You want to do what? GREAT! How can Hoy+Stark help?...or: How to prepare for your first meeting
How to prepare for your first meeting with an architect.
Going to talk to an architect for the first time.
Here are some things your architect would like to know!
Who are you?
Are you an out of town developer, a home owner looking to build a custom home, or someone who does not know one drop about architecture but your manager tasked you with researching and finding an architect for an upcoming project?
Why is this important:
It helps your architect to know where you are coming from and what you might already know. A developer has probably gone through this process a few times and might ask very different questions than a new home builder.
What are you building?
Are you building a 20 story mixed use high rise, a single story home, or a hospital?
Why is this important:
This gives your architect an idea of the scope of work and helps them start thinking about which consultants they need, and if they can take on that project due to current work load or staff. *Note it is good to check out your architects current or past projects. Some architects may be more familiar with a project type than another. It doesn’t mean you should discredit that architect if they don’t have a project type in their portfolio. It’s a good idea to see their design style though.
Where are you building?
Are you building in a downtown, a rural area, or forest? Is it in town, or across state lines?
Why is this important: Not only does this tell the architect what the site constraints are, but it also lets them know if there will be any zoning issues. As an extreme example, you might have this great piece of property in a bustling urban area that you want to put a single story home on. However your city zoning states that area is only for commercial buildings and not single family homes.
How much can you spend?
Why is this important:
Construction costs are in constant flux. This is due to a variety of reasons; there might be a lack of skilled laborers, a natural disaster in a neighboring area, yearly inflation, etc. It’s also important so that your architect can manage your expectations. You might be relying on grant money, fundraising, or you might not have enough money for the proposed project.
What are you dream house/ no budget ideas?
If there was no budget and or you get all of your wants for your project, what would that be? Do you have anything that is an absolute?
Why is this important:
It helps your architect gauge what your vision is for the project. They can also start to help you navigate the way to get to your dream idea.
Bring Examples.
Why is this important:
You might say you want a “traditional” flare. Your architect’s version of “traditional” might look very different from your idea of “traditional”. So bringing examples helps you and your architect stay on the same page.
Ask questions!
Don’t be afraid to ask a question or sound silly.
We have heard it all.
Why is this important:
Because every architect loves to help! Our mission is to help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public with our buildings. The built environment is important to everyone and architects take that seriously. So ask whatever questions you can think of. Hoy+Stark Architects welcomes conversations and opportunities like this.
Give us a call!
