Residential Design

Georgie Awards® - Celebrating Excellence In Home Building

2011-07-14T17:14:00.000-07:00

Georgie Awards® - Celebrating Excellence In Home Building

Join the revolution! Krannich Solar at Intersolar North America | Krannich Solar Inc.

2011-07-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Join the revolution! Krannich Solar at Intersolar North America | Krannich Solar Inc.

2010-09-07T00:01:00.001-07:00

Q: We want to build a new house. How do we decide between an Architect and a Building Designer?
A: In British Columbia, the term “Architect” is reserved, by legislation, to those who, through training, experience, and examination, have been registered with the AIBC (Architectural Institute of British Columbia) with the designation MAIBC (Member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia). Only persons who are registered with the AIBC are able, by law, to call themselves “Architects”.
Building Designers may have the same training as Architects but not be registered with the Institute, and are therefore not permitted to use the designation MAIBC.
However, when it comes to designing houses, a building designer is able to design a one or 2 family dwelling up to 470 SQM. Within this scope, Architects, as well as Building Designers are bound by the same guidelines of regional building codes, as well as governing municipal jurisdictions. Let’s look at some of the history in how this evolved; The Architects Act was created in the early 1900’s during a time when houses consisted of four walls, a heating source in the center, adjacent food preparation, and sleeping quarters. Walls were poorly insulated with foundations primarily from timber. Back then the “Architect” was the master of ceremonies. He designed the building and built it! Times since then truly have changed, but the Architects Act has not kept up with this change! Think of it as if the current “Motor Vehicles Act” would be based on the “Ford Model T” as the way we get from point A to B in today’s world! Fortunately, AIBC’s Council has recognized this, and has therefore lobbied Government in recent years to include Building Designers as a part of their group.
So how do you decide? Architect or Building Designer for your renovation or new house?
Architects and Building Designers will contribute successfully to the built environment of today within their allowable scope of practice. You, as the homeowner must evaluate their level of competency as you make your decision!

Q: Knowing I can choose either a Building Designer or Architect for my house, what criteria should I use to make the final choice?
A: Research the reputation and particular expertise of those you will interview, plus the individual’s familiarity with the area and municipal by-laws. Ask your friends and neighbors who they used on their homes, ask about their experience and satisfaction. Some Architects and Building Designers develop, and focus on particular styles while others have a much wider range of creative offerings regardless of the architectural style you are choosing.
While the budget for design is always a consideration, it is not recommended you choose an Architect or Building Designer purely based on his or her fee. Don’t short change yourself; the fee for designing your home represents a small part of the overall cost of your building project, so do yourself a big favor, and don’t scrimp. Another big consideration is “chemistry” – you must want to work with this person and trust them. It’s a little bit like a short term marriage!
Q: Why would I design a custom home when I can buy stock plans off the web?
A: While stock plans can be reasonably priced, the plan purchased represents your initial contribution. You will need to have the selected plan professionally adjusted to suit your building site, local building codes, by-laws, as well as suited to your specific needs and lifestyle. This will cost extra! The financial investment to design your custom home will be greater than buying a stock plan, but the emotional cost to building a house that does not fully suit your needs will always be more significant. Building a house is expensive and it takes patience and energy! Don’t take the risk of disappointment with the final product when you have real options.
Q: How long should it take to design my house?
A: That varies. The design process includes pre-design consultation, design development, design review and revisions, production of working drawings plus engineering, before a building permit application can be made. This process can take as little as four weeks to a few months, depending on complexity!
Q: What should we bring to a meeting with a Building Designer or Architect?
A: Be clear about your needs, the purpose of the building and your preferences. Have a construction budget in mind. Provide your land survey or a plan of the lot. If this is a renovation bring information and plans of the existing house if possible. Bring photos, ideas and sketches; anything you can use to clearly convey your expectations and desires to get the ball rolling.

2010-09-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

This well written article below describes the relationship between Architects and Bulding Designers in Australia; well worth a read!

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING DESIGNERS INCORPORATED
PO Box 30 North Beach WA 6920 T: (08) 9246 3779 F: (08) 9246 3789 E: admin@aibd.asn.au
Promoting the building design and architectural drafting professions
and advancing the quality of the built environment

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ARCHITECT AND A
BUILDING DESIGNER?

In Australia the term “Architect” is reserved by legislation for those
persons who are registered with State based authorities or ‘Boards’.
There is no requirement for a building designer to be registered as an
architect and there are generally no limitations on the work that can be
performed by a building designer (with the exception of some State based
restrictions for certain building types).
In many cases, building designers offer a similar range of services to
architects, so the terminology can be difficult for the layperson to
understand. Architects also regard themselves to be building designers
and consider the generic term of building designer to be appropriate (as
can be evidenced by the many architects who advertise in the Yellow
Pages under the “Building Designer” category). Current legislation also
encompasses the term “building designer” as a generic definition of the
vocation.
While it is typically argued within the architectural profession that building
designers do not have the same qualifications as registered architects,
building designers may in fact have exactly the same qualifications. The
only distinction in many cases is between those who may have taken the
examinations conducted by the Architects Boards and those who have not.
Of course, a degree in architecture is not necessary for a person to use
the term building designer. In fact anyone can use that term. Many
professions do not share the same legislative exclusivity of a reservation
of title as architects do (for example accountants, engineers, economists,
etc). A reserved title is certainly not considered a prerequisite to the
ability to design and document buildings and it could be argued that those
who choose to call themselves building designers remain in business by
continually demonstrating their ability to perform the task satisfactorily.
When arguing good design versus bad design the definition of good design
must be examined and as good design is subjective (in the eye of the
beholder), what may be “good” design to one person may be absolutely
awful to another. Just because a person may use a particular industry
name doesn’t necessary make them “good” at that vocation.
Building designers and architects will always contribute successfully to the
built environment. Only the level of competency of the individual should
be considered.

How do You choose a Building Designer?

2010-07-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

Recently, I came across this article written for a Victoria Real Estate Publication by one of my peers Ron McNeil from Victoria;

When choosing a designer for your new home or renovation some important aspects to consider are their credentials, the services they offer in relation to fees; and of course most importantly have a face to face meeting so you can see if they are indeed someone you can work with.

Like most professions now, certification is important. With a "Registered Building Designer" (RBD) certified under the Building Designers Institute of BC you get someone who has been certified to have the required education, experience, and has Errors and Omissions insurance.

Fees vary greatly for design, keep in mind that a prudent designer will be working to save their fee many times over in construction costs. Their fees also allow them to update their knowledge, carry E&O insurance and other professional responsibilities.
Include a designer early in your plans, they might give you insight into your lot prior to a purchase. Designers have a good grasp of costs for various types of construction and will be able to help you budget early on. Also impact of zoning standards and other guidelines may be apparent to the designer and can be dealt with to ensure a smooth purchase.

When considering the services you need, see what the designer commonly offers or can offer to better suit you specifically. While "Computer Aided Design"(CAD) alone does not make design better, it does offer more ways to enable someone to visualize what is being described to them. CAD is also easily translated into many forms for the Internet, enabling long distance clients to better keep in touch.

Whatever your project is, hire a competent and accountable professional - a registered building designer.

2010-07-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Coong from our office has done a great job in developing these 3d sketches of some of the new houses we are presently working on!