Anyone here an architect?

[NvrSummer]

Check out Google Sketch-Up.  Be your own Architect.

[Vindingo]

I am going to vote one for the hire a licensed architect side.  Every builder and homeowner thinks they can design a house, but most can't.  A lot of places require you to have a licensed architect to submit plans.  In my opinion they provid a valuble service.  Think of it this way... a lot of people do their own taxes, but many hire an accountant because the accountant is better at it.

A good architect can help you create a great design and show you how to save money.  Design it yourself and you are bound to run into problems. 

[herm]

google sketch-up (at least the free version) is also a great program. in fact, its a lot better for rendering quick exterior views and getting a look at various elevations.

i use both.

[El Matador]

  Think of it this way... a lot of people do their own taxes, but many hire an accountant because the accountant is better at it.

A good architect can help you create a great design and show you how to save money.  Design it yourself and you are bound to run into problems. 

Except for the fact that if you make the beast with two backs up your taxes, they wont fall on your head and crush your family to death... Wait... Nevermind



If you want to design it yourself, at least get a licensed architect to go over and sign off on the plans.

[rgramjet]

I think the programs arent a replacement for professional drawings.  They do help with letting the professional know whats in the clients head without having to spell every thing out. Then let the pro fill in the details.

A rough sketch helps relieve the conceptualization guessing game.

[the_Journeyman]

I took drafting in high school and loved it and was good at it.  I'd still have to have a pro go over stuff ~

JM

[erkishhorde]

Except for the fact that if you make the beast with two backs up your taxes, they wont fall on your head and crush your family to death... Wait... Nevermind



If you want to design it yourself, at least get a licensed architect to go over and sign off on the plans.

No no no. Architects aren't responsible for structural integrity. Structural engineers are. From my skewed and uninformed perspective...

It's the architect's fault if the building:
 has poor access
 has bad lay out
 is ugly
 doesn't have enough outlets
 sort of if it's too loud (no noise insulation)

It's the engineer's fault if the building:
 has bouncy floors
 falls down in a small earthquake (we don't design them to last forever)

Sometimes there are random code stuff that you wouldn't think about that the arch will know and these could screw up your plans a bit. Before you go either way you can at least start thinking about some of the general stuff for your dream house like what rooms you want and how regular you want your house to be (rectangular as opposed to random). Then you can start bubbling out the flow and shape of your house. If it helps, get some graph paper and cut out boxes the shapes of the rooms that you want and then play around with placement. In my opinion, that's the part that takes the most creativity because it's creating something from nothing. It is also the part that decides whether or not you like the house the most and for that reason I fell that you should have a decent amount of participation in this part if not do it all yourself. There are simple rules of thumb like keep bathrooms/ laundry rooms close together to reduce plumbing and if you have a really long house it's nice if there's at least a half bath on each side so that guests don't have to wander all the way through the house to take a leak. Most of it is common sense though. Detail things like knowing that a wet wall will be thicker than your average walls is stuff that the arch can fill in.

[Vindingo]

No no no. Architects aren't responsible for structural integrity. Structural engineers are.

That isn't true.  A licensed arch can spec beams and other structural memebers.  If that house falls down you can bet your ass they will get sued also.

[Monsterlover]

Note to self:  sue architect when house falls down.

Check.

[El Matador]

That isn't true.  A licensed arch can spec beams and other structural memebers.  If that house falls down you can bet your ass they will get sued also.

Eggsactly.

[erkishhorde]

That isn't true.  A licensed arch can spec beams and other structural memebers.  If that house falls down you can bet your ass they will get sued also.

They can but they shouldn't be. The SE has to sign off on the project even if it's just a house so if he specs something and the arch shouldn't be changing it. I've heard that when there are problems with a building the whole group tends to get sued just so they can try to rope in as much as possible. Then the individual groups have to start saying, "Hey, that wasn't me," and defend themselves so an SE that lets Archs spec structural members is not so great imo.

[derby]

They can but they shouldn't be. The SE has to sign off on the project even if it's just a house so if he specs something and the arch shouldn't be changing it. I've heard that when there are problems with a building the whole group tends to get sued just so they can try to rope in as much as possible. Then the individual groups have to start saying, "Hey, that wasn't me," and defend themselves so an SE that lets Archs spec structural members is not so great imo.

mebbe you should remind people what your background/employment situation is to give your statements some context.

[The Architect]

I don't play one on TV but I am an architect in real life.  I'm at work trying hard not to kill anyone or get sued, so I'll make this quick:

- our primary job is to keep the occupants safe and protect the owners health and welfare
- your local and/or state rules may require you to have a structural engineer or licensed architect
- an architect will have a better understanding of the current building codes
- we (architects) can preform structural engineering to a degree.  A single family home is something my office will do the structural engineering for.  A multi story office or a large manufacturing facility is a different story.  And there are many other factors that come into play.  Generally it's up to the professional but each state has different regulations.
- as for the emotional attachment, this is a personality issue with that architect.
- the owner and the architect must have a good relationship.  The owner must be comfortable with the architect form the start.  You're about to spend a lot of money on the house. 
- and yes if something goes wrong, everyone gets sued, even the guy delivering lunch!  And that is why my insurance rates are soooooooooo high!  Fortunately I've never had to use it.  Which leads to another point,
- you want an architect or engineer that has a good relationship with the builder.  When the builder runs into an issue he contacts you snd the architect and the issue gets resolved.  Unfortunately there are many builders that will ignore the issue.  I simple fix during construction later becomes an expensive ordeal later. 
- the energy savings alone in a well designed house is worth the expense of an architect.
- and again, you're about to spend a load of $.  Hire an architect to make the place look good and to make it fit you needs.  You'll enjoy it everyday you live there, it will help the house become a home and a well designed home is easier to sell.

[Triple J]

Another vote for hiring an architect. It will be money well spent if you work well with them.

It always amazes me when people are about to spend quite probably the largest sum of money of their lifetime, yet they try to get by without professional help...or by using the cheapest option possible. Doesn't make sense IMO.

Personally I'd collect pictures of house interiors that you like from magazines, and also some exteriors that you like (magazines and local), then hand sketch a rough floor plan that you think you would like. Give that to the architect as a starting point and then listen to their suggestions. Work back and forth until you agree with everything they are planning. If you just never see eye to eye, cut your losses and find another architect.

Good luck...I can't wait until my wife and I can afford to build our own custom house! 

[rgramjet]

Check out Google Sketch-Up.  Be your own Architect.

I recently had an architect draw a rendering using Sketch Up.  Absolutely beautiful!!  He can make that program Dance!  Anyone use the "Pro" Version?

I downloaded it today, lets just say its not as intuitive as I had hoped.  3D Home Architect wins in my book. 

Im hoping my opinion changes, will mess with it some more.