The homeowners whose homes are featured on this year’s Homes by Architects Tour can tell you that the relationship you and your architect establish can make a big impact on your project. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re considering which architect is right for you.
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Find an architect who shares your values.
Looking at an architect’s website can give you a lot of information about special skills or knowledge an architect possesses and show you what range of projects they have worked with in the past. The owners of Home #3 were interested in sustainable building techniques, and found an architect with experience and interest in that area.
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Don’t be afraid to discuss budget up front.
The owners of Home #5 at first thought the best solution for their situation was to add on square footage. But when they learned that adding on to the home would be out of their budget range, their architect proposed an alternative design solution that reconfigured the space they already had, resulting in costs that were more in line with their budget. Discussions about money are often intimidating, but architects are sensitive to the financial needs of their clients and want to provide reasonable solutions.
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Interview the architect.
Learning how your personality meshes with your potential architect is a valuable indicator of how successful your project will be. This was true of the owners of Home #8, who say they experienced a collaborative, “wonderful working relationship” with architect Meriwether Felt, AIA. In fact, the couple has worked with Felt on several different projects on the same home over the years.
Advance tour tickets may be purchased online or at AIA Minnesota beginning in August for $15 (until 2 p.m. on September 18). They will also be available at each home during tour weekend for $20 for a full ticket or $10 for an individual home.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit homesbyarchitects.org. Follow us on Facebook (HBA Tour) and Twitter (@aiamn #hbatour).
The 2015 Homes by Architects Tour is supported by Marvin Windows and Doors; Midwest Home; Streeter & Associates; Kolbe Gallery Twin Cities; Kroiss Development; RLH Studio; Mattson MacDonald Young; Synergy Products; Warners’ Stellian; Braaten Creative Woods; Jodi Gillespie Interior Design; Fiddlehead Design Group; Otto Painting Design; TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders; and American Mortgage & Equity Consultants.
Presented by AIA Minnesota
Photo by Troy Thies