If you are in the process of selecting an architect you've probably read the 20 things to ask an architect article published by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) by now. While this is a good list, there are some additional questions and suggestions that are important to add to your selection process. Some of these suggestions are from insight gained from working in actual offices and interviewing with many potential clients. Other issues arise from knowing how a good office functions and the technology that is used by the best firms. So here's the list:
1. Plan a visit to the architect's office.
An architect's office can speak volumes about their design aesthetic and creativity. Unfortunately many first meetings with a client will be at the 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 messy architect's office might be a red flag.
An architect organizes thousands of pieces of information into a coherent project, and a disorganized office might be a big red flag. However, be careful not to confuse artist creativity with disorganization. Architectural models, 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 paper are probably not a good sign.
3. See if the architect is using 3D software.
The most sophisticated architects use software that creates a 3D Building Information Model or BIM. A house or project designed in BIM is completely or almost completely designed in 3D. In addition, in many cases the software can help eliminate errors in coordination of drawings since the 2 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 dimension 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 college or university 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. From my experience in school and teaching, only 10%-20% of students are really talented designers and very few students got significantly better as they went through school. To get a sense of how someone performed in school, ask about design awards they may have won or exhibitions they may have participated in.
5. Know who you are going to work with.
If you are hiring a multi-person firm, find out who will be working with you. Sometimes the person you are interviewing with won't actually be doing much production on your project. If the person you are going to be working with isn't in the initial meeting, ask to visit the architect's office (see #1) and be introduced to the people who will be on your team. Ask to see the credentials of those team members as well.
6. Architects communicate with drawings and words.
Take a look at some of the architect's drawings and ask the architect questions about them. It may be difficult to read or understand drawings if you haven't done that before, but if you can't understand them after an architect explains them, then either the drawings are not clearly drawn, or the architect has a hard time communicating - both might be red flags.
7. A set of construction drawings is not complete without written specifications.
Architects communicate with both drawings and words. Bathroom fixtures, light fixtures, decorative finishes, levels of quality and other information that is easier said in words than in drawings are communicated in written specifications. If the architect doesn't write specifications, then you'll likely be answering many questions during construction and may be hit with expensive change orders.
8. Take a look at the architect's website.
A skillfully designed, clearly organized website can communicate that an architect is organized and can assemble information in a clear fashion. If the architect doesn't have a website, this may be a sign they are not up to date with other aspects of his or her practice.
9. How well does the architect work with the various building departments?
When you or your architect submits your permit set of drawings to the building department, they are typically reviewed and a revision/correction notice is issued. A skillful architect can easily get a residential or small commercial project through the building department with no revisions or one round of revisions. Since each round of revisions takes time to pick up drawings, revise, resubmit, and re-review, fewer rounds of revisions means you get your permit sooner. This 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.
About the author:
Nazim Nice is a Seattle Residential Architect at Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC and has many years of experience designing Seattle second story additions and other architectural projects.
1. Plan a visit to the architect's office.
An architect's office can speak volumes about their design aesthetic and creativity. Unfortunately many first meetings with a client will be at the 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 messy architect's office might be a red flag.
An architect organizes thousands of pieces of information into a coherent project, and a disorganized office might be a big red flag. However, be careful not to confuse artist creativity with disorganization. Architectural models, 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 paper are probably not a good sign.
3. See if the architect is using 3D software.
The most sophisticated architects use software that creates a 3D Building Information Model or BIM. A house or project designed in BIM is completely or almost completely designed in 3D. In addition, in many cases the software can help eliminate errors in coordination of drawings since the 2 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 dimension 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 college or university 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. From my experience in school and teaching, only 10%-20% of students are really talented designers and very few students got significantly better as they went through school. To get a sense of how someone performed in school, ask about design awards they may have won or exhibitions they may have participated in.
5. Know who you are going to work with.
If you are hiring a multi-person firm, find out who will be working with you. Sometimes the person you are interviewing with won't actually be doing much production on your project. If the person you are going to be working with isn't in the initial meeting, ask to visit the architect's office (see #1) and be introduced to the people who will be on your team. Ask to see the credentials of those team members as well.
6. Architects communicate with drawings and words.
Take a look at some of the architect's drawings and ask the architect questions about them. It may be difficult to read or understand drawings if you haven't done that before, but if you can't understand them after an architect explains them, then either the drawings are not clearly drawn, or the architect has a hard time communicating - both might be red flags.
7. A set of construction drawings is not complete without written specifications.
Architects communicate with both drawings and words. Bathroom fixtures, light fixtures, decorative finishes, levels of quality and other information that is easier said in words than in drawings are communicated in written specifications. If the architect doesn't write specifications, then you'll likely be answering many questions during construction and may be hit with expensive change orders.
8. Take a look at the architect's website.
A skillfully designed, clearly organized website can communicate that an architect is organized and can assemble information in a clear fashion. If the architect doesn't have a website, this may be a sign they are not up to date with other aspects of his or her practice.
9. How well does the architect work with the various building departments?
When you or your architect submits your permit set of drawings to the building department, they are typically reviewed and a revision/correction notice is issued. A skillful architect can easily get a residential or small commercial project through the building department with no revisions or one round of revisions. Since each round of revisions takes time to pick up drawings, revise, resubmit, and re-review, fewer rounds of revisions means you get your permit sooner. This 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.
About the author:
Nazim Nice is a Seattle Residential Architect at Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC and has many years of experience designing Seattle second story additions and other architectural projects.
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_904758_27.html
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