13
Sep

Key Factors to Consider Before Engaging an Architect

In the early stages of a project, it’s fun to daydream about the endless possibilities, even if they include far-fetched ideas like levitating furniture or a conveyor belt that delivers a warm cup of coffee directly to your bedside table every morning. While these are abstract, if-only daydreams, some elements of turning a dream into reality are essential to hash out before you bring an architect onto your team.

As a developer, the earlier you hire an architect onto your team, the better. The role of an architect is to guide you through every step of the pre-design, design, and construction process so you know your project is in good hands from the very beginning. There are a few things you can do to prepare for your first meeting with an architect to make sure they are the right fit for your project and investment business. In this article, our experts at Robertson Architecture will explain the 7 key factors to consider before engaging an architect.

What Are the Benefits of Working with an Architect?

When you work with an architect, you’re inviting an experienced collaborator onto your team. The role of an architect is to bring your vision to life within the confines of your budget, investment goals, timeline, and much more. Hiring an architect early in the project can help you avoid frustrating issues down the road.

Once you have found an architect that’s the right fit from a budget, personality, and design perspective, you can share your dreams and goals for your new development in the pre-design phase. An architect can even help you with site selection so you know the lot you are purchasing can legally and physically support the program you want to build based on the property’s zoning laws and environmental factors.

After the pre-design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding, and building permit phases of the architectural design process are complete and the architect has finalized the plans that the contractors will build to, the role of the architect shifts. However, they will remain on your team to manage the budget, timelines, additional permits, questions, etc. They are your advocate throughout construction to ensure the development is built according to the plans and act as a resource for contractors if they have any questions.

When to Engage an Architect

You may have wondered when the best time to engage with an architect is when you are starting a new development project. While this is approached in many different ways depending on the circumstances, the earlier you engage an architect during the development process, the better. Utilizing an architect can be an incredible resource as you begin looking for lots to support your new build. They have a thorough understanding of zoning laws and code regulations and will complete a site analysis to ensure the lot can support your desired building program.

If you have already purchased or own a lot that you want to develop, an architect will analyze the property and create plans that are within the zoning and code regulations of the lot. If zoning doesn’t allow you to build your desired property, you can petition to rezone it to allow that property type, be it multi-family, mixed-use, commercial, etc. If you are not able to rezone, your architect can help you reimagine your vision for the development within the zoning and code regulations of the area.

Whether due to price or zoning restrictions, you will have to make many compromises and choices throughout construction, and your architect will help guide you through these creative and functional decisions. These constraints may seem tedious, but sometimes, the most innovative solutions come from working through obstacles.

7 Key Factors to Consider Before Engaging an Architect

Below, we’ll discuss the 7 key factors to keep in mind as you start approaching architects. These factors are important to consider as they will guide your conversations with your architect moving forward. It’s a time when you can dream big but also be realistic about the project you want to create.

1.  Budget

Before engaging an architect, you should have an understanding of the project’s financials. The budget is important in the pre-design phase because it creates the constraint to which the architect will customize the plans. Being realistic with the budget in your early planning will help an architect develop plans that align with your goals.

2.  Priorities

On the subject of budget, it’s also essential to know your top priorities for the building program. As happens with any development, you will have to make choices about what’s most important to you, whether that’s location, square footage, materials, etc., to ensure you stay within your budget. Knowing and communicating these priorities early in the process will help once you are in the pre-design phase with an architect because they will consider them when creating the plans.

3.  Location

Location is an important consideration before hiring an architect, and it also ties into the budget and priorities of your building program. Do you want to build in a highly coveted location with lots that cost as much as the structure? Or are you looking to build a larger development in a less developed area where you can get the land for a cheaper price? Once you know where you’d like to build your development, your architect can help you with the site selection process. Having an architect on your team as you search for the perfect property for your development is helpful because they have an in-depth understanding of zoning laws, site analysis, environmental factors that may affect the lot, and much more.

4.  Project Goals and Scope of Work

What do you want to achieve with this development? How many units are you looking to rent or sell? How long do you plan to keep the investment? These items will inform your budget and the architect’s designs, so it’s best to understand and be able to communicate the full scope of work before hiring an architect.

5.  Design Style/Portfolio

If you want to achieve a particular design style, review an architect’s portfolio to see if their work aligns with your vision for the development. Reviewing an architect’s portfolio ensures they have experience working with similar design elements to those you are interested in. A comparable design style also means they can come up with customized solutions for your unique needs because they’ve worked on similar projects before.

6.  References

When you find an architect, you’re interested in working with, ask to speak to a few references or previous clients to get a better idea of what it’s like to work with them. You want to understand the architect’s process and whether that style will work well with your own. This relationship is a partnership, and you want to gauge whether you will mesh well with the architect.

7.  Timeline Variances

The timeline of a construction project is fluid and determined by a variety of circumstances that are often out of your control. Be prepared to experience delays as construction issues or environmental items like rain interfere with your timeline. Delays are a normal part of the process and should be accounted for ahead of time. At times, delays can be frustrating, but when you want a project done the right way and to the highest possible standards, it’s best to be patient and take the time to sort out the problem earlier in a project instead of working so fast and carelessly you create bigger problems down the road.

These factors are the essentials that you should consider before engaging an architect for your new development project. If you don’t have the answers to some of these categories, an architect will typically be happy to walk you through these items, so you know as much information as possible before you even break ground. These initial conversations with an architect are a great time to see if your personalities work well together, as they will be one of your closest contacts throughout the development process.

Reach Out Today to Learn More About Our Architectural Design Process

Budget, priorities, location, project goals, design style/portfolio, references, and timeline variances should all be considered before engaging an architect. Knowing when to engage an architect may be confusing, but here’s the good thing—it’s never too early! An architect’s skill isn’t only to draw up plans; they are also a resource for you to talk about budget, timeline, zoning, site selection, and more. The role of an architect is to help guide you to make the best possible decisions every step of the way.

Our experts at Robertson Architecture are available for a consultation to walk you through everything you should consider making sure the process is as seamless as possible.

Our clients’ best interests drive our decision-making process—we work for you. If you are ready to hire an architect, contact us today to discuss your development goals!

Author:  David Robertson is an Atlanta based architect and founder of Robertson Architecture.  Robertson Architecture on the premise of helping entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals exceed their goals.

In 2018, Robertson Architecture was formed with the single focus of helping homeowners and entrepreneurs exceed their goals. The firm works with custom residential homes, townhouses, restaurants, and hotels all across the Southeast. David has a passion for helping entrepreneurs and homeowners realize their dreams.

With over 10 years of experience, David spent the beginning part of his career working on small to medium sized commercial projects across the U.S., including hospitality projects, office buildings, multi-family, and custom homes.

 

David Robertson founder of Robertson Architecture