Q. for the architects

6 years ago

Would you be offended if asked to modify a house which you've proudly shown on social media and posted extensively on your website?

Background: The town where we plan to live has only one architect these days. He designed several lovely houses, one of which has been on the market for a while. The nearby city no longer has any residential architects. Housing is dominated by tract builders. We'd hoped to build a custom home but there are no suitable lots, so we're looking at existing houses to remodel. There are a few small neighborhoods with custom homes on 3/4 to 1.5 acre lots, and we've seen a house in one that might work.

The house requires some modifications to be wheelchair accessible. It has an elevator, but every entrance has three to five steps. It also has a few quirks that were likely the result of requests by the owners. The closet in the designated master bedroom is not big enough for two. We were told they didn't share the bedroom. There's also no tub on the main floor. We heard they had cash flow problems toward the end of the build, which may explain some lower quality choices for fixtures and finishes which are trendy (for their day) instead of classic. We want to remodel the master suite, add a bathroom and a closet, and upgrade lighting, plumbing fixtures, kitchen finishes and appliances.

We could hire a structural engineer to work with the builder/GC on the remodel and try to design the changes with their help, but think the house would benefit from the architect's input.

Featured Answer

PRO

PPF.

6 years ago

Are you saying you want the Architect that designed the house to make changes to accommodate your needs?

If so, that's what they do. Part of their job is to design to fit the needs of the inhabitants. New owners, new design.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
". . . think the house would benefit from the architect's input."

You think right.

From what I gather from what you have offered, you are asking if an existing constructed house should be remodeled by the architect that originally designed the house? There is no one more qualified to do the design to remodel than the architect that originally designed the house.

To the best of my knowledge, structural engineers are not trails to design buildings architecturally.
JP Haus thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
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PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago
Talk with the architect.
JP Haus thanked Virgil Carter Fine Art
JP Haus
Original Author
6 years ago
" Are you saying you want the Architect that designed the house to make changes to accommodate your needs? " Yes, exactly.

Thanks for the quick replies from all of you. I was concerned about offending the architect by implying he hadn't done a stellar job the first time around. We can certainly couch the requests in terms of what works for us instead of asking what the heck were you thinking? ; )

In retrospect, it was probably a "no, duh" sort of question. I think I just have the yips. This is nothing like what we've had in mind for years, but there are a lot of positives and it is likely our best bet.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
This would be a sweet project for the original architect because he knows the house well and might still have the original drawings.

You don't need to be shy about having a design program that differs from that of the original owner. Every project is unique and architects want to keep rethinking their designs even after the house has been built.
JP Haus thanked User
One Devoted Dame
6 years ago
Every project is unique and architects want to keep rethinking their designs even after the house has been built.

I imagine that these kinds of opportunities are frequently welcomed... The architect would get a second chance to improve on something, or explore other concepts, especially if there has been significant time since the original design was done. Seems kinda exciting, actually. <3
just_janni
6 years ago
it would also seem a compliment to go back to the original architect to tweak it to your needs. You are also getting the benefit of experience and background on the house. Win / win!
strategery
6 years ago
Not understanding. You don't need a "local" architect.
PRO
Circle + Square
6 years ago
No.