Because most of my clients have never worked with an architect before, I find it helpful to present an overview of how I work and the value that my involvement adds to a project.

Typically, an owner has either purchased property and decided to build a home, or owns an existing home and has decided to make some changes. At this point, the owner must decide whether or not to hire an architect to assist them.

I recommend that people come in to meet me at this time. I show examples of past projects, discuss how I can help make their specific project successful, discuss how architectural fees are handled, and provide references. Talking about past projects with former and current clients is a great way for potential clients to learn the value of hiring me to help them.

I begin the design process by learning about the site. The building must relate well with the site in terms of grade (how the building connects to the land); in terms of orientation (the relationship to existing features, views, and the wind, and how the structure respects sunlight throughout the seasons); and in terms of access (both pedestrian and vehicular). During this phase, the owner typically shows me examples of ideas they like, often magazine clippings, books, and photographs.

The owner and I spend time documenting and prioritizing what spaces are desired, what are their size requirements, what are the desired adjacencies and orientations. Additionally, the construction budget is incorporated using basic cost per square foot formulas based on the anticipated type of construction. My job during this phase is to listen and ask questions. This phase of design is called programming; the resulting program describes the house in the way people want to live in it.

Using the program and working collaboratively with the owner, I begin to develop conceptual organizational sketches. It is during this phase that the basic floor plan takes shape and the general form of the structure is developed. This phase generally involves a lot of interaction with the owner. The program may get revised. Priorities change. The floor plan gets pushed and pulled.

To get a good sense of the form of the building and the actual site orientations, an owner may ask me to build a model after this stage of design. Models are an excellent way for owners to "see" the building in its context.

After the design is pretty well settled, details and construction information are added to the drawings. Once finished, the drawings are submitted for a building permit, and a builder is selected for construction.

During construction, I typically work closely with the owner and the builder to help make the project as successful as possible. I continue to provide design assistance throughout construction, helping with all issues from framing questions to paint colors, and site design, as required.

It is my goal to have the projects I work on be successful from the owner’s perspective. The best advertising I have is for my clients to have a great building experience.