The design process is a constant cycle of feedback and critique. For some building owners, giving design feedback is a new experience. While you may have no problem with compliments, saying “I don’t like it” may feel uncomfortable.

When starting a building project, you may wonder if you will work with an architect, an interior designer, or both. The line between the two professions often blurs, leading to confusion. You may also wonder when you will plan your building’s interior and how the process will work.

On average, people spend 90% of their time indoors. While interior spaces are necessary for most daily activities, they often cut off our access to nature. Thankfully, designers can bring the outdoors inside.

Sustainability is an important part of every building project. With buildings accounting for nearly 40% of carbon emissions, designers and owners have a responsibility to the planet.

A standard brick and mortar building was once the only option for new construction. Today, the market has expanded to offer lower-cost alternatives. If you’re operating on a tight budget, you may be considering a pre-engineered metal building.

Renovating your workspace is an exciting opportunity to improve productivity, enhance your culture, and plan your organization’s future. It’s a chance to create an environment where people feel excited to work.

Material selection is a part of every building project. Whether you’re planning a home renovation or a multi-million-dollar corporate campus, your design team will ask for your input on façade treatments, flooring, paint colors, and more.

Whether you represent a public school, university, or municipality, you may need to go through a bidding process to secure a contractor. While public bidding promotes competition, it also adds a layer of complexity to a building project. You and your architect may need to check some extra boxes to ensure the process runs smoothly.

Next time you walk into a building, pay attention to the details. Every material—from the flooring to the door handle—has been carefully selected by a design team. If you start a building project of your own, you will take part in the exciting process of selecting materials.

Architects wear many hats. Their job is to manage costs, lead you through the design and construction process, and coordinate with consultants and vendors. But perhaps most importantly, architects find design solutions that work for your organization and give you the greatest value for your dollar.