Daniel Dominique Watts email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-dominique-watts-47191515 Over 25 years of Architectural Experience Architectural Consultant service for Chicagoland & Midwest states. Specializing in: Organic / Green Architecture; High-end Commercial; Solar: Passive/ Active systems; retail & residential; Preservation; Frank Lloyd Wright Specialist & author-2015 |
10 Questions to ask Designers/ Architects before starting designs (from https://www.curbed.com/2016/7/15/12171696/architect-questions-to- ask) & "Answers" from my own thoughts added. 1) Do you have contractor and client references/letters to read A: Yes, see my references tab 2) How much time do I need to commit, and when? A: Architects deal with clients that are "hands-off" & clients who "want to be involved in 'detail'ed decisions". Be clear about the "type" of client you are, & ask your designer the time commitment they expect from you. It is recommended that clients be as specific as possible on when they’re able to meet —what time is best, whether you’d like to meet in person or talk by phone. Often clients aren't available to meet during business hours so they should make sure that their architect/designer is available to meet either on weekends, evenings, early mornings, etc. 3) How can I be helpful in the process? A: Not sure which type of client you will be, or how involved you want to be with your designer? Then ask! It's recommended you first understand the organizational process already in use, then ask how you can be most helpful within it. "Understanding timelines and workflow helps set clients at ease knowing they can anticipate certain updates or documents to be sent for their review at a certain timeline". Having a thorough conversation at the beginning of the process with a vision in place & personal preferences on hand helps your designer hone in on the right solution." A: Having been inspired by a previous mentor I worked for in my home town & another in Des Moines that used the same system & again I found used by a friend/ Frank Lloyd Wright Apprentice John Lautner who sadly also passed away since my knowing them all, they had a great tool for clients to use. What TOOL? A (3) section ringed notebook - wide lined that a client can use to write down thoughts regarding their "project" & for adding photos, clipped data, etc. I can get into specifics after an initial meeting/ site visit. It can be helpful in the design process as well as organizing/ isolating your thoughts for the project. 4. What's your fee structure & what can I expect in costs? A: There is NO set standards for Architects/ Designers since 1990 when a Gov't law forbid firms listing price minimums for firms. This was so they couldn't unionize/standardize the market. It limited uniformly to keep rates equal & kept a competition/free market. Hence, every firm uses different fee structures or methods to charge for their services, but any reputable firm will be able to share their service rates quickly. "Be open about your budget". Cost limitations are extremely critical, since quality work can be very expensive. Make sure your designer is open with you about any additional costs that may not be spelled out in service fees or your contract. "These are often extra construction administration hours or amendments/changes to the drawings due to changes during construction". "If the client anticipates these costs, then it doesn't come as a surprise later, so it helps to ask the question & get a detailed response from the firm of these potential scenarios." 5. What are the important issues, considerations, & challenges of my project? A: From my experiences --This is usually done after a site visit & initial meetings, usually prior to any concepts or designs are started. However it can also occur in renovation, additions, & preservation work as well as new work if any constraints are noticed or come into being. Sometimes it's not anything that affects a budget or time to fix designs or construction, & sometimes it greatly affects everything including limiting your budget due to removal of unknown site items below ground, buried behind walls being restored / renovated, or otherwise not visible upon site visits, or knowledge from utility companies. A: It's recommended you get the big picture view from your firm, picking their brain about what particular elements stand out. They’ll also have insight about construction, city approvals, and design challenges you may not have been considered or been aware of. Also ask if the firm has previously tackled a similar project to yours. Every project type has its ups/ downs & experience with these is essential. Knowing how to solve problems and knowing what worked last time as well as what if anything didn't work so well. Things that may affect your project can be soil type, soil load bearing limits, underground aquifers, ground gases like argon gas, site debris, grading/steep slopes, roadway access, utility source locations, site vegetation - village 'tree' or 'siting/ setback' ordinances. 