By Laura Davis, AIA, Dallas Architect
There’s more to choosing an architect than what you’ll see in a résumé or proposal. Dallas Architects, Laura Davis, AIA and Larry Paschall, AIA offer 5 questions to ask an architect when starting a new project.
Whether it’s a remodel, addition, or an entire new building, the idea of beginning a new construction project can awaken the flutters of butterflies in your stomach. There’s a lot to think about. Choosing the right architect to guide you through all of those decisions, can make or break a project.
Imagine interviewing architects as if you were looking for a partner on an online dating site. He or she may look like a good match on paper, but if there’s no chemistry when you meet in person, asking them to describe their design philosophy isn’t really going to matter. You will be spending a considerable amount of time with your architect and if you aren’t comfortable or confident, it’s not going to be a fun project.
So here’s how we recommend you approach the first interview with an architect:
1. Ask the architect to sit down.
On a recent interview we walked in the door and immediately the home owner started taking us on a tour of the house. Forty-five minutes later, the owner asked, “How hungry are you?” (She was not asking us if we were ready for dinner.) In our ears we heard, “How cheap can we get you?” Had that happened in the first 15 minutes, we could have saved us and them a good hour and said “No thanks.”
When inviting an architect to interview, ask them to sit down for a few minutes and just have a regular conversation. It’s a great way to find out whether or not the architect and you are going to be a good fit for one another. Save the house tour for later.
2. Ask the architect to put away any brochures or portfolio.
As architects, we will be the first to admit that we love doing the dog-and-pony show. We are more than happy to bring out our portfolio and show you all of the wonderful work we’ve done. But that’s not really the point. We’re there to find out about you, and to answer your questions as they come up. Not to show you what we can do, when we’re not even sure what it is you really need. Chances are you’ve already looked at their work online if they have a website, so you probably like the type of work they are capable of producing.
3. Ask about their background.
Get to know your architect. Find something in common that will help you to relate to each other. Ask about their family, where they’re from, and where they went to school. Ask how they became an architect and about what topics are they passionate. When I was in high school my parents interviewed architects to design our house. Turns out the one they selected was an avid fly fisherman and his wife was a school teacher… just like my parents. Our families have been friends ever since. I babysat for their two sons and even worked a summer internship during college at his office. There is much to be said for the value of knowing from where your architect comes.
4. Ask about experience with your type of project and locality.
You want as few surprises as possible during the design and construction of your project and an architect who has “been there, done that” is good to have on your side. Ask how familiar they are with local codes, zoning, ordinances, building inspections, etc.
Resist the urge to ask your brother-in-law, who may be a successful large-scale commercial architect, to design an addition off the back of your house. That’s not to say he couldn’t handle it, but chances are that he’s not going to have relationships with the right kind of consultants and contractors specializing in residential projects. And he may not know of the pitfalls to expect and avoid with that type of project.
5. Share information about yourself.
Don’t be afraid to share the emotional side of project. By letting your prospective architect know how you want to feel in the space and what you hope to accomplish by completing the project, they will know better how to help you.
Dive under the surface of “I want a new master bath” to find “I need a clean, calm sanctuary that is all mine so I can relax and soak away the stress of the day because then I can sleep better and be a better mom to my kids.” In the interim, we might suggest a Xanax and a vacation, but we can also then fine tune the lighting, space planning, sound insulation, materials, and storage (…might we suggest a wine refrigerator?) in the new bathroom to give you the sanctuary you desire.
When it comes down to selecting your architect, do your homework and go with your gut. You will think with your head, but decide with your heart. Choose someone you know, like, and trust. If you haven’t found that person yet, keep looking.
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To hear more on this topic, listen to the episode, “The First Interview” of The Architecture Happy Hour podcast on iTunes.
More Resources: The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has several on-line brochures that can guide you through the decision-making process. You can find the brochures at howdesignworks.aia.org.
Dallas Architect Laura Davis, AIA is a vice president and director of marketing at HPD Architecture LLC. She and her partners offer custom design services for residential, commercial, and institutional projects in Dallas and the North Texas area.
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