Architecture
Advice
Why should you hire an architect?
Building is a complicated task. Most people are unaware of the vast number of building codes, zoning laws, contractors, materials, and designs. The architect is here to help you wade through the numerous laws and codes.
The architect,
as a professional, with years of training and experience can
guide you through the design and construction process as well
as provide you with the most cost effective options and construction
methods. Through his/her experience, he can help you to see alternative
options to your design needs that you may not have thought of
yourself.
Who is the right architect for you?
Architecture, from a design point of view , varies with taste and varies from architect to architect. This also applies to methods of work. So what criteria should you use in choosing your architect?
First of all, you need to find a list of potential architects. See whether you're able to obtain any referrals from family, friends, or the names of architects who's work you like. Assemble a list of potential architects and contact each of them. Outline your project to them and be sure to ask for literature showing past experience. If they are unable to take your project, then ask them to suggest another firm.
Consider what each firm has to offer and narrow your choices. After you've considered what each firm has to offer you'll need to contact each of them in person. You will want to ask if there is a consulting fee for the interview. The interview will most likely take an hour. Consider the firms design philosophy, their experience, the time that they can dedicate to you, and their approach. Remember you'll be working with whoever you decide on for a while, so be sure that you can get along with him/her and that you understand him/her. If the architect isn't being clear then perhaps he/she is not the right one for you.
Your final decision,
after meeting with each firm, should rest on your trust in the
architect's abilities to satisfy your design needs at a reasonable
cost.
For the first
time client, architect fees may be a bit confusing. Remember
you're hiring a service, not buying a product, so prices and
methods of payment vary from architect to architect. Fee's depend
not only on the architect but can also depend on the project
type. They can be charged hourly, by the square foot, by the
percentage of construction costs, by the unit (e.g. apartment
complex ), or a flat fixed fee. Whatever method your architect
uses, be sure to discuss it with him before you make your final
decision. The fee, and payment schedule are both items that you
and the architect should work out together.
Where can I find more information?
If you'd like more information on how to choose an architect the American Institute of Architects (AIA) provides a beginner's guide on choosing an architect.
It should also
be noted that membership in the AIA indicated that the architect
subscribes to a professional code of ethics and has access to
a variety of both professional and technical resources. Your
local AIA chapter should be able to provide you with a list of
architects, and the type of projects that they handle.
Architect Led Construction !!!
Construction Management
A Cost Saving Construction Method
Today's owners are keeping an eye on costs. Architect-provided construction management (architect/CM) provides a way to accomplish this goal. The resulting possibility for reducing construction cost and project time may allow a project to be completed that might otherwise have failed. Owners don't want to deal with overlapping costs while having the architect provide construction administration services when he could be participating in the construction directly and have the project be built the way it was designed. In most common delivery methods, owners are subject to forces beyond their control that can have a great effect on both design decisions and the financial outcome. In the design-award-build approach, the contractor drives the construction schedule and thus the architect's time during construction. Design/build may place the architect under the contractor's control, and this can affect both design and income. A separate construction manager (CM) as the owner's agent can result in design restrictions and place the architect in the position of having responsibility without authority. When the architect is the construction manager, the administration of the entire process remains with the architect. The owner gets design conscious construction sometimes at half the profit and overhead charged by the Contractor.
Process and Services
The procedure is as follows:
- Upon schematic design approval, the architect/CM begins preparing bid packages that allow specialty trade contractors to bid directly to the owner, which enables the owner to pay their prices directly without a general contractor's markup. There may be twenty to twenty-five prime contracts for a new project in the $500,000 to $5,000,000 construction cost range.
- The firm assigns a construction manager from its staff to work with the project architect in preparing these packages. The CM provides information on materials availability, scheduling, constructability, and costs of materials and systems. This helps the project architect make design decisions more rapidly and with greater confidence. The project architect and CM write the specifications together, eliminating loss of understanding of design intent as the project moves from design development to construction.
- When the packages
are bid, the firm places the CM on the job to coordinate the
specialty contractors' work. The CM has a well-established rapport
with the project architect and represents the owner's interests
on the site on a daily basis. The project architect reviews general
progress; approves shop drawings, submittals, and change orders;
and certifies contractor requests for payment-after careful review
by the CM.
Keys to Success
The construction manager. The architect's construction manager is the first key. The project architects may be the construction manager or the two roles may be accomplished by different individuals-depending on the needs of the projects, the skills of the individuals, and the overall staffing needs of the firm.
The schedule. Of all the procedures needed for a successful construction management process, the schedule is the prime element. The schedule organizes the forces and directs the energies of all the performers toward the successful completion of the project. The schedule is prepared by the CM during the preparation of the construction documents and is included in the specifications. Bidders use the schedule to prepare their prices. The CM maintains the schedule during construction through weekly meetings with the contractors and a rigorous telephone program to verify delivery of all materials and equipment at the job site.
The bid packages. It is necessary to define the bid packages carefully, clearly indicating on the drawings and specifications which contractor is to perform each portion of the work. Gaps in the bid packages result in change orders. The more CM projects you do, the fewer the gaps.
The owner. To make the service work, owners must provide more performance. In place of a single construction contract, there are perhaps twenty to twenty-five contracts. This results in an increase in paperwork for both the owner and the architect. Preparing construction contracts and monthly review of the contractors' requests for payment is a normal duty for the CM; maintaining contractual responsibilities with this many contractors increases the owner's responsibility.
Benefits
By providing construction management as an integral part of architecture services, we have found that an architecture firm-small or large-can
- Save substantial project construction cost for the owner in addition to better design/construction integration, this approach replaces general contractors' markups, overhead and superintendence costs with a CM fee (which is typically less than the costs replaced).
- Complete projects faster while maintaining high quality design and construction. The architect can save substantial construction time by developing a careful schedule during design, publishing it in the specs, and providing the CM service to make sure it is followed.
- Provide owners with a single source of responsibility for design and construction coordination.
- Most important,
the architect/CM's demonstration of total project leadership,
from initial design concepts through final inspection, can build
owner confidence in the architect and in the design and construction
process.
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