We are a residential design firm. We have designed projects as small as decks, porches and porticos, all the way up to 20,000 square foot mansions. If you are looking for a new home design, alterations (interior and/or exterior), additions, reconfigurations, gut renovation, total rebuild of a floor, dormers, Parent/Child, garage conversions, finished cellars, cabanas, detached garages, legalizations and anything else in between we can handle your project.

As an architecture firm we develop drawings that allow you to obtain a permit and build your project. Once retained our scope of services include, zoning analysis, architectural drawings, elevations, construction drawings and filing services. If it is determined that a variance hearing is required or that your municipality had additional review boards to for permit approval we provide filing and representation services as well. Those fees are separate from the architectural services. We do not do construction management. We do not do demolition services. Please see below to learn more about our design process.

We design each project as if we would be living in it ourselves. Each design is crafted carefully so we can create a project you are comfortable and proud to live in. A zoning analysis is completed first. This provides us with the knowledge of what can and cannot be designed under the regulations of your municipality without requiring a variance, if it can be obtained. Once we know our limitations we work with you to develop a functional, safe and structurally sound floor plan first. Once we have an approved layout we then develop the exterior design of the home, how it will look. Any project can look beautiful, not any pretty design can be functional. Within each of the design phases we have an allotted amount of revisions per phase. These revisions allow us to refine the design as we get to know you and the design better. With both the interior and exterior designed, you can start getting preliminary bids of the project as we develop the comprehensive and technical construction drawings, the set of drawings your project will be built from. Once completed, the construction drawings are used to file with your local building department. You can also get more accurate bids wit this set. The appropriate paperwork is filed and we work with you to get you through the permit approval process. Depending on your specific building department, the process varies.

This is completely dependent of your unique scope of work and size of project. To get a quote please contact us directly for a free consultation. We will discuss your wish list, go over any specific or unique conditions that could affect your project and discuss the overall process. Often we would like to meet you at your home to get a “boots on the ground” feel for what the project will entail. Within a week of that meeting you will receive a full proposal for architectural and any additional services.

There are many items that might be required as part of the overall design process that need to be supplied. Some are required based on your specific project or building department while others are recommended to ensure an easy approval. The most important document to have is a recent, updated and accurate survey. This is the backbone of the design process as it allows us to understand your unique zoning criteria and inform you if variances are required prior to designing. We will be able to review these drawings and inform you if specific items to your project are required. These are obtained from a licensed surveyor or civil engineer. If your project is large enough to be considered a “new dwelling” third party energy calculations are required. Depending on your specific building department’s needs, 3d renderings, site engineering drawings, drywell and septic drawings, landscape design and drawings can also be required.

Every building department is different, however they are all meant to be the gate keepers for allowing to build your project. They are here to check for compliance with zoning and building codes to make sure that Architect has done their job correctly. Generally an application is filled out which requires the inclusion of architectural construction documents, an accurate survey and an initial fee to the building department. The size and scope of your project will determine if additional items are required at the initial filing. Depending on your municipality some of other items can include site engineering, landscape drawings, renderings, energy calculations or certifications. Depending on your building department there could be additional steps required to get your permit approval. Those can be variances or specific boards that review specific aspects of the design. See the next paragraph concerning these additional steps. During the overall review process the plans examiners can ask for additional information or for clarification of items on the project. We will respond to these comments and resubmit the drawings to satisfy the requests. This is a common occurrence and is often expected to happen at least once. After the plans examiner is satisfied you are informed that the permit is pending. You will need to pay the final permit fees at this time and submit all of your contractor information. Then you are ready to build! The one factor that we cannot determine is how long it takes to get a permit in hand. Some building departments are fast at 4-6 weeks, others can take up to a year. Sadly, we have no control over this detail but it is worth knowing when you start your project what your timeline could be.

