The Players' Roles

(or contractor, decorator, or anyone else who may help you with your construction)

There are two distinct aspects that you should considered in the selection process: the process (the working relationship), and the product (what you live in after the trucks finally leave). While you will experience the process for what may seem like an eternity, you will ultimately live in the product. Ideally you will find professionals who provide both an enjoyable process and a superb product, but it's worth considering them separately to understand what value you place on each.

Process covers the less tangible aspects of the architect's performance, including:

• Personality- Good listening and communication skills, sense of humor, empathy, patience, and flexibility are all important.
• Organization- The architect's practice should be organized to provide ready access to relevant information, and the ability to manage workflow so that deadlines are met.
• Professionalism- Your architect must be able to represent you and your interests to a various entities including tradespeople, zoning boards, etc.
• Communication skills- Communication, both verbal and written/drawn, is key to everything the architect does, from developing the program with you, to creating the construction documents, to overseeing the process.
• Attention to detail- Architecture has many, many details, and some of them are critical. An inaccurate measurement could mean scrapping the whole project if it turned out to be in violation of a zoning setback. While an easy-going nature will make meetings more enjoyable, there must be a rigor with regards to the work itself.

• Creativity and Ingenuity- These talents are fundamental to the architect's ability to create something that both solves your practical requirements and delights you at the same time.
• Experience- Most of the lessons of design and construction cannot be taught, they must be learned through experience. They range from practical tidbits like locating light switches where they won't be crowded by door casing, to more spacial skills like curving a ceiling to soften the feeling of a room. The more projects the architect has completed, the broader a range of knowledge and solutions they bring to your project.
• Knowledge of materials, tools, and techniques- The materials that are selected, and the ways they are joined and installed into your home, are of primary importance in how your home looks, feels, and works. Poor material choices will prove frustrating and disappointing over time. Materials that crack, shrink, or rot must be replaced at a far higher cost than choosing the proper material in the first place. Similarly, the architect must be able to specify methods of construction to ensure that your home will age well, and that the joinery stays as tight as when it was installed.