Clients & Customers
I feel my clients hire me to look after their building project in the same way that a patient hires a doctor to care for their health…
Joining the AI…ehhhh
Image: Vintage Drafting tools, copyright Adobe Stock/Grigory I am a loyal, frustrated, enthusiastic, passive member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). I watch it commit tactical errors, abandon initiatives, be fleeced by corporate sponsors (full disclosure: I was one such sponsor in a past career), and generally spend too much time looking in the […]
New Rules Mean Adding an ADU to Your California Home is Easier Than Ever
Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs may seem like a very new and different type of housing, but the term ADU actually refers only to the home’s legal status, not its physical characteristics. Small houses and apartments, whether called Granny units, In-law suites, cottages, Tiny Homes or just studios, have existed as long as there have […]
Architect Lexicon: Challenge
CHALLENGE. OPPORTUNITY. OBSTACLE. We often say that we don’t like problems, but, in fact, we can’t live without them. More precisely, we can’t make a living without them. Problems are so important, that architects (most professions, actually) have three words for them. Challenge: Any problem before it has been analyzed. “Well, Ms Jones, razing a […]
DNM Architecture is Part of the 2030 AIA Commitment.
Becoming a 2030 signatory is a commitment to addressing one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century and becoming a leader in fighting climate change. According to AIA surveys, 2030 signatories are more likely to value energy efficiency and to use energy modeling than other architects. We are also more likely than their peers […]
Portfolio, Perspective, and Process
I attended a lunchtime seminar about firm marketing sponsored by the AIA a couple of months ago and learned something! But, that’s not the only news. The presenter – an apparently successful marketing consultant for professional service companies in the northwest – made the pretty basic point that an architect’s project portfolio is not the […]
The Value of an Architect
Through education, training and experience, an architect is the one professional person who is equipped to guide you through the design, permitting and construction of a building or renovation project. Unlike other specialized professionals (that may also be needed) such as structural engineers, mechanical engineers, geotechnical engineers, an architect is trained to be a generalist, […]
Distinguishing Profession From Business
Recently, I was reminded of a good article by Richard Farson, a former AIA Public Director, from arcCA, the journal of the AIA California Council. The paragraph that resonated most with me – and should with any professional – is (emphasis is mine): “(The AIA) has to make a distinction as to whether architecture is […]
What services should I expect the architect to provide?
The services provided by architects and their consultants can vary according to numerous factors, such as the project type and complexity, the client’s needs, the city’s permitting requirements, the way in which the contractor will be selected, and the budget. The contract between the owner and the architect should clearly list what services will be […]
How much does an architect cost?
Contact Us Now For Your Estimate! Hiring an architect is expensive, but not as expensive as not hiring an architect! By helping you anticipate, evaluate and solve problems before they become built problems, the up-front cost of an architect can pay for itself many times over. As a very general guideline, an architect’s fees […]