A building project has many moving parts. Along with an architect, you will also need to hire a contractor. For some, this process can seem daunting—especially if you are taking on your first project and are unsure of your options.

Site selection is a crucial component of any building project. The process involves analyzing your options and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Whether you have a site in mind or you don’t know where to begin, an architect can help.

Visualization is foundational to the design process. When working with an architect, you’ll encounter many ideas and concepts. Visualizing these concepts and understanding the design intent will help you find solutions that fit your needs.

Value engineering (also known as value management) is the process of analyzing a building’s features, systems, and equipment and finding alternative, lower price solutions. It aims to reduce a project’s construction costs without sacrificing quality.

imagine: Your architect has finished the contract documents, and your project has gone out to bid. Then, the worst-case scenario happens–the lowest responsible bid is over your budget. You now face a difficult decision. Either you can find more funding, or your architect can start the value engineering process.

The Covid-19 pandemic changed the way we work. When lockdowns went into effect in 2020, many organizations had to adjust to working remotely—a model that many came to embrace.

The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is the industry’s most rigorous measure of sustainable design. Overseen by Living Future, it aims to cultivate building practices that enhance community life and benefit the planet.

Bidding/negotiation can be an exciting and nerve-racking portion of a building project. On the one hand, you get closer to starting construction and seeing your project come to life. On the other, you may be confused about the process and worried about the result.

Schedules and deadlines are some of the most important aspects of a building project. While everyone hopes to see a project delivered on time, many factors can delay a construction timeline. Some factors are based on human error, and others are beyond anyone’s control. It helps to be aware of both.

You’ve been working closely with your architect for months, exploring concepts, and making design decisions. Suddenly, Design Development ends, and you hear from your architect less frequently.