Archinect
anchor

How to select an architect for a residential job?

Greg A

Hi All

I posted another thread seeking advice from architects on an upcoming job. Unfortunately, 80.0% of the replies related to being underpaid, a generally miserable demeanor, and an unwillingness to go beyond anything they could invoice for.

Any idea how I can locate a positive architect that doesn't whinge about their choices in life, respects the client, and can create a positive design?

I don't want the saltiness and dis-contentedness being represented in my final design.

Thanks in advance!

 
May 31, 17 12:30 am
Yippee!

Referrals. Houzz.

May 31, 17 12:50 am  · 
 · 
arch76

zipcode.

May 31, 17 1:23 am  · 
 · 

Greg A: "the fundamental point being missed here was that I wouldn't hire an architect for the job"

http://archinect.com/forum/thread/150009813/help-from-residential-architects

May 31, 17 1:25 am  · 
 · 
senjohnblutarsky

I don't think a forum where Architects come to rant would be a good start.  

May 31, 17 7:55 am  · 
 · 
( o Y o )

Craigslist.

May 31, 17 9:59 am  · 
 · 
Non Sequitur

Greg, a little secret, free of charge, it's called google.

May 31, 17 10:23 am  · 
 · 

Your local AIA, which even lists architects according to specialization.

https://www.aia.org/find-chapter

May 31, 17 10:56 am  · 
 · 

Or, what most of my clients do: ask people you know and are friends with who have renovated their homes for a referral. This way you can also figure out who might be a good fit for your specific project and personality. If none of your friends have used an architect, ask your dentist, doctor, CPA, parents of your kids' friends, soccer coaches, bike-riding buddies....

May 31, 17 10:59 am  · 
 · 
SneakyPete

"Any idea how I can locate a positive architect that doesn't whinge about their choices in life, respects the client, and can create a positive design?

I don't want the saltiness and dis-contentedness being represented in my final design."

 

 

...says the salty guy whinging about his experience on a forum he chose to post on.

May 31, 17 11:52 am  · 
 · 
chigurh

Any idea how I can locate a positive architect that doesn't whinge about their choices in life, respects the client, and can create a positive design? Who will work for free for a gouging ninny such as myself and keep construction costs under 50 bucks a foot?  

May 31, 17 12:01 pm  · 
 · 
Volunteer

This is a total send-up as is the author's previous thread. No one has a house that ugly. The image was from a junior high school student, stoned, trying to get in a project under the deadline. Let's see a real photo of the house or it doesn't exist.

May 31, 17 2:07 pm  · 
 · 
BulgarBlogger

PM me and I can send you a proposal for my services. I work for one of the top high-end residential firms in NYC. 

May 31, 17 7:54 pm  · 
 · 
BulgarBlogger

The average construction budget for projects my firm does is about $6 million. I think that's pretty good for residential work...

May 31, 17 9:17 pm  · 
 · 
x-jla

Greg, Give this guy a call.  He is very knowledgable, helpful, and will probably hook you up with some advice.

Peter Eisenman 

212 645 1400

May 31, 17 10:57 pm  · 
 · 
BulgarBlogger

Our projects range from 6,000-10,000 sf or $1000/sf-$600/sf respectively.

Jun 1, 17 9:00 am  · 
 · 
BulgarBlogger

I think its much easier to start from a high1wnd background and then do budget projects, than the other way around... We have all seen the shit taste some residential architects have both in terms of their understanding of proportion and style, as well as in material selection.

Jun 1, 17 12:39 pm  · 
 · 

High budgets don't often or necessarily equate to high taste, and are not a requirement for it.

Jun 1, 17 3:48 pm  · 
 · 
BulgarBlogger

OP- contact me and I can give you a good price on your project.

Jun 1, 17 1:00 pm  · 
 · 
x-jla

Damn B. Hungry much?

Jun 1, 17 3:16 pm  · 
 · 
x-jla

I deal with residential clients exclusively for landscape design projects.  Lately Ive been doing a ton of revegetation plans for millionares who want to build ridiculous homes on undisturbed land.  Unbelievable how they will dish out a million bucks for a boat, yet complain over the cost to repair the damage to the land (as reqired by local regs) that their gluttony caused.  

Jun 1, 17 3:25 pm  · 
 · 
x-jla

The high-end clients are the cheapest ones. Best residential clients are young professionals in the tech and medical fields from my experience. They understand the intricacy of the design fields.

Jun 1, 17 3:27 pm  · 
 · 
BulgarBlogger

You people dont get it- why do you think the rich complain? Is it really because its a nuisance? Rich people are r

Jun 1, 17 10:24 pm  · 
 · 
BulgarBlogger

Rich people are rich because they know how to negotiate, and the pouder they kick and scream and pretend they dont have money, the more money they save to buy more and more boats. Its not a question of being miserly- just cunning negotiation ;)

Jun 1, 17 10:26 pm  · 
 · 
Beehelp

We've faced the same problem. While living in NZ we knew a reliable firm http://www.maxcontracts.co.nz/What-We-Do/ but here we are new. Ask friends - the best idea! But we don't have any here yet. Ask google, quora etc - we havent succeed yet.

Jun 12, 17 10:07 am  · 
 · 

Block this user


Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?

Archinect


This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.

  • ×Search in: