As soon as you know you want to have work done on your home you should reach out to an architect. We can help guide you through the process and make sure a contractor does not steer you in the wrong direction.
We want to do right by your home whether it is Historically designated, in a Historic neighborhood, or a part of the urban fabric. We know the ins and outs and what is important for you to know from the start.
As an architect, we will handle your needs, wants, and dreams and we will also guide you through to the end of the project, architects are not supposed to draw a plan and leave the rest to you. We will start by getting to know you and your home during the pre-design phase and from there we will start with the Schematic design.
Schematic design is the first phase of the design process, we settle on a plan and then we move forward with the second phase of design which is Design development, as its name suggests this furthers the development of the design and this is where your home starts to take shape.
The last phase of the design process is Construction Documentation. During this phase, we develop details and drawings to guide the contractor to build your home. In addition, we create specifications that outline what and where we plan to put things and how things will work for the contractor. These drawings are also used to gain permits with your town and city. We assist as needed with the contractor and you to get the proper permits and approvals. When the contractor has all the necessary permits the project construction begins.
We will help guide you through the construction process and make sure the contractor is following the project we developed together. We also help work through onsite details or anything that needs to be changed due to unforeseen conditions which can certainly happen, but we are up to the challenge!
We believe in collaboration, with the homeowners, the general contractor, and their subcontractors. It is important to be a team to get the best outcome for you and your home. Although we do not select the Contractor (that task is up to you!), we can help you with some suggestions. We find projects are the most successful when the Architect, homeowner, and Contractor establish an open communication line. We are in communication with the homeowners throughout the entire process, from the beginning to the end. I find being diverse in design software is important but working things out onsite is just as important and with renovations, necessary.
We get to know you, both of you or all of you (if you have kids/grandparents), whoever may be living in your home can get involved. Our first meeting is all about you and the house you live in or plan to live in. We discuss must-haves, wants, and budgets. We are huge fans of using a shared Pinterest page with inspirational images of overall looks and individual spaces. We also continue to get to know you through the schematic design process which is where we take your must-haves and wants and put them into design options. We work together during this process to get the design options into one cohesive plan that makes everyone happy. If you would like to, we can meet in your current home if you feel like it represents your aesthetic to view and discuss the things you like and do not like in your current home.
Functionality is part of the programming meeting. We will also add suggestions of what things may or may not work.
Yes, we offer pre-purchase assessments to help put your mind at ease. We will meet you on the property and we will walk through each floor. We will verbally discuss issues that could be of concern or anything that exists that could create issues. We can recommend things that can be easily fixed or worked out during the design process. We can also talk through Historic and Zoning restrictions for the property.
Historic renovations are our forte, we help determine what is true historic character or what may just look historic. We try to restore or rehabilitate what is important, while also focusing on making the space/home suitable for today’s living. Sometimes, that tin-looking ceiling is faux tin added by the previous owner to look historic.
The proposal includes an initial deposit and a signed contract to reserve time for your project in our calendar. We outline fees based on the steps in the design process, permitting, bidding, and construction administration process. A full package Design and Construction Administration is 10-12% of the cost of construction and for some smaller projects we charge hourly. Each project is unique, and we need to understand your budget. It is best to fill out our form to set up a meeting to discuss the project. Only then can we develop a fee.
We communicate as much as needed during standard office hours. We are with you every step of the way.
Typically, Jersey City, Hoboken, and the surrounding suburbs. However, we do consider projects in the Central Jersey and New York Metropolitan areas.
Net zero is the balance between the resources the home needs and the renewable energy you can generate to match the need. With new heating technology and lower-cost renewable energy systems, any home can get to net zero or at least close.
High-performance homes are super-insulated and energy-efficient homes. They use natural elements like the sun for passive solar and wind for natural ventilation. Recycled materials or choosing better materials is at the forefront of the design and finish selection.
As will net zero it is about finding a balance and lowering your carbon footprint while having a more comfortable home overall.
High-performance homes are ultra-comfortable, healthy, quiet, sustainable homes that are affordable to live in.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of a high-performance check out our blog “The Ultimate Guide to Building a High-Performance Home“.
• Quieter living environment: Enhanced insulation provides thermal comfort, deadens external noise, and improves home acoustics.
• Lower utility bills: High-performance homes are designed to be more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances, thus reducing monthly utility bills.
