The process of working with an architect is quite fluid, with the architect

donning many hats at various times, from big picture thinker to detailed project
manager. That’s the value to hiring one, says architect Gabe Headrick, founder
of Steelhead Architecture in Portland, Oregon. Headrick has spearheaded both
commercial and residential projects in the Portland-metro area for the past 16
years.

"Architects have the unique ability to envision spaces. To see what’s possible as
well as express it," says Headrick. According to him, an architect on a house
remodel job is first and foremost a facilitator. "When it comes down to it, these
are people’s houses. It’s their project," says Headrick. "Architects are there to
facilitate, provide design guidance, and give them a great space to live."

But every architect is different, and this makes their work processes differ.
However, many remodeling projects lead by an architect could proceed through
the following basic steps. Whether or not you and your architect engage in all of
these depends on the scope of work established for your particular project. For
instance, an architect might only provide a package of conceptual drawings
(stopping after step two), whereas others might be contracted to proceed
through construction management.

The initial consultation or interview is

primarily intended to see if you, your
project, and the potential architect are a
good fit. "The first thing I do is meet
with the potential client and talk through their goals," says Headrick. During
this meeting, it’s best to communicate your ideas clearly and ask lots of
questions. Find out the architect’s approach, fee schedule, deliverables, and
what they think is important about your project.

First impressions are important here, as you are evaluating whether you and
your potential architect have a good rapport, in order to be able to work together
for the remodeling long haul. This is probably the most intangible—and
important—part of the entire process. Assess whether the architect listens to
your needs and confirms that he or she understands them.

At the start of the design phase, architects will analyze the site’s existing
conditions and come up with conceptual drawings or ideas that integrate the
client’s goals with the architect’s aesthetic direction and schematic approach. At
this part of the process, says Headrick, it’s a good idea to think more broadly
rather than getting mired down in specific details. For instance, think in terms
of how the whole house will be laid out and interact with the natural setting,
rather than focusing on sinks or particular paint colors.

During this phase, Headrick discusses inspiration photos with clients to get an
idea of their likes and dislikes. "We’ll ask, what is it about this that gets your eye
or gets your attention?" says Headrick. From those conversations, he generally
puts together a set of three different concepts, intended to spark feedback and
hone in on the client’s desires.

The time that this takes can vary. "It can take a short period of time—sometimes
we get it on the first time," says Headrick. "Other times it can take a long time
with a lot of back and forth."

Once the general design direction is settled, Headrick’s firm moves into a
documentation phase, during which the architect produces more exhaustive
drawings.

"We’re getting more specific about assemblies and details and materials," he
says. "And there will still be a back and forth here, but there will be more flat, 2D
drawings and not quite so many pretty renderings." As well as specifying the
design to the last detail, these drawings are often necessary for obtaining
permits and stipulating how a contractor should build.

"There can be a permit set of drawings and a construction set of drawings here,"
Headrick says. "Sometimes these are the same thing, but other times the
construction set has a little more information to it, and the permit set just has
enough information to get through whatever municipality is reviewing it."
Keep in mind that there is still design work being done during this phase, such
as interior finish or plumbing fixture selection, says Headrick. "So the design
phase is more overarching, but the drawings themselves get more detailed
during the documentation phase."

This is the period wherein the local jurisdiction reviews the drawings and
determines whether the proposed work is in accordance with local safety codes
or design review. Every municipality will differ in their approach, from what
documentation they require to how long it will take to receive their approval.

What takes three months in one county can take only three weeks in another. "A
lot of this part is just waiting," says Headrick. "You turn in a set of drawings and
then it just sits in a pile until a plans examiner can get to it. Every now and then
they’ll come out with comments that the architect has to respond to."

During this phase, it can feel like the project has stagnated. In his experience,
"From the client’s point of view, not a whole lot is happening for a good two or
three months," says Headrick.
There are two parts to the construction stage. The first is finding a contractor to
do the work. The timing of this step will depend on the client, as some people
have made the choice in the beginning whereas others need the architect’s help
in their selection. The latter might entail a bidding process, wherein the
architect helps the client select two or three contractors to submit bids for the
proposed work, and the client chooses the best proposal.

Timing here is important. "The contractor selection can happen as early as

design phase," says Headrick. This way the contractor can offer real time costs
throughout the design process. Other times the contractor joins the team during
the documentation and/or permitting phase. "Either way, contractor selection
usually happens prior to permit approval," says Headrick. "If you wait until
after, you’ve got an even bigger time gap."

Once the contractor starts work, the architect’s role is not diminished. There can
be a lot going on behind the scenes, such as the contractor calling the architect
to make sure they are executing the design correctly or the architect needing to
troubleshoot when problems arise. During this stage, many architects will
engage in weekly site visits to the project with the contractor and client, and go
over instructions with subcontractors in order to get the details right.

Headrick prefers to be fairly involved during this part of the process. "It’s silly to
go through all this effort with design and documentation and then when the
project gets built, have it not be what was intended," he says. "I think that our
being a part of construction is important."