Design & Architecture HandbookHiring a design professional for a residential orsmall commercial project may be a processthat is unfamiliar to you. You may know adesign professional but be unclear about whatone can do for you, or you may not knowwhere to find design professionals and how toselect the one who best fits your needs. Thishandbook should answer many of yourquestions and help clarify the process.The guide will help you understand the role ofthe various project suppliers and the value heor she can bring to your effort. Included isadvice on choosing the right designprofessional and structuring the workingrelationship. The section on the design andconstruction process can help you outline aproject approach that is suitable to you. series of !worksheets" and !questions" #forms that you complete before you begindesign # will be invaluable tools as you workthrough your project.budget worksheetassists you in estimating project costs and feesto be paid for the professional services ofdesigners, design professionals, engineers, andother consultants. There are $% questions toask yourself to define e&pectations for you andyour project manager and $' questions to askyour design professionals about her(hisphilosophy and approach.Architect vs. Designersk most architects to describe the differenceand they)ll say architects are the only onesqualified to handle the big picture of adevelopment project. sk most designers thesame question and they)ll say they are theonly ones qualified to focus on the allimportantdetails.It isn)t e&actly the Hatfields and *c+oys, butthere has always been some tension betweenarchitects and designers. ,ure, they say theywork well together -- and to be fair, they oftendo -- but players in both industries are quick topoint out not only what sets them apart, butalso the advantages each can provide.There are differences in what each can providetheir clients, so in many ways it comes downto knowing e&actly what you want and need ina project, and figuring out who can bestprovide the service. rchitects believe theyknow more about the nuts and bolts of aproject, be it structural, electrical, whatever,than a design firm. .esigners would counterA guide to understanding thedesign & building processthat today/s +. drafting software hasdramatically leveled that playing field and theire&pertise of interior space planning andfunction far outweighs the structural aspects.They also point out that independent structuralengineers handle most structural specifications+osts and benefits0 1hile both sides talk ofrespect for the other, there are some obviousdifferences that both e&ploit. The generalperception is that designers often cost lessthan architects, but generally don)t have asmuch speciali2ed training or e&pertise as anarchitecture firm. *ost on both sides say that)sfairly accurate - that training and certificationis the most obvious difference, although it)sunfair to assume that designers don)t have asmuch e&pertise on approaching a project.Working with your designer1hether you choose to work with an architector a designer, he or she will be the professionalwho guides you through the design andconstruction process.design professionallistens to you and serves as your advocatethroughout your project. He or she translatesyour wishes into built form, addressescompliance with state and city regulations,oversees the work of the builder, andcoordinates all technical and aesthetic aspectsof your project. Your design professional solvesspace problems, manages your budget,protects your project from unreasonable e&tracosts, and resolves disputes that may arisewith your town, engineer or builder.Jim HackettOwner / DesignerAJ Hackett Designs805.!".0!!"a#hackettdesigns$co%.netwww.a#hackettdesigns.comCONTENTSIntroductionArchitect vs. DesignerWorking with ProfessionalsValue of ProfessionalsBenefts of Project LeadershipHow to be a good clientBuilder RoleProject ScheduleSelecting a /ArchitectSelection Criteria20 questions to askArchitectural & Design FeesStructuring The RelationshipBudget WorksheetThe Building Process7 Typical Project StepsPost ConstructionAdditional Resources21 Questions to Ask YourselfDesign ProfessionalDesignationsWeb Resourcesthis material and are sub#ect tochange without notice.&econd home article here*any design professionals are members of themerican Institute of rchitects 3I4 or theInstitute of +lassical rchitecture and +lassicmerica 3I+5+4. .esign professionals whoare members of the I and(or I+5+ havenumerous opportunities to continueprofessional training, timely access toinformation on classical building materials andtechnologies and, perhaps most important,ongoing, professional relationships with otherI and(or I+5+ members who include someof the most skilled practitioners in the nation.*any types of people are available today towork on design and construction projects #designers, architects, space planners, interiordecorators, design(build companies, engineers,and other consultantsThe design professional is the professionalproject manager who listens to you, interpretsyour wishes, and helps reali2e your buildingdreams. The design professional is a counselor,planner, designer, mediator, work coordinator,and business administrator. .esignprofessionals add value at every stage of theproject, from initial conceptual design throughconstruction completion. Your designer orarchitect performs a number of importantfunctions06 Translates your wants and needs into a planfor construction.Your hopes and dreams for your project maybe vague and abstract and are usuallye&pressed in words. The design professional/sjob is to work with you to translate them into avisual and technical prescription forconstruction that is very detailed. The goal isfor you, your design professional, and yourbuilder to share the same, very specifice&pectations about materials, quality,workmanship, and other outcomes. This isusually an educational process for everyone,during which all decisions should be recordedon paper and all construction details andinstructions carefully documented.6 .esigns custom work and installations7ach building has a special history, every sitehas unusual conditions, and every client hasunique goals, desires, and requirements. Thedesign professional seeks a design solution thatunites all of these and reflects your uniquepersonality and style of living or working.6 8repares drawings and specifications.rawings and specifications are the graphic andverbal descriptions of the project. Theydescribe your preferences and wishes for theproject you are building and are used todocument decisions about the project/s si2e,function, organi2ation, and aesthetics. Theyprescribe the engineers/ requirements forstructural stability, climate control, drainage,and electrical service. These documents aresubmitted to your town in order to obtain abuilding permit so construction can begin9 theyare used by the city building inspector todetermine that your project will meet localbuilding requirements..rawings and specifications prepared by thedesign professional also are the basis for therelationship between you as the owner(clientand your contractor 3builder4. They can beused for bidding by contractors so you cancompare several builders/ estimated projectcosts, construction schedules, and logisticsplans. :nce you choose a builder, plans andspecifications are used as ;contract documents/3instructions to your contractor4 and the basisof your written agreement with your contractorabout e&actly what work is to be done and atwhat cost.*any design professionals, particularly inlarger firms, prepare their drawings on acomputer using +.. 3computer-aideddrafting and design4 software. +omputergenerateddrawings may take less time toprepare than those that are hand-drawn, canbe revised easily, and are especially useful forrepetitive design elements often found onlarger commercial or institutional projects.However, computer-aided design drawings arenot necessary for most residential and smallcommercial projects. +omputer-aideddrawings are simply one of many tools adesign professional uses.6 Helps you address building codes 5regulations