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From Dawson Wissmach Architects
By Richard Wissmach AIA
Whether you’re planning to build a new house or renovate an older one, one of the first considerations is whether or not you will need the help of an architect.
Often, the answer will be that you do not.
I say that because so many people think that they if they are to build new house, they must start from scratch on the drawing board with home design. There are, in fact, any number of good plan books available and wonderful builders to implement those plans. Granted, the designers of the plans in the plan books do not know you and your family. They do, however, know a great deal about how various types of families like to live, what they can afford to spend on a house and what makes a house hold value over time. You may indeed find your dream home in one of those books.
There are also many reputable builders who build high quality homes and have strong in-house design teams to help you with modifications to existing plans. Similarly, if you are renovating an old home and not planning to expand it dramatically, professional renovators may be able to take you through the entire process.
If you can find what you want without the need for an architect, there is no reason to feel that you should have one. There are, however, at least three circumstances that do require an architect:
1. When you want to take advantage of specific aspects of the home site you have chosen.
2. When you cannot find a plan that has everything you need.
3. When you want a certain aesthetic for your home that calls for a one-of-a-kind design.
A Site with Potential
Your home site itself may dictate the need for an architect to design your home to capture the site’s unique characteristics. There may be a special tree that you want to save and feature. Other site assets such as water views, unusual grades or unusual lot configurations present design opportunities. It’s much easier to take advantage of those opportunities at the design stage than to try to fit them in after construction has started. We have even, on occasion, brought in a bucket truck to take a homeowner up to the second floor level to check out the views before finalizing plans.
An architect can integrate the site planning into the house design so that your family has outdoor spaces for favorite activities as well as views out to those spaces from inside. For the family that wants a seamless transition from the indoors to out, an architect’s expertise is almost always required.
Optimal siting of a home can capture views and breezes, create a sense of approach, and maximize natural light. On the practical side, the placement of the house on the site and the window placement can make a home more comfortable and more energy efficient.
When No Plan Works
Sometimes prospective homeowners who never dreamed of having a custom home seek the help of an architect after looking at plan after plan without finding everything in one plan. It may just be that no one plan has everything you need, or it could be that your family wants to live a specific way, and no plan book design anticipates your lifestyle.
Perhaps your family has special requirements for an in-law suite that provides proximity while maintaining privacy all in a “no stairs” environment. Or it could be a need for an unusually large entertaining space, a specialized hobby or home business area, or accommodation for a specific disability.
When you cannot find a plan that works for you, it’s time to talk with an architect.
One of a Kind
Finally, if you want to have a home that is uniquely yours, that fits your family “like a glove,” the right architect will help you attain it. Custom architectural plans of this type make it possible for you to design the house around family heirlooms and furniture or even incorporate the timbers from the old family barn right in your new home.
If you have a preference for a specific style or look, an architect can help you achieve it with authenticity. It becomes your home, your way — with professional architectural oversight that takes into consideration all of the possibilities to come up with the custom details that are right for you and your family.
The long and the short of it is that when there are a number of unresolved design issues — whether they be the siting your house, the basic size and relationship of spaces, or creating the one-of-a-kind design for the home your dreams — the help of an architect is an enormous asset. Your architect is with you when you first start talking about designs for your home. This means that those ideas are explored and decisions made on paper rather than on site. Creating a new home is a process, and it’s important to have all the details in place before you move from design to construction. With the help of an architect you will.