Residential Design Teams

The three main team members on any project are the owner, architect, and general contractor. Other professionals involved are a structural engineer, a geo-technical engineer, an interior designer, landscape architect, an arborist, a mechanical engineer, and often a sound system designer. The structural engineer is hired by the architect and their fee is included in the architectural fee. The other professionals will either have contracts directly with the owner or billed as a reimbursable expense.

Owners: The most important team member. There are three intertwined factors involved in the design and construction of a house; 1) project size, 2) cost, 3) quality of construction and detailing. To stay within budget; the owners determine which of the two factors are most important to them. The architect then has control the third factor. The owners involvement throughout the project varies from owner to owner; you can be involved in every selection or rely on the professionals and approve the design decisions at each junction.

Architect: The architect is responsible for translating the owners program into a design that is appropriate for the site and client. The architect is responsible for coordinating with the other professionals. The architect produces drawings and specifications to communicate the design to others. The architect will also present the designs to any review boards.

Structural Engineer: The structural engineer is responsible for ensuring that the structure is designed to meet the local building and hurricane codes.

Geo-technical Engineer: The soils are tested by the geo-technical engineer to determine their bearing capacity. This information is used by the structural engineer in the design of the foundation.

Interior Designer: The interior designer works with the architect and owner in selecting the interior finishes, furniture, fixtures, and window treatments.

Landscape Architect: The landscape architect works with the architect and owner in the design of all exterior spaces, finishes and plant material.

Arborist: We often recommend the use of a certified arborist when there are significant trees on the property that we want to protect. The arborist will trim the dead wood and deep fertilize the trees prior to construction.

General Contractor: This is the team member who actually builds the project based on the drawings and specifications provided by the design professionals.

The Value of an Architect

I was recently asked "On what kinds of projects is an architect absolutely recommended for residential projects? "

As incoming president elect of American Institute of Architects/South Carolina Chapter, I might appear to be biased but architects add value to all projects.

1. The architect’s trained eye will help the homeowner make the best decisions for their project and often save the client money. In one project, my client thought they needed a major kitchen renovation. We relocated one door and all the traffic flow problems were solved.
2. 
   The architect can connect you house to the site and take advantage of the views and breezes. We have numerous renovation projects where the original house was a plan book house that was plopped down with a total disregard to the uniqueness of the site. By adding windows and exterior living spaces the homeowner can enjoy the view that they moved to the Lowcountry to see.
3. 
   Architects are fully conversant in the local building and zoning codes. Another client hired me after they had started a project with an unlicensed jack-of-all-trades. The under-construction guest house was a dysfunctional unsafe mess. We were able to salvage the project to meet their needs and the building code.
4. 
   Your architect will work with you on the scope of your project and material selections to ensure that the design meets your needs and budget requirements. Making all the design decisions prior to construction is the only way to ensure that your project stays on time and on budget.
5. 
   The architect prepares a complete set of construction documents that are a graphic and written record of decisions made. The drawings are considered complete in that they include all the information that a contractor needs to build the project. This also allows bids from contractors to be comparable.
6. 
   Finally, architects are invaluable during the construction phase as the owner’s advocate. They review the work and advise the client regarding design compliance. They also review and advise on the appropriateness of change orders. The architect is with you through good and bad; they help the contractor understand the design intent; and they ensure that decisions made during construction are consistent with the decisions made during design.