This is a general overview of the value you get when you bring an architect into your project. To discover more specifically what Hollis Architects will do for you, please see our WHAT TO EXPECT page.
Many people believe that architects work mostly on large-scale building projects, as opposed to small commercial or residential projects. Not necessarily so!
Architects create a home around YOUR needs—how YOU want to live. Perhaps you love your home and neighborhood, but your family's needs have changed and a few adjustments will allow you to stay in the home you love. Maybe you need room for a special hobby or home office. Your architect will enable you to get the most out of what is most likely your greatest personal investment, your home.
This is also true for the business owner. Your architect will help you get the most out of the space where you run your business. You want to make sure any place your customers will enter is attractive and inviting, convenient, and ADA compliant. Additionally, your architect can help you better utilize and customize your buildings and interiors for best possible organization, display, and storage enabling you to fit your space longer as your business grows.
Architects keep tabs on developments within the construction and design industries about health concerns with various building materials. They specify the healthier ones so you can feel confident knowing your home or business is in a safe environment.
Architects save you money by designing for efficiency. They know how to properly insulate your place and make it work with the environment—saving you money every month as you write a check to the power company. They'll use their understanding of building systems to design what works best for YOUR particular situation, site, and location resulting in efficient space usage, energy efficiency, and lower maintenance over the decades.
Architects are prepared to do all of this because they go to school for many years and then work for many more years under the close supervision of an experienced professional. When an architect has the necessary education and experience under their belt to be ready to work on their own, they have to pass tough licensing exams to be able to get their professional license. Additionally, they continually educate themselves to learn more about how to do a better job including staying current on new energy efficiency standards, fire prevention, indoor clean air considerations and to obtain important certifications such as the Master Green Building Professional Certification from the USGB Council.
It all sums up to VALUE. Architects create value for you by designing environments and structures to realize your home or work space's fullest potential!
Want to read more on this topic?
HOUZZ.COM ARTICLE — "SO WHAT THE HECK DOES AN ARCHITECT DO ANYWAY?"