besides with e-mail, cell phones etc, your architect is only a phone call away. If you need him at the site, just schedule it. I doubt you'll need to have the architect present at all times of the day or night. Besides a local architect who is swamped with work is just as accessible as one far away.
On the flip side, the location of an architect bears no relevance to his creativity or ability. A local architect may actually be more creative or have more ability than one in a bigger city or regional hub. It's just a matter of where each architect chose to set up shop. Locality has nothing to do with creativity. Plus with todays technology, many architects are actually able to complete projects on the other side of the globe.
Like I said, when you know what you want out fo your project, you will know which architect to select. Or chances are you have not found the right one out of the three choices you have.
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Gerard Lee Architects
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San Francisco bay area, Oakland, CA based sustainable architecture & planning firm specializing in residential, education, commercial, community & civic projects. |
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gleearch
Joined: 07 Jul 2005
Posts: 185
Location: Oakland, CA , USA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:08 am Post subject: |
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Well it depends on what you really want. Only you can make that decision. Have you seen their work? Have you talked to them and if so, what do you get out of each conversation? What comfort level have you developed with each architect?
You say the local guy maybe less creative. I am assuming you have seen his portfolio. If that is the case, what are you looking for in your project? If creativity and innovation are important, then find the architect who can give you that. If all you want is to get something in the ground and it looks ok, then pick the less creative guy as long as you are confident he can do the job.
As far as distance is concerned, I don't really think 2 hours is that far a stretch. Besides with e-mail, cell phones etc, your architect is only a phone call away. If you need him at the site, just schedule it. I doubt you'll need to have the architect present at all times of the day or night. Besides a local architect who is swamped with work is just as accessible as one far away.
On the flip side, the location of an architect bears no relevance to his creativity or ability. A local architect may actually be more creative or have more ability than one in a bigger city or regional hub. It's just a matter of where each architect chose to set up shop. Locality has nothing to do with creativity. Plus with todays technology, many architects are actually able to complete projects on the other side of the globe.
Like I said, when you know what you want out fo your project, you will know which architect to select. Or chances are you have not found the right one out of the three choices you have.
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Gerard Lee Architects
http://www.gleearchitects.com
San Francisco bay area, Oakland, CA based sustainable architecture & planning firm specializing in residential, education, commercial, community & civic projects. |
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Orkblork
Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:36 am Post subject: |
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2 hours should not be a problem.
HOWEVER, I think it is pretty much a necessity in such cases that the architect hire structural engineer who is local to the project. That way, someone is readily available to check out the excavation and foundation and review framing questions that come up if the architect is not around.
Also, the sophistication and management skills of the contractor should be carefully considered. A good contractor will think ahead and pace his work to the rhythms of the architect's regularly scheduled visits. An unsophisticated contractor will continually paint himself into corners and ask the architect to come out to the site to rescue him. |
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architect_ryan
Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:30 am Post subject: |
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I have heard of over-seas architects designing homes. 2 hours though is not a problem, we work in Belfast, Northern Ireland - We have a scheme worth over £1Million in Cork which is a plane flight away, not a car journey.
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www.hbkarchitects.com
Irish Architects Specialising in House & Commercial Designs |
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rabadger
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 24
Location: Valparaiso, IN
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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Make sure the one you pick will address the HVAC for the addition. If it gets done early enough you may be able to use the existing equipment or update the equipment to handle the heating load for the entire building with zoning.
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Richard
Learn what you need before you shop!
A comfortable home is a happy home!
www.HVAC-consult.com |
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Jin21
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject: Maybe |
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| rabadger wrote: | | Make sure the one you pick will address the HVAC for the addition. |
Well that is definatly a differant way of doing it, not good, not bad....just differant.
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TLWalkerAIA
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 129
Location: Seattle Washington, USA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:41 am Post subject: |
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When choosing an architect look first at the work they have done in the past. It is much more important that the architect you choose has the demonstrated capacity to do the kind of work you want. If they can not do that no amount of money will get it out of them, being close to you will not help, and even the best communication imaginable would be an exercise in frustration. The quality of the design work must always be the top priority when you build or remodel your own home. This is the one place where you should not compromise on design quality. In every case the budget is a component of quality architectural services.
Having found architects that can deliver the desired design quality, meet with them, get to know them, discover if you are compatable enough to establish rapport and share a common vission of the desired future state. From among them choose the best delivery agent based on design quality and compatability with owner.
It rarely comes down to price between one architect or another. There is no way to short change quality design. You will pay every day you live in your home if you cheat yourself out of design quality or compatibility with the architect. Between equal choices give consideration to the cost of services.
Negotiate the scope of services not price.
Good luck!
Terry
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Terry L. Walker, Architects
terry.walker20@verizon.net |
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