THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF ARCHITECTURE

Working with the Client: First and foremost. This office is concerned that the architect / client relationship be a working relationship throughout the entire process of design, construction and completion of the project. I am fully concerned that the communication between me and the client is such that a full appreciation for the needs and concerns of the client is listened to and translated into the design of the building project. This concern for communication extends to the bringing together of the entire team that must be involved in the client's project. From the preliminary design phase to working with the entire range of those that must work together to create the final fulfillment of the client's architectural program.

The Client Program: For you, the client, the most important aspect of the building project is the program. The program is the wish list that incorporates all the functions, style, materials, textures, colors, and ‘feel' of the place that will constitute your dream project. It is the job of the architect to interpret the program not just for function but for all of the intangible elements that, when put together, forms a ‘whole' that greater than the parts, a whole that is a total expression of your dreams and desires for your project.

The Team of Consultants: Every project involves a team of professional consultants that are necessary in order to insure a successful project that comes in budget and on time. In the course of the planning and working drawing stages of the project, as well as during construction, the consultants are your insurance that you get the project that you want. A list of these professionals may include:

  • Surveyor to survey the exact site conditions
  • Civil engineering to calculate and draw the work that must be done on the site to accommodate the building and its infrastructure.
  • Structural Engineer.
  • Mechanical consultant / engineer to access and present alternative for heating and air conditioning.
  • Plumbing and electrical consultants.
  • Landscape designer.
  • Interior designer.
  • Water harvesting designer.
  • Showroom experts: Picking out items, such as lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, appliances, tile, wall finishes, cabinetry, flooring, etc.

Site: A fundamental concern is that of the site. The site is the palette of everything else that will be designed and built. The questions that the architect must answer are the following:

  • Are there any important views and features, either on the site or distant, that must be incorporated into the design of the project? Conversely, are there any features that should be screened from view either by the use of exterior elements, such as walls or planting, or by the use of walls of the building?
  • Determine all existing features of the site must be accounted for. For instance: Slope, geological features that must be removed or exploited, water drainage through the site that might impact the location of the building, sensitive planting and other elements that should or must be maintained and any other site features.
  • Weather and solar conditions. What temperature range throughout the year must be accommodated? Prevailing wind force and direction? Etc.
  • Tracking the sun for the year as it impacts orientation of windows and views for heat gain. If the best views also coincide with the most intense summer sun how
    is the heat and glare from the sun best mitigated, or utilized for the project.
  • Practical considerations would include utility locations, easements, noise from surrounding areas, the size of the buildable area on the lot, access of building equipment during construction ( for tight or difficult lots).

Controlling Agency Rules and Regulations: There are always rules of either government and/or the neighborhood that will put conditions on what can and cannot, as well as what must be developed at any given location. These rules can impact the development of the project's overall design and cost of the project with regulations that control height, fire resistance of the building, material, design elements, noise mitigation from mechanical equipment, water use, percent of glazing used, exterior lighting, acceptable planting material any many other possible regulations that could impact the design of the project.

Architectural Fees and Reimbursable Expenses: The key to a successful project is to make sure that there is sufficient understanding of the architect's fee structure and why aspects of the contract with the architect are included. Certain parts of the contract fee amount are billed to cover the architect's direct expenses and some are reimbursable expenses, which are billed as the architect's costs to hire consultants, printing costs, material costs for presentations, travel expenses and per diem expenses when out of area travel is required, for example.

It is very important in trying to determine the cost of construction that a building contractor is involved to prepare preliminary cost estimates. This is to insure that the project is not heading down the wrong road early on. It can be a big shock to everyone when a fantastic project is designed and drawn and the bid comes in 10 to 20%, or more, over budget!

There are different ways to determine what the fee will be depending on what makes the most sense for you and the needs of the project:

  • A fixed fee based on a percentage of the cost of construction, less fees and taxes. This can vary depending on the scope of the architect's services to be provided. For instance, a full service contract that involves complete involvement with every aspect of decision making from the inception to the completion of the project will have a higher contract percentage amount than that where basic design and plans without specifications are requested. Also, a fixed fee is based on the understanding that the project costs will not materially increase or decrease at time of completion. My office includes a clause in its contract to adjust the contract fee if the project estimated cost varies by approximately 5% in either direction and this may vary depending on the size of the project.
  • Negotiated fee based on an agreement between the architect and client where the certain assumptions about costs are rigorously adhered to.
  • Hourly rate: This may be the best way to proceed where the conditions of the project makes establishing a fixed or negotiated fee impractical, such as with remodel-addition projects. Unknown conditions of the existing building and changing requirements of the program may make pay-as-you-go the only way to proceed with the architect and his team.
  • It goes without saying that the government will have its way. So ordinary gross receipt taxes are added to the fee amount. Therefore, the client must factor this in when determining the equation of fees / cost of construction, and taxes.

 

Elements of Design | Living With Land | The Nuts & Bolts of Architecture