Selecting an architect for your new dream home is a daunting task. After 25 years of working with clients as a luxury architect, Chris Davenport, AIA offers some advice that may help make the selection process easier and a more pleasant experience for you and your family.
- Fit
- Experience
- Body of Work
- Fee
In this post, we expand on the most important consideration which is the right “fit”. Personality, trust, timing, and availability are all key “fit” factors to examine.
Personality
As with most things, architects come in all shapes in sizes. One could certainly argue that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to practice architecture, but it stands to reason that there are certain personalities and styles of practice that would better agree with a particular client’s temperament or methodologies.
For example, I often find clients which are detail-oriented and creative desire a substantially greater level of involvement in the design and drawing process.
- Is this something your architect will handle with grace?
- Can they check their ego at the door?
- Are they more likely to ask you what you want or tell you what you should have?
You may want the former or the latter but it is important to understand what personality will best fit your needs so you can enjoy the process rather than loathe it.
Trust
The relationship between an architect and a client is, in many ways, like a short term marriage. Both parties make a significant commitment of time and resources in order to collaborate on creating something beautiful and good. The right partner will work hard, fight on your behalf, and encourage you along the way. If you find yourself committed to the wrong partner, the process of creating your “dream” can become a nightmare. Consider the following potential challenges:
- If a client does not trust that the architect has their best interest in mind, they may constantly question the multitude of necessary decisions made by the architect. This will slow down the process and may leave a client feeling frustrated that they have not received what they paid for while the architect wonders why they were hired in the first place.
- A custom home designed specifically to suit YOU requires that a design professional know who YOU are. If you do not feel comfortable sharing details about your lifestyle, desires, and budget with your architect then the project cannot appropriately respond to them.
- Clients new to the design process may have little understanding of how much time the various phases take. A lack of trust in the ethics of your architect may result in questioning hourly or other billing and culminate in both parities feeling “cheated”. Entering each meeting with discontent rather than excitement is not a formula for success.
Timing
When hiring and architect it critically important to discuss the preferred timing of your project up front. The design and drawing process can take days, weeks, months, or even years depending on project scope and the process of the design professional. It is important for all parties to understand when the process can be started and approximately how long it might take to get the desired design documents. While it is nearly impossible to give an exact time frame due to the various unknowns in the artistic process, your architect should be able to give a range of time based on historical data.
Availability
Architect availability: To make sure expectations are met it is important to clarify an architect’s typical availability with regards to correspondence and working on your project. Be sure to ask and consider these questions:
- Is the architect available for your phone call / email or do they rely on staff to coordinate?
- What are your expectations with regards to response times for phone calls and email?
- Do you need your architect to be consistently available on nights and weekends?
- Are you comfortable with an architect relying on staff or consultants to help them manage multiple projects at a time?
- Is your expectation that the principal architect is directly responsible for all the work that is produced?
Client availability: Often the most significant factor affecting design process time is client availability. Given the scope of the project, it’s important to consider the following to help decide if you’re ready for the project or if you should reschedule for a more convenient time in the future. The following questions are just as important to ask yourself and communicate to your design professional:
- Will you be available to answer questions when needed?
- Are you able to make decisions quickly or do you like to mull things over?
- If you are slow to respond, the architect may need to move on to another project in the interim. Are you OK with that?
- Can you make time for an extensive programming and discovery process or do you need the architect to make some assumptions?
If you’d like to understand more about J Christopher Architecture (JCA), review our portfolio and schedule a call to discuss building your story today.
About J Christopher Architecture
J Christopher Architecture (JCA) is a full-service luxury residential architecture firm that prides itself on customer care and award-winning home designs that are unique, warm, and family-friendly. With 25 years of experience, founder and principal architect Chris Davenport, AIA, has become known for his “luxurious modern ranch” houses which pointedly reflect owner personalities and reference the surrounding environment to create a distinct sense of place.
Located in Austin, Texas, JCA works with top-tier builders and interior designers to create beautiful homes throughout the challenging landscapes of Texas. Outstanding client-centric design, luxury living, and top-notch customer-care are all hallmarks of J Christopher Architecture. Review our portfolio and schedule a call to discuss building your story today.