Architect recommendation

We finally found a lot to build on and are looking for an architect who specializes in modern structures, preferable with a strong focus on green building practices. The proposed budget is $150/sq ft (and under 2000 sq ft total), thus a firm that charges 18% isn't going to cut it. Can anyone recommend a reasonable alternative? Is it possible to design your own house and take the drawings to an architect to have them drawn up?

It is possible to design your own house and have someone else draft the plans for you, but it isn't your best bang for your buck. Architects and designers generally hav a latent understanding if space and structure that the layperson will not generally have. They bring MUCH more to the table than just knowing how to draw plans. If you are lookig to go green and keep a modest budget, you aren't going to save any money by doing the design yourself. A good architect or designer can help you make informed decisions about what green products and practices make sense for your site, budget, and design, not to mention bringing to the table knowledge of exactly what needs to be drawn for permitting as well as successful construction.

Also very few architects and designers charge 18% for design, documentation, and construction admin services. Fees that high are generally reserved for firms that have a fair amount of name cache, and those architects would be designing every last custom detail in the house, as well as having someone one site throughout construction to admin the project. Your project sounds like it would generally fall more in the 8-10% range of estimated construction budget.

Mark Meyer

Thanks for the input. Your response makes sense to a large part, but I also wonder if there is software available now that would make it more feasible for laypeople to do more of their own design work.

Do you think it's possible to build a green house for around $150/sq ft on a sloped lot in the Portland area?

Conc05 - are you in portland? i have done a handful of houses recently located on steeply sloping lots in portland. typically, the lot will eat up (or add - depending on how you look at it) 20% cost. without knowing you're specific situation, it would be hard for me to give you accurate information. the green conversation is difficult to have without knowing you're scope or goals. generally, you can add 5%-%20% depending on what you have in mind. there are always creative solutions to problems. all that said, i think it is possible to build a green house for $150/ sq ft.

i would be very interested in speaking with you further. personally and professionally, i'm in a position to offer an 18% architect at a greatly reduced price, but this forum isn't necessarily the place to discuss this. there are many levels of service and many ways to structure a contract. if you're interested, i can give you contact information...

Moddesigner,

I am in Portland and would be interested in talking with you about my project. I sent you my email address via private messaging.

Would be nice to see your findings. I am in the same position of thinking about land and new house. Be great to see what you find out and what architects are contactiing you.

e

Previously Ursuela wrote:

Moddesigner,

I am in Portland and would be interested in talking with you about my project. I sent you my email address via private messaging.

Darin - I tried to send you a direct message but keeps timing out.  I'd be interested in connecting with you.  We recently purchased a piece of property backing up to Forest Park in Portland - it's a great piece of land but it will have its challenges (in a convervation area, steep double slop lot).  Looking for someone who gets what we want to do - warm but modern, connected to the natural surrounding, lots of light, fits with the Portland/NW aesthetic.  Can you tell me more about what you do, projects, etc.  What would next steps be if we want to start a dialogue.  Does this type of project interest you? CJ 

CJ,

Sorry, the email out function was one of the last to be fixed in the server migration. It works now.

Marshall

Previously CJ Robison wrote:

Darin - I tried to send you a direct message but keeps timing out.

CJ

Thanks for trying to get in touch with me.  I haven't checked the forum in a couple days, so I apologize for the delay.

If you're still interested in getting in touch, please email me directly at the below address.

Previously CJ Robison wrote:

Darin - I tried to send you a direct message but keeps timing out.  I'd be interested in connecting with you.  We recently purchased a piece of property backing up to Forest Park in Portland - it's a great piece of land but it will have its challenges (in a convervation area, steep double slop lot).  Looking for someone who gets what we want to do - warm but modern, connected to the natural surrounding, lots of light, fits with the Portland/NW aesthetic.  Can you tell me more about what you do, projects, etc.  What would next steps be if we want to start a dialogue.  Does this type of project interest you? CJ

Previously CJ Robison wrote:

Hi CJ -

We would also be interested in talking with you about your project. We have experience with new home design in the Forest Park area and would love to show you some of our work. Modern AND warm is our specialty.

You can contact us directly at the following email address: integratearch@gmail.com

Good luck with your search for an architect. We hope to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Phil Sydnor

Darin - I tried to send you a direct message but keeps timing out.  I'd be interested in connecting with you.  We recently purchased a piece of property backing up to Forest Park in Portland - it's a great piece of land but it will have its challenges (in a convervation area, steep double slop lot).  Looking for someone who gets what we want to do - warm but modern, connected to the natural surrounding, lots of light, fits with the Portland/NW aesthetic.  Can you tell me more about what you do, projects, etc.  What would next steps be if we want to start a dialogue.  Does this type of project interest you? CJ