Hiring an Architect - Roles of an Architect in the build process.

Our approach to design is to foremost identify the needs of the end users. As architects, we believe in the important influence that buildings and surroundings have on those that inhabit them. There is a need to provide the end users with kind and functional spaces, and at the same time provide a sense of security and clarity. We look to a number of key elements to influence our design such as:

Identifying elements that might be special to the community that could be reflected in the design
Incorporating any unusual site features including views to and from the site
Designing a building with the knowledge that future changes/renovations are inevitable

In short, our goal is not to expend the owner’s resources on expensive architectural details, but to establish a building that is comfortable and welcoming for those who will use the facility.

We are keenly aware of the owner’s necessity for maintaining control over project scheduling and costs. Financial success of any project stems from realistic project budgeting, efficient design and good construction cost control. Our firm has consistently brought in projects on or below budget and within required occupancy schedules. In our experience, a concerted effort from preliminary budgeting to project commissioning has been a key to successful construction projects. Our firm has developed a design process that encourages input from all levels including staff and administration. However, the process most heavily depends on the relationship developed between our firm and the key liaison person responsible for the management of your facilities. By working through the Facilities Manager, we have been able to avoid many of the post construction problems and oversights that could plague a project once it is complete.

We understand that a thorough understanding of the proposed work is key in preparing an accurate scope of work and budget. Related repairs that can be triggered by construction must be accounted for to control costs, especially in renovation work. Our custom computer costing database forms the core of our cost estimating activities. Through constant monitoring of construction costs in our practice we can accurately keep pace with change sin pricing. The database can also quickly and efficiently generate budget figures and allows us to accompany all design proposals with a cost estimate.