Design and construction
are inherently exciting. There are few things more satisfying than a
successful project the secret to success lies in the professional,
business, and personal relationship between Owner and Architect. You and
your architect provides guidance on how to establish and benefit from those
relationship. ( Booklet ref: taken American Institute of Architects by AIA
)
-
Getting Started
-
Selecting your Architect
-
The Important Choices
-
Services Available from Architects
-
Negotiating the Agreement
-
Compensation your Architect
-
Keeping the Project on Track
Getting Started:
The best way to begin a new project is
for you - the Owner - to reflect on what you bring to it: knowledge,
experience, needs, desires, aspirations, and personal opinions. You also
provide the resources to realize your expectations.
Naturally, every owner
starts from a different outlook. Some have had vast experience with design
and construction and know what they want and how to go about getting it.
Many owners have much less experience. Whatever your situation, it makes
sense to being with some self-examination to assess what you already know
about your project and what you will establish with your architect's help.
The questions outlined below can serve a guide. You don't need firm or
complete answers to these questions at this point. Indeed, your architect
will help you think them through. A general understanding of where you are,
however, will help you select the best architect for the project.
Ask Your Self These
Questions:
• what
activities do you expect to house in the project? Do you have specific
ideas on how to translate these activities into specific spaces and square
meter areas? In any event an architect with experience in your particular
building type can help you immensely to refine your design program (the
collection of parameters from which design is derived).
• Has a site
been established, or will this decision also be a subject of discussion
with the architect and others?
• Have you
and those with whom you are talking fixed a construction schedule and
budget?
• What are
you design aspirations? What thought have you given to the design message
and amenities you are seeking in the project.
• What are
your overall expectations for the project? What are you motivations, both
basic and high-minded, and what role does this project play in achieving
your overall goals?
• How do you
make decision? Will a single person sign off on decision? Do you have a
building committee?
• How much
information do you need to make decision?
• Where will
the resources come from to create and operate this project? (your architect
can help you considerably here, for instance, to tap into reliable capital
assistance or leverage modest first-cost upgrades into enormous life
cycle-savings)
• How much
experience do you have in design and construction? Have you done this
before? If so, where have you been most successful, and where were you
disappointed?
Selecting
Whatever you are building your own home or designing a
commercial Your Architect
: complex choosing the right architect is vital to a successful
project.
Continued....
<<<Go
Back to Questions<<<