It is common that a project may not meet the zoning of your municipality. If that is the case the project is “rejected” where we would then file to be heard by a Zoning Board of Appeals for approval of the non-conforming project. Many variances are achievable, but at times sadly, they can be denied. Additionally, some building departments have Architectural Review Boards, a committee that reviews the atheistic of your project to see if it is in keeping with the neighborhood. There can also be Planning Boards and Site Plan Review boards. These two boards review the changes to the property and if it is creating and adverse effect to the environment or community, how the landscape of your property is affected, what trees are being added and removed and that the land will remain safe once redeveloped. Each of these separate boards require separate applications from the building permit application, including their own fees and packages with different requirements. Often radius maps and mailings are required for these kind of proceedings, as they are meant to be public hearings. At these hearings we often act as your representation along with other professionals if they are required depending on the board.

If you require any of the additional services such as Variances or Board hearings, we have it in our contract that we will represent you for these procedures. As your design professional we act as your liaison and “legal representative” to these committees. Our job explain the project and answer questions that might come up concerning specific elements of the design or if clarification is necessary due to a unique or unusual conditions. At times other professionals as part of your design team might join us for these boards deepening on the specific needs of that hearing. As the homeowner you can represent yourself but it is always highly recommended that we do the representation as there can be technical items you may not know how to answer.

No, we are not. However we do work very closely with many local surveyors, general contractors, site engineers, structural engineers, landscape designers and interior designers for decades who we have developed a strong relationship over time. These other professionals would need to be retained for their specific services. We all coordinate together to complete the overall design.

An architect is a macro-artist who creates comprehensive and beautiful spaces for you to enjoy, experience, and live in. Not only are we responsible for the function and aesthetics of a structure, we are also developing the structure, life safety, energy efficiency, code compliance, zoning at the same time. We can be responsible for also interior design, kitchen and bathroom design, electrical layout, HVAC and plumbing, mechanical, and site planning design, however in residential architecture many of these items aren’t required for a permit. To make a long story short, an architect needs to know every trade and type of engineering to be a functional designer.

Generally there are two types of architects. Contract Architect and Full Service Architects. We follow the Contract Architect model. Prior to designing you project we provide a price for our services broken down into payments for each phase of the design process. If there are additional changes to the project beyond the original contract’s fulfillment, we charge at an hourly rate. We provide you drawings that will allow a permit to be pulled and able to build your project. We work with you to get your permit in hand and then pass the project to a contractor who will follow the drawings to build the project. We design your project with you, create drawings that are buildable, practical, safe and functional. Our drawings are meant for your project to be completed. Our model doesn’t include picking out colors, molding, flooring, tile, appliances, furniture and all the other elements of a house that would fully furnish it. Many of these choice you do not necessarily our need help for and you will be having this conversation with your builder’s team once you reach certain milestones. We do not participate in construction management, being on site all of the time overseeing the job. This doesn’t mean we are not part of the process. We remain in contact with you and the builder to resolve issues if they arise or if changes have to be made, as things can happen. Providing a services in this manner allows our prices remain affordable for everyone.

If you are looking for a more bespoke experience, The Full Service Architect is your model for you. They will hold your hand through the entire project from Design to construction, managing the build, to when you walk into your home. Full Service Architects provide intense, detailed, time consuming drawings which will describe every facet or your home as well as get you to your permit. They also will help you chose every detail of your home down to the paint colors, molding, siding, brick, furniture, kitchen, doorknobs, faucets, pretty much every single item in the house. They provide construction management and act as an overseer to the entire construction. They provide interior design services as part of their overall design package. Typically this kind of architect has a full team of other design professionals with them that you will interact with within their firm and will have to rely on that team for all aspects of the project. In exchange for this concierge style experience expect architectural fees to be 10% or more of the construction cost of the project plus design fees and consultation fees from other trades. You will not know your total cost for architectural services until this project is completed.

To be an architect and not a designer, you must have a state issued Architectural License. The official term is a Registered Architect. To obtain such a license you have completed 5-7 years of college from an accredited school to earn a Bachelors or Masters in Architecture depending on your specific track. A Registered Architect has completed multiple years of internship/apprenticing under another Architect to learn the trade among other necessary skillsets, much like a residency to become a Doctor. Finally a Registered Architect has to pass 7 different very comprehensive licensing exams to show competency and understanding of the craft, code, construction, materials, systems, operations, design and many other categories. Architects also take continuing education courses to maintain their license to remain up to date with the ever evolving trade we work in.