Pragmatic Architects: More Building, Less Drama

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Your project will go much better if you get your architects and contractors working together. Make sure to either hire them under the same contract (IPD or Design-Build) or make a portion of their profits shared, and therefore contingent on working together. This encourages teamwork and discourages fighting.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Owners who hire contractors after the design is already finished are missing out on lots of real-world feedback that builders can give. They're also opening themselves up to the Spearin doctrine, a legal responsibility to cover all costs to the builders related to errors in the architect's drawings. This costs you lots of unnecessary money.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Ask about their attitude toward collaborating with clients and with builders. Many old-school architects treat this as an inconvenience and a hindrance. "Leave me alone so I can draw," is their attitude. It's quite possible to find architects who are competent, without all the ego.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Our firm emphasizes training in project management much more than most architecture firms, which means your project gets done more efficiently and with fewer mistakes.