If you are like many homeowners, you are likely constantly thinking of new ways to potentially improve your home. Sometimes, this might be as simple as visualizing a new rug to really tie the room together; other times, this may involve imagining a home that, structurally speaking, is entirely new.
If you are someone whose architectural vision involves something innovative or revolutionary, you are going to need to find an architect who can help you bring that vision to life. There are many different residential architects available for you to choose from and each of these firms will have various pros and cons attached to them.
Finding the best architecture firms for your project can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. There will be plenty of things you will want to research including previous samples of their work, endorsements from other homeowners, and various other factors. In this article, we will discuss some of the most important things to keep in mind when searching for the architect that is right for your project.
Someone who can Work within Your Budget
Whether you are building on a small or large scale, it is still very important for you to establish a reasonable budget. Your budget will have a direct influence on the scope of your project, the appropriate aesthetic features, and the specific type of materials that your project may utilize.
Though may need to be somewhat flexible, it is usually best for you to establish a general budget before you begin comparing different architects. This will make it much easier for you to avoid overspending or taking on a project that you simply can’t afford. The best architect firms will recognize the importance of your budget and work to generate a project design that can be executed within your financial constraints.
A Proven History of Successful Projects
In the world of architecture, experience is a very valuable thing. Not every design that makes sense on paper will translate well in three dimensions; the best architects are the ones who will be able to spot a flawed design before it begins to materialize. By searching for architects who have had a significant amount of experience, you will be able to benefit from using their time-tested approach to design.
There are several things you can do in order to understand a potential architect’s level of experience. You can begin by visiting their website and looking at examples of their previous work. Asking the firm questions about these projects will help you understand how they might be able to approach the project you are currently proposing.
An Understanding of Interior Design
Though interior design (aesthetics) and architecture (structure) involve various differing principles, there is no doubt that these two disciplines are highly connected to one another. Both architecture and interior design will directly influence the way in which someone experiences a given space. Understanding one discipline will make it significantly easier to understand the other.
Generally speaking, there are seven elements of interior design that will need to be paid attention. Though this specific list may vary slightly depending on which source you use, it typically contains these elements:
- Space
- Line
- Form
- Light
- Color
- Texture
- Pattern
The relationship between architecture and interior design is especially important due to the fact that raw building materials—reclaimed brick, concrete pillars, exposed structural elements, etc.—have played an increasingly important role in recent years. Having an architect capable of helping you achieve your desired aesthetic will certainly be quite valuable.
Qualifications, Values, and Community Reputation
Before making the decision to hire an architect for your home project, you should try to generate an understanding of what previous clients have experienced while working with them. This may involve visiting their website (which may only feature positive reviews), looking at independent review sources, and asking people you know for referrals.
The best home design architects will also likely have a pre-established reputation within the community they work. These individuals may specialize in certain building principles such as energy efficiency and have earned additional certifications. They likely may have also received various industry awards, recognition, and endorsements. By taking a look at all of these things comprehensively, you can get a better understanding of what matters most to the firms you are considering.
The Ability to Answer Your Questions
Once you have generated a short list (probably around 3 to 5) of architecture firms, you may want to consider conducting a sort of informal interview process. During this process, you can begin to get a strong familiarity with how the design process works and also test to see if you have a positive work chemistry with the person you are interviewing.
The best firms will recognize that you probably have a lot of questions and will do their best to answer them fully.
- What is your typical approach to the design process? Which components of the design process do you consider to be the most valuable?
- What is your proudest project you’ve completed? What makes it unique?
- How does your firm approach working within a budget?
- Do you have any special qualifications, certifications, or awards?
- How does your firm manage to combine the elements of architecture and interior design?
- Why should we choose you to help us complete our project?
By taking the time to ask these simple questions—and any others that you may have—you will be much more confident in your final decision. The choice of an architect is very important and can have a major impact on how your project turns out in the end. The better you can understand the options you have available, the more likely you will be able to finish the project as you are hoping to.
Conclusion
One of the most important decisions you will make when starting a home construction or remodeling project is which architect (or firm) you plan to use. Though these are just a few of things you should keep in mind when comparing your options, working from this brief list can help you get oriented in a productive direction.