• Higher resale value: Energy-efficient features and certifications can boost the resale value of a home; Buyers are willing to pay more for a home with lower operating costs.
• Durability and minimal maintenance: High-performance homes are often built with durable materials and advanced construction techniques, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and repairs.
We get to know the client’s interests, learn their needs, wants, and dreams, and take them into the project. We hope a homeowner comes to us wanting a high-performance home. If they do not know what that entails, we educate them and talk through the opportunities. These opportunities should be integrated from the beginning of schematic design.
Schematic design is the first phase of the design process, we settle on a layout and then we move forward with the second phase of design which is Design development, as its name suggests this furthers the development of the design and this is where your home starts to take shape.
The last phase of the design process is Construction Documentation. During this phase, we develop details and drawings to guide the contractor to build your home. In addition, we create specifications that outline what and where we plan to put things and how things will work for the contractor. These drawings are also used to gain permits with your town and city. We assist as needed with the contractor and you to get the proper permits and approvals. When the contractor has all the necessary permits the project construction begins.
We will help guide you through the construction process and make sure the contractor is following the project we developed together. During construction, we ensure the high-performance elements we developed during the design process are installed and utilized properly. We also help work through onsite details or anything that needs to be changed due to unforeseen conditions which can certainly happen, but we are up to the challenge!
We figure out your aesthetic by getting to know you at the start of the project but also during the project because we are always looking to match your needs, wants, and dreams to the process. By using Pinterest as our ‘idea box,’ you will share with us pictures of what you dislike, like, and love and will work hard on implementing your ideas and visions to the project. We integrate your desires with our expertise to produce a cohesive plan.
The proposal includes an initial deposit and a signed contract to reserve time for your project in our calendar. We outline fees based on the steps in the design process, permitting, bidding, and construction administration process. A full package Design and Construction Administration is 10-12% of the cost of construction and for some smaller projects we charge hourly. Each project is unique, and we need to understand your budget. It is best to fill out our form to set up a meeting to discuss the project. Only then can we develop a fee.
We work both virtually and in person. For virtual meetings, we use Microsoft Teams where we share our computer model and move through the drawings and spaces together. During Construction, it is much more onsite and in-person meetings. We communicate regularly but documenting calls and major decisions in email form is the best way to document decisions. We have learned through experience that text is not the right place to document decisions and try to avoid it.
At some parts, it may be daily, others weekly, but during the project, whether it be during the design process or construction we are with you every step of the way.
One goal is cost-effectiveness. That means different things to different people. Energy efficiency is important, and you must consider that long-term costs make up for the initial costs. However, a high-performing home does not necessarily cost more than a standard home. It is all in key decisions made along the way.
A high-performing home could be more compact, use natural ventilation, and be better insulated, all putting less stress on the electrical and mechanical needs of your home. Thus, requiring less maintenance and improving your home’s longevity. A high-performance home holds more value, and it is interesting to see how some slight improvements can make an impact on overall comfort and not blow the budget.
Typically, Jersey City, Hoboken, and the surrounding suburbs. However, we are licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut and will travel further for the right project.
This is for those searching for the right property for their future home. It could be simply you want to make sure you can fit a kitchen in a specific place or is the property structurally sound? You think you found “the house”, but should you be concerned that there are a few cracks in some bricks and some bounce in the floor? Is this fixable, is it a concern? I will help you understand what is visible or observed if the home is worth considering.
I help by verbally walking through the feasibility of the program. Can you get the must-have 5 bedrooms, or does it only fit four? Usually, we can tell if your musts will fit, without measuring and drawing. Lastly, if there are any apparent red flags as described in the process above, I will let you know my concerns.
Buying a home is one of the most important emotional decisions and financial commitments of your life. It is important to have a professional, whether it be an architect, engineer, or qualified contractor, walk through the home to talk through your concerns and goals. Isn’t it worth the time and small financial investment to get peace of mind about your purchase?
The walkthrough is charged by the hour and depends on the size of the property and/or the complexity of the project.
$300 per hour in Hudson County. Any locations further a travel fee will be added.
This is an in-person walkthrough along with an active dialogue. No physical deliverables are associated with this service. You can feel free to take notes.
Yes, we have met some of our favorite clients this way! We are here for you every step of this journey if we are the right fit.
