Real Architectural Design
This service does not appear to exist in America anymore, at least in a way accessible to the common
person. Before any design whatsoever can occur, the following must be in place (in order of importance):
• The building site secured and thoroughly understood. Elevations, slopes, water tables, soil quality,
bedrock condition, wind direction, flora and fauna, building zones and codes, history, character of
the neighborhood, weather patterns, and future development.
• The character of the home owner or building user. While this comes second, it takes far more
sensitivity because most people do not actually know what they want. For example, people who
like the idea of big white pillars in front of their home do not want big white pillars (which hold
nothing of importance up), they want a grandiose sense of dignity. There are much better ways of
doing this than with big white pillars. The architect must be able to translate the invisible values of
the client into a visible and usable expression.
• A solid budget that does not move in either direction. While a solid budget necessarily includes a
20% overrun contingency, squeezing or bloating the project will undermine every aspect of it.
Once these are in place, architectural design can begin. The appropriate and traditional architect’s fee is
5% of the building cost.
