RA Architect Studios can demonstrate that we have been successful in saving our clients more money than the cost of our fee on most projects. For most people, a building project will be the single greatest investment they will ever make in their entire lifetime. It is often tempting to look at short term ways to save money rather than the big picture. This is an all-too-common mistake.
We would recommend that the decision to build or not build be made prior to contacting this firm. Once this decision has been made we will work with you, the client, to meet your goals and to carefully advise you on making the best decisions. We will also, eventually, recommend some really conscientious builders that have a successful and reputable track record. The builders we recommend will not try to steer your project into disaster because it sounds tempting; rather, they will work with you and this firm to make it all come together in the best way possible.
Any successful building project requires three key ingredients in order for the value of your project to be preserved: good design, good details and good construction. Without these three ingredients, your investment will be severely hurt. If you think the design is not important, talk to someone who is trying to sell an ugly house. If you think the details are not important, talk to someone who has mold growing because of skipped window flashing. If you think the construction is not important, talk to someone whose doors will not close properly or any other array of problems.
Doesn’t it make sense to have an Architect do the things they are trained and experienced at doing in order to secure an attractive design and details that preserve your building? Does it also not make sense to bring in a really top-notch builder to craft your house?
The reality is simple:
Architects represent Owners of building projects with their administrative and design expertise. Builders build.
But, then, there is still a tendency to yield to the advice of a guy you may have run into. A very nice, ordinary guy. He comes with a simple idea that sounds intriguing to the novice:
Joe Sixpack*, working out of his pickup, will tell you that he can design on a napkin and save you money in construction. He will then proceed to build something that is not appropriate, does not work and falls short of promises.
Congratulations, you just blew many thousands of dollars, or more, and severely hurt the value of your own property. Sound familiar? It happens more often than you think in communities all across the nation. Well don’t blame Joe, he did the best he could, given his resources and experience. Personally, he’s a really great guy—most people like him. In this sort of very common situation, however, no one at all was there to protect the interests of the Owner, not even the Owner.
An Architect can, alternatively, save or even make money for the Owner in the overall building project. This is exactly what the job of the Architect is all about. He is your expert before, during, and after construction. He brings value to your investment. Value that performs.
Good design protects your interests in ways that are hard to quantify. A well-executed appropriate design can create interest and value that goes well beyond initial expectations. Functionality, beauty and long-lasting value all come together with the Architect’s expertise.
The Architect creates a design that comes from years of training and experience doing just that--designing buildings for people to use. This experience does not come lightly and it is not as simple as simply putting lines to paper. It is all about knowing how things work for people and how science affects buildings. This protects the Owner’s interests because it responds to individual needs in a way that is appropriate and well informed. It takes many years of education and supervised experience before one can even begin to take the nine exams that it takes to become an Architect.
Outstanding details, as well, are extremely difficult to achieve. A really top-notch Contractor recently confided in this Architect that he was always glad to work with Architects because he did not have the time or the energy to do all the research necessary to come up with the best details. He was primarily interested in finding the best ways to put things together. Working with an Architect made it easy for this conscientious builder.
Architects should always advise Owners to work with really top-notch builders who take pride in their abilities as artisans of their trade, know how to follow plans, and respect the process and all of the participants within it. Working with this sort of builder makes the project happen much more smoothly. The best builders understand and promote good building practices. Architects can help advise Owners on how to select a builder, and to know what to look for when assessing their skills.
An Architect must, even with a highly qualified builder on board, be very meticulous about everything or the work that preceeded it may fail to perform and the design intent may become lost. Subcontractors, weather, mistakes, laziness, dishonesty, bad employees, and a whole host of other issues may creep into a project, affecting the investment of the Owner. Because we are human, sometimes surprises will happen. The Architect needs to be there to help protect the Owner during construction.
Working with an Architect also saves money for an Owner and adds value to a project because the Owner gets the project they expect. This Architect is there to make sure that shortcuts are not taken, that correct materials are used and that assemblies are put together, under the right conditions, in ways that will function as intended.
Good design means beauty and interest will create a positive response to your building. Outstanding details means people will be able to thrive and live comfortably. Meticulous contract administration means it all comes together in a lasting piece of architecture.
The value of your investment must be protected.
*Joe Sixpack is a fictional character, epitomised throughout the American culture as a normal guy who is not terribly bright or inquisitive.
Website Copyright © 2008 RA Architect Studios, LLC