Working with an architect results in a custom project tailored to your individual needs for your residential or commercial space, and for the specifics of your site. A well-designed project enhances the way one lives and works, and creates an inspiring, productive and sustainable environment meant to last beyond current trends and fashions, for generations to follow.
What role should I expect my architect to play?
Architecture encompasses many specialty fields; the architect knows a little about each trade and consults with the appropriate experts at each stage of the project to ensure it meets your design objectives. Architects will design the project, specify materials, and coordinate with the consultants and contractor.
What can I do the expedite the process?
Building faster is not always better. The end product is most successful when the client, architect and contractor are given enough time to think things through, refine decisions and details, and execute the work carefully. Your selected contractor will be able to determine a more precise schedule based on your specific project.
How important is it to determine a budget prior to design and building?
Even if financing is not an issue, it is critical to determine your budget and be vocal about it from the very beginning. No clear budget leads to confusion. Knowing your budget helps us understand your expectations, assemble the right team and create an appropriate design.
Who is responsible for determine the cost of my project?
Architects are not cost estimators. We have a general understanding of costs, but we do not determine the pricing. For definitive budget and pricing, the services of a qualified contractor, cost estimator or construction manager should be retained early on in the schematic design phase.
What’s the typical range for architectural fees?
Our work intentionally spans across several fields, programs and scales. After understanding what your needs are, we will present our fees to you in a proposal. We can work within most budgets or scales.
You seem modern, will you help me with my historic home?
Absolutely, and congrats on having the most sustainable space of all. Some of our favorite projects have been solving historical puzzles. We love the opportunity to modernize the everyday while maintaining the integrity of the original space. (Look no further than our own studio for an example!) There are rare cases where the integrity is long gone and not financially viable to save. We work closely with engineers and are familiar with how to advise in these specific situations.
What kind of commercial spaces do you design?
We have extensive background in commercial building. We have designed manufacturing facilities, doctor offices, restaurants, and retail shops, and more.
Do you do projects outside of Northern Michigan?
Yes. We are happy to hear about your projects wherever they may be. We’ve worked on projects in Florida, Illinois, New York and beyond. It is not uncommon for us to travel to Leelanau, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Frankfort, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit, the Upper Peninsula or other neighboring cities outside of Traverse City as well.
Do you work in the winter?
You betcha. It is often misunderstood that there is a short season for construction here in Northern Michigan. January in our studio is just as busy as August.
Do you know a good landscape architect, engineer or millworker?
We have developed many professional relationships over the years and would love to share contacts who are best suited for your project.
The Front of your studio says ‘Smith & Jones’, who’s Jones?
When we purchased the building in 2010, our first stop was the Historical Society of Traverse City, where we found an 1898 phonebook with the owner’s name listed for our studio’s address: E.S. Jones. Loving the anonymity of the two words combined, we thought it was a nice nod to the past, while celebrating the future. Since that time, it has been pointed out that the entire neighborhood believes the first owner was actually Coleman. Learn more about our buildings rich history HERE.
