What does an architect do? How to find and hire an architect? How to work with and get the most of your architect? What are their fees? These are some of the common queries that Dalia Sadany addresses in this article about the architect which also includes tips and useful illustrative diagrams.

1. 26 Dalia speaks SEPTEMBER 2011 27
In this article I will discuss the most
important key player of your team ” The
ARCHITECT ”
Even if you are working within a
tight budget, it does not make good
economical sense to cut corners on
designer’s fees , I recommend you hire a
good professional aware designer. Since
talented professionals will help you avoid
costly mistakes and can assure that the
home you build is ideally suited for the
way you live and in every possible means
within your desired budget.
What is an Architect?
The most basic definition of an architect
is a professional who is qualified
to design and provide advice both
aesthetic and technical - on built objects
in our public and private projects. But
this definition barely scratches the
surface of an architect's role. Architects
serve as trusted advisors, their role is
holistic, blending diverse requirements
and disciplines in a creative process, architect to get a builder/ tract home as organized but gives the best value for
while serving the public interest and your end result, you use an architect so money. This is accomplished, in part, by
addressing health and safety matters. that dreams can be visualized, created eliminating useless and poorly planned
THE ARCHITECT
and built. An architect brings many spaces, and by specifying materials and
An Architect is an individual experienced creative and innovative ideas to the table. verifying building costs.
in architectural design process and Not just following trends but creating
construction, they are licensed them around you and your home. They To do this, they coordinate the services
professionals in designing buildings, and have the ability to help you see things of the different engineers (civil,
they have a university degree in that field, about a home or your way of living that electrical, sanitary etc) to ensure that
"Dalia Sadany Ask Magazine's design consultant, Cheif Designer & Founder of and have completed lengthy internships you may never have considered before. the design works and is buildable.
Dezines Architecture & Interiors, Managing Director & Partner of Divine Contracting for years, in all diversified branches from Your home is your sanctuary, private They prepare a comprehensive set
design to construction detailed studies retreat and castle; it's the architects’ job of design/ construction drawings
is dewelling into the world of Architecture, Interior Design and Contracting." to site execution of work. This diversity to bring it to fruition. and supplement it with well written
means that architects can see possibilities specifications, BOQs which are the
and find solutions to all needs. Perhaps, it would be best to describe tender documentation required to
In the previous article we discussed how to start planning building your dream home, so by now you have the plot architects as conductors who orchestrate execute the work. The construction
of land, done your preliminary financial assessment of approximately how much you are willing to invest in your Architects do not just draft up house and takes the lead in coordinating all drawings and specifications produced
project and on the threshold of the most relevant stage which is teaming up your crew. plans for the contractor to build. An instruments, reconciling all engineering by the Architect should illustrate exactly
architect works with you. They try to forms for a building or other structure, the building the Client expects.
We also discussed thoroughly the following three methods of going about turning your dream home into reality understand your needs and collaborate mastering the sense of awareness for any
and explained the pros and cons of each method. with you to create a design or vision of off-key note , into a perfect harmonious These set of drawings will be very
your project/ home. You don't go to an symphony of an inhabited sculpture . technical and include very detailed
A. You act as your own architect and contractor plans, elevations and sections. They
B. You act as your own architect and hire a professional contractor What service do Architects provide? will be dimensioned to indicate the
C. You hire both the architect and contractor Architects work closely with owners to size, height, depth, etc. Also included
make sure that the project design meets are callouts pointing to drawing details
their needs, is functional, economical that communicate to the contractor
So I will elaborate on the third choice where you have chosen to follow my motto of hiring "pros to do pro jobs"
and safe ,They can even assist with site the different assemblies required. It
and hire both the architect and contractor. selection at first .Architects are involved is important to note, that the more
from the earliest stages of a building information provided in these drawings
To my knowledge the differentiation of the different role players in any project is not very knowledgeable to project, which starts with developing to the contractor the more detailed he
everyone , and immense mix-ups occur to owners in the process of fulfilling their dream project whether a multi- ideas with the client, establishing budgets, has to present his bid accurately. This in
million dollar project or a personal residential property that is why I would start this trip by emphasizing the roles of assessing the needs of the building. One turn reduces the possibility of change
key players in the execution of any building as well as the criteria to choosing and handling these role players and of the most important benefits of having orders which requests to increase their
the elaborate channels and methods of contracting to reach the ultimate goal of perfection in executing any job. an architect is space planning. Good fees, because of information that was not
space planning not only helps one feel included in the first place.
