Five Reasons to Start a Project with an Architect
"Where do I even start?"
Carlos looked sincere and confused while he arranged his pots in different ways to make them more visible to customers at the farmer's market. I have seen that same look in different people when they talk about starting a project or renovating their house and are unsure where to begin.
I was buying some fruit and veggies for the week when I saw Carlos's ceramics. I am a ceramics amateur, and the unique shapes of the pieces and intricate carvings prompted me to ask about his techniques. The conversation flowed until he asked about my work, and I shared that besides pursuing ceramics, I am an architect who helps to bring new life to buildings by remodeling and re-imagining while following our client's dreams.
Immediately Carlos mentioned that he wanted to create a guest house or an ADU. He felt that there was enough room in his property, and he may be open to converting the garage, but he wasn't sure how to do it. Carlos was stuck because he could not determine how to start!
"Do I go to the building department?
Do I call a contractor?
Do I start collecting pictures for inspiration?
Do I start designing? - But I don't know much about it!" - he said.
"Well, It may sound biased," I finally interjected, "but you start by calling an architect."
Carlos looked at me doubtfully while he was considering my reply. After a pause, he shared that architects are a big investment, and he did not want to pay for an architect when he did not even know what he wanted.
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The conversation with Carlos has been on my mind lately. There are so many alternatives for home renovations that it can be overwhelming. Also, it was a reminder that architects need to get better at sharing the benefits of involving us at the project's outset.
After all, Architects help
you determine the three "whats":
what you need,
what you want,
and
what is allowed on your
particular site for your unique needs.
Let's explore why calling an architect as the first step is a great idea.
#1 Start with the end in mind.
Architects are trained to see the big picture as well as the details. We are a great guide and resource to take you from your dream idea to the result.
Having the big picture laid out, even when you are only remodeling a bathroom or a kitchen, can save you headaches and redundancy in the future. For instance, you know you want to increase your house's square footage or meet a certain program but are unsure how to accomplish it, so you start by remodeling the kitchen. But what if, after analyzing your house, it is determined that you could achieve your program more easily by shifting the kitchen arrangement or relocating it? Wouldn't it be great to have had that big-picture plan before you started to remodel the kitchen? Then, every little or big decision or change you make around your house will follow that big-picture plan previously developed. You get a road map, a personal GPS navigator for your renovation journey that keeps you on track.
#2 Determine the right direction for your project.
An architect can help you bring clarity to the broad view. There are many options, and the process is intricate, even for a minor remodel. Consulting with an architect as the first step can help determine if your idea is feasible within the constraints of your current site. An architect can define milestones to help you organize the process so you enter this big journey with more knowledge. Knowledge empowers you to feel more confident every step of the way.
#3 Answer budget and schedule questions.
Budget and time are tricky. While there is no way to have a completely accurate number for both at the beginning, an architect can provide a broad ballpark estimate to help you determine the best course of action for you and your family.
The budget will still change as the project is detailed and the scope is defined, but most of the time, it is helpful to have a general ballpark to help you determine whether it is the best investment for you and your family.
#4 Advice to help streamline the project.
Architects are the owner's allies. We strive to look for our client's best interests. We give the best advice, given our experience, to help you streamline the process and make great decisions.
While this is your project and your journey, an architect is a guide to help you and go with you on this journey to make it endurable, if not somewhat enjoyable.
#5 Advice on different people that could help you develop your project.
Many things determine whether you need an architect for the entire project duration. The project size, scope, feasibility, timeline, and expectations are some parameters that can help define the best person to help you develop your project. In some cases, when the remodel is not too intricate and structural elements are not changed, a tradesperson, like a drafter or a designer, could help you develop your permit plans. Still, calling an architect first will help you determine the main milestones and get a general idea for your development. Once you have the big picture defined, it is easier to determine the best tradesperson or professional to help you with your project.
Many tradespeople can help you develop blueprints for your renovations.
For an investment as big and personal as a renovation is,
you would greatly benefit by hiring someone that can first give you a plan -
The blueprints are the documentation and result.
The first piece of advice to seek is the one from an architect.
No matter the project size, getting advice from the most knowledgeable person you can afford with a broad vision of the entire process is important as a first step. Unfolding Lines, for instance, starts with a 10-20 minute complimentary phone call to give quick advice regarding your project and suggest the best course of action. When we see that your project will benefit from further help from an architect, we recommend a 1-hr site consultation to answer as many questions as possible directly related to your site and project. We do our best to share as much information as possible in that hour, and we don't hold back! When we arrive at the site visit, we have already looked at the basic zoning requirements of your site and are ready to make broad recommendations. As a courtesy to the first clients, the fee for the site visit is a reduced hourly rate, and there is no commitment to keep working with us.
After meeting with you and your project, we can recommend the best course of action tailored to your needs.
When you don't know how to start, as a first step, call us, and we will help you figure it out.
Pro-Tip:
Obtaining regulatory information for
your site is one of the first steps.
Your local planning department can provide
information on land use, setbacks,
floor area ratio, hillside, encroachments,
seismic zones, fire zone, etc. It is important to
have a good understanding of this information
before beginning with any planning or design.
We can help you gather the information and
interpret your site as a stand-alone service.
Please share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues - Somebody in your close circle may be looking for this information! To know when a new blog post is out, you can follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Gracias!
Citlalli
And suddenly, you know: it is time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings
-Meister Eckhart
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Special thanks to my editor, Ilya Godes!
Citlalli is an architect and a mom who enjoys finding the extraordinary around us and understanding what makes each person thrive.
She believes that art and sound design should be accessible, and her motivation is to help build a better world for the next generations thru design.
She has worked on residential and commercial projects for over 15 years. She decided to open her studio in Los Angeles, California, to make great design reachable to more people.
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