Do I Need an Architect?

Do I Need an Architect?

So in the similar vein to the question we did a couple months ago about when to call in an Engineer, we wanted to help demystify when you might need an Architect!

I found this little graphic that I think really helps clarify since there is much more overlap with us and Architects than with Engineers.

So in our world, we also help with exterior material selections and light site planning or development. We also do all our plumbing selections and detailing within our team too! So again, the overlap is quite wide. That being said, there are some scenarios where we just believe it is better to bring one one and it boils down to New Construction.

When you are starting a project from the ground up, we believe there is a huge amount of strength to having a the perfect triad team (Architect, Designer, Engineer). Architects are much better at navigating site conditions and topography. They are more well suited to assess where a house should orient or situate on the land and how to integrate it within the landscape. They also are more well rehearsed in construction methodologies and structural materials. The guts for lack of a better term. We add the lipstick. They make sure it won’t collapse with six feet of snow in winter. Definitely important and nonnegotiable for us.

Where it starts to get into the gray water is in remodeling. For the most part, on a remodel, you need an Engineer (if you are moving walls) and either a Designer or an Architect. But, not all Architects do material selections and not all Designers do permit plans. So, it really depends on the services and offerings of the design team/firm and what their capabilities are.

For us, if you are not touching the exterior footprint and are mainly wanting to revise the interior plan, we can do everything within our team and the Engineer. We tend to be a team that is more focused on the detailing and planning, so although we are not Architects, we do think we can do a mean site assessment on the best use of space within your home.

Need help seeing the vision? Contact us today to get started!

Cheers!