What to Look For in a Residential Architect

Their are many top architects in Toronto. Learn how to choose the right one for your project.

You’re planning your dream home. You’ve done your research, thought of all the features you want to include, and now you’re champing at the bit to get started. First thing’s first, though: you need to find the best residential architect to bring your vision to life. Finding the right residential architect for your project is one of the most crucial steps when you’re having a custom home designed and built. It can mean the difference between a successful project that you love and a difficult and costly project you don’t. (Imagine how much you’d regret it if you and your architect failed to see eye-to-eye on a project as important as building your dream home!)

As you go through the process of contacting and interviewing candidates, here are a few things you should consider when deciding how to pick a residential architect for your house.

History, experience and capability

Learn the architect’s or firm’s history, size and signature styles. Confirm their experience with similar houses and have them describe the features and challenges of those projects. Choosing an architect with experience in residential home design is invaluable, but having experience in other areas of the project is just as important. For example, a residential architect may have specific expertise designing homes on ravines, modern homes vs. classic style, renovation of older buildings, energy-efficient homes or using specialized materials, and so on. Your own residential architecture project may require specific and important considerations—think about what makes your home-building or home-renovation project unique when you are evaluating architects.

• Confirm the architect’s history and professional qualifications
• Assess the architect’s history and capability to perform required services
• Assess the architect’s related experience on similar types of projects
• Assess the architect’s familiarity with local geography and facilities
• Does the architect have experience with any special techniques or materials that your project requires?

Imagination and innovation

Sitting down and reviewing an architect’s portfolio will give you a clear impression of the type of project (new home or renovation) that excites them—what is their area of expertise? What is their style? Would you want to live in a house they’ve designed? And, more importantly, does it align with your own? Having an architect that is engaged and passionate about your project means that you will get their best work. Each new home-building or renovation project brings its own challenges, such as: The unique characteristics and placement of the home on the lot; how to ensure the best views, sunlight and natural features of the land; which traditional or modern design styles and special features will be required to meet your needs as a client? When interviewing architects about your project, ask them questions that illustrate how they imagine your new home should be designed, as well as questions that demonstrate a talent for innovative residential architecture.

• Does the architect seem interested and passionate?
• Review the architect’s portfolio. Is their style—e.g., Modern vs. Renaissance—a good fit for your project?
• Ask how they have innovated on similar architectural projects
• Can they demonstrate imagination and unique approaches to their work?
• Ask how they envision your project

Design Approach, Project Management and Methodology

Every residential architecture client is unique. When selecting an architect, you want someone who will gain an understanding of your vision and your needs as the first step in a detailed process, someone who will customize all their subsequent services to the unique requirements of your residential project. Discuss your candidates’ architectural design process with them: What are their steps? How are they organized? It’s important to ask questions about an architect’s approach and methodology: How will they gather information about your project’s needs, goals, and so on? What criteria will they use to establish priorities and make design decisions? What will the architect show you along the way to explain the project? Will you see drawings or sketches? In some projects, the client is hiring a contractor separately; other times, the architect may recommend several general contractors that they have worked with in the past. Speak with your architect candidate to understand how they will work together with the general contractor and what their respective responsibilities are. Ask your architect which of these services he or she provides, and what are the associated costs. Some services, such as site inspections and revisions, should be part of your contract. Others will likely be à la carte.

• Confirm the architect’s design approach and methodology
• Define who will manage the project
• Define whether the architect will help you hire a contractor
• Define who will review the contractor’s work as the job proceeds and what the criteria are for evaluating its progress
• Establish whether design adjustments can be accommodated as the work progresses

Reputation and Referrals

If you really like a certain home’s style, ask the owner about the architect they worked with. Finding out about an architect’s experience is a great way to determine if this is someone you should short-list for your project. Ask the home-owner questions like: “Did you get everything you wanted out of your new house or renovation? Was your architect easy to communicate and work with? Did they manage the project with the builder?” This will give you an indication on how easy, or difficult, it will be working with the architect. If you do end up contacting them about your project, don’t be afraid to ask for further referrals or to ask about their experience, process and approach.

• Confirm the architect has relevant experience
• Contact past clients and ask about their experience
• Ask your architect candidates for referrals; follow up with their references
• Are they collaborative and easy to work with?
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions: you’re building or renovating your home; you have a right to be satisfied with the results!

Communication and Rapport

Having clear and collaborative communication with your residential architect will be crucial—you might say it's a cornerstone of any successful architectural project. You and the architect you hire both have responsibilities which the two of you must define and must make sure the other understands. As the client, you must clarify your preferred styles, your tastes and your overall goals for the project, along with any other special requirements. Your architect, on the other hand, must understand your aesthetic taste and your project's requirements, as well as making clear to you any challenges that they have identified with the project before getting started. To facilitate your conversations about your project, you should discuss it in detail, making use of specific visual references as often as possible.

Selecting a residential architect whom you're comfortable working with is an incredibly important part of this process. It’s crucial that you find someone with whom you will enjoy a professional relationship that includes mutual respect and clear communication. You should always feel comfortable enough to ask questions or request have things explained more clearly, so make sure you are hiring an architect who will deliver this experience.

• Make clear your desired style and project goals
• Communicate clearly in plain language
• Clarify and understand any project challenges
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Ensure you feel comfortable
• Use examples and visual aids

Conclusion

When you hire a residential architect—whether you're building your dream home from the ground up or expanding your home to add a beautiful new section—you are hiring someone who will shape where you live. For this reason, it's important to hire someone whose work you love and whose character you respect. A residential architecture project should be something that gets you excited, not something that leaves you frustrated or disappointed. The first step to ensuring your project turns out perfectly is picking the right person for the job. Good luck!

Categorized in: Helpful Resources, Lorne Rose Architect