6. What will you show along the way to explain the project? A: Ask your architect how he/she will be showing your project to you before the construction process starts. Will there be models, drawings, computer animations? This is a good time to bounce around ideas, express critiques, & make adjustments."Ask for sketches of alternative designs, request product samples or showroom visits to get a realistic feel for various possibilities." A: I feel these "phases" of the project are vitally important & place alot of efforts into as many possible solutions as I can think of for the time allotted. 7. Are you insured? You will want to know, very simply, if your design firm is insured. If so, what level of insurance do they have? Ask if the architect has "any open claims against them or their firm." A: I do not have any claims against me in the past or present. Your chosen Contractors / Subs should as well ALL be insured. Plumbing, Mech., Electr. Engineers are insured and stamp their drawings. 8. What’s your role with the contractor? Once construction starts, much of the project will be in the hands of your contractor. Many design firms will recommend contractors they have a good track record with, but you’ll want to ask how the firm plans to work with them during your project. What role does the architect plan to take on with the contractor, or will you be expected to deal with the contractor directly? A: You can chose your own contractor if you have one you prefer or it can be put out to open bid. I will deal with the contractor. In all cases the best choice for a GREEN friendly Contractor should be made to reduce building waste. 9. Who’s on my team? Often, there are many different people at a firm that will contribute to your project & you’ll be working with. Ask for introductions. "Learning more about the team that will be working with you is also incredibly important". Very often you will meet a principal that you love, but are working with a project manager 75 percent of the time that is too junior or may not gel with. Who will be designing your project?" A: I work mostly by myself or as needed with other colleagues/ professionals as the situation may arise. Electrical,mechanical,plumbing Engineers review/ add to the work as it progresses. I do not "farm-out" designs. I do not use any "junior" or mid-level designers. If you hire me, I am involved at every step and do whatever I can to go above & beyond your expectations, which is always my goal. 10. How can we reduce the environmental impact & reduce waste? Most firms are happy to work with you to design more environmentally sustainable buildings, & there’s a chance the firm will integrate low or no cost sustainable design strategies into your project. If it’s something you’re interested in, ask about the type of green design they have experience with, & what the pros / cons may be moving ahead with it. "Reducing the impact on the environment is important to us, and we’re open to discussing the benefits". "it expands the time and many times budget… but there are certain tax benefits that come along with certification." A: I could not agree more. Sustainable architecture is architecture that seeks to minimize negative environmental impacts on buildings by efficiency & moderation in the use of materials, energy, development space & the eco- system at large. A: I try to do when possible sustainable designs & encourage using low / no Odor "green" products. I have done this in most of my work since 1977, always trying to utilize free heat from the sun with passive panels/ storage systems I have created/ modified/ developed, & utilizing active solar systems for any heating / cooling or electrical needs as possible. I personally have used in my own homes whole house instant hot water systems by ECOSmart since 1998. They are very easy to maintain (1-2 times/yr) even though I use now one with my well water & septic system. I do not have an active panel system currently but pan to completely go off-grid in the near future. I'm still tinkering since 2001 in my head for a better cooling system than the marketplace has available. I have some prototype ideas for resilient cooling tubes (Aug. 2019) that were successfully used to modify an existing "old balloon frame 1920s home where standard cooling /central air ducts just simply were too large/noisy/bulky to fit. I also feel radiant or gravity heat for winter use is the better system to use vs. conventional "furnace / heat exchangers". Radiant cooling can be used in climates requiring cooling in summer months. In my opinion, having "any" blowing air in your home is not the best solution for your health that can be made, or for the home / building or using gas or propane. Solar can be used to integrate into systems.Frank Lloyd Wright was of the same exact opinion in 1938 which is why Wright came up with gravity heat as he called it ( radiant floor heating is the more popular term today). Q: How do I assure I will get a project which makes very little building waste during the construction process? A: I try to do this myself and ask the same of every possible contractor or sub working on a project. So hire a GOOD GREEN Architect who uses GREEN Contractors/subs. It just simply makes more sense to be environmentally friendly and have little waste from building materials. The GOOD NEWS is that most building waste material can be recycled if needed as well. |