by David Chapman, Staff Writer
Even before the best chefs step into the kitchen, they often have an idea of all the ingredients they’ll need and the way they’ll prepare a memorable meal.
When building a home, architects are the ones who help formulate that idea before the first post is dug or foundation is poured.
“It’s almost like a creating a recipe of what you want to make,” said Doug Lane, president of the Lane Group Inc., an Avondale-based architecture firm. “For homes, that’s what architects do.”
Whether buying a vacant lot or already owning one, Lane said the earlier an architect becomes involved in the home building process, the more assistance they can provide clients.
John Allmand, president of JAA Architecture in Jacksonville, said that often clients will come to him prior to buying a lot for assistance but regardless of when he gets involved in the process it’s an educational process with home building individuals.
“You find out what kind of life they live and what their taste are and go from there,” said Allmand. “You flush out as many ideas as possible.”
Determining whether a client wants rooms to be cozy, or more secure, full of light and other aspects are important to determine before the first line is drawn, Lane said, as it helps determine how the “rough draft” will be created in an architect’s mind.
Allmand said he presents all the different options, based on clients’ feedback and wants, and from there it’s a matter of agreement – something that can be one of the more difficult aspects in the process.
“A lot of times you deal with couples and it’s a matter of he likes something that she doesn’t like and she likes something that he doesn’t like,” Allmand said. “But, that’s to be expected.”
Tempering expectations with clients can also be an issue, Lane said, because some clients simply want more home than a lot will permit or a wallet can afford.
“I’m not one to say ‘you can’t do that’,” said Allmand, “but I do list of what possible repercussions could be. I see my job in that regard as educating clients.”
The lay of the land, such as high dunes on a beachfront property or a septic tank issue, are other challenges out there, but as Almand said, “the design is the easy part.”
When home builders do come to finalize what they will build, plans can be drawn.
“Context is always important,” Lane said. “Scale and proportion of rooms within a plan are critical and it’s kind of a lost art nowadays.”
The trends in what people want to have in their home plans has changed over time, both said. Lane said clients have gone away from the formal living room while open floor plans have remained popular. The openness doesn’t apply to ceilings, though, as Lane said clients are more and more seeking ranges in the 10-11 feet-high ceilings instead of 25-30.
Similarly, Allmand said clients are no longer pushing for formal dining rooms and instead are opting for larger and more open kitchens that incorporate dining features. Additionally, mother-in-law suites have become a popular addition in both new construction and renovation, he said.
Architects also work with a multitude of different contractors during construction process, including heating and air conditioning personnel. Air flow in a house, especially in the Southeast, is critical, said Lane.
Regardless if the best ideas turn into quick plans, the planning aspect with architects isn’t necessarily a quick step. The time needed can range anywhere from 3-6 months in a best case scenario, Allmand said. The six-month frame in an ideal situation is what Lane said could be expected.
Next month: Now that the land is purchased, permits have been acquired and an idea is in place, Realty/Builder will kick off the New Year by getting shovels in the ground of its “Anatomy of a Home” series by featuring builders.