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2. 28 Dalia speaks SEPTEMBER 2011 29
Part of your costs for your project will • Check out online directories, for the websites
be the design fees and naturally you of Architects.
would be worried about the architect • Check out specialized magazines for
you end up working with. That actually information’s about architecture.
is a key point to consider, the "working • Check out a literature as in a portfolio that
relationship" you develop with your describes the firm's qualifications and
architect not only for design purposes, experience.
but also because he or she will be your
representative throughout the project. After you have prepared your short
list of possible architects, you
You will be working with them for a good need to follow these procedures.
deal of time so having rapport and good
communication is a vital key point. 1. Call prospective architects. Find out whether
they would be interested in your project.
Talking to your architect enables you to 2. Meet with several prospective architects.
verbalize your needs and desires for your 3. Confirm that the architect you are meeting
project. It helps the architect understand is the person who will actually work on your
where you are coming from and to project.
respond appropriately. Your home is a 4. Determine your architect's design
philosophy.
very personal and private part of your
5. Ask how long the project will take.
life, bringing in an architect to become 6. Discuss fees and anticipated construction
part of this process requires a relationship costs.
built on trust. Remember that when you 7. Ask for references from past clients. Find
work with the right architect, it's a home out how past clients feel about their new
you are designing and not just a house home.
8. Visit at least one project by your prospective
Therefore it's advisable to make a short list architect. Ask the owners about any
of Architects via the following channels; problems that may have been encountered
In addition to producing technical 5- Using software packages such as during the design and construction of the
drawings, the architect should also Computer Aided Design (CAD) to project.
provide rendered drawings, whether present drawings, as well as colored • Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers
9. Interview prospective architects at their changes. To prevent confusion, always during the design phase and site
plans or elevations, as well as 3D illustrated presentations and /or 3D max about their architects. offices, if possible. go through your architect inspections during the construction
colored drawings of the project showing presentations • Also check with contractors you might know 10. Plan to spend at least one hour on your phase. The fee structures are typically
the design and the materials used for 6- Producing detailed workings drawings about the best architects they have worked first meeting with a prospective architect. These tips will help you work with your based on a percentage of construction
presentation and client approval. with to find the names of architects who architect as you plan your building or value, a visit rate or a fixed lump sum
and quantity specifications(BOQs)
designed projects similar to the one you plan. remodeling project. fee. Combinations of these structures
7- Specifying the nature and quality of How to work with an Architect?
They also help you find the right materials required Provide your architect with as much are also common. Generally, architects
contractor, work closely with them 8- Preparing tender applications and information as possible, invite them to 1. Explain your needs and desires in detail. use a fixed fee for The first component
on site, guides the Client though the presentations (i.e. all the necessary 2. Listen to your architect's ideas. ;the phase of the work that they have
see the site or send them digital photos,
building and design processes, and acts 3. Ask how long the project will take. the most control over, such as the
documents for tenders) discuss your proposed construction
4. Discuss fees. preparation of design, and use a fixed
as the Client's agent or representative 9- Preparing drawings and documents budget (remain open minded to an 5. Unless you already know your preferred
with the Contractor during construction for permits approval architect's comments regarding your rate for the second component which is
style, ask your architect to guide you
to maintain the design and quality 10- Helping choosing the appropriate budget), clarify if you have a preferred through all different styles until you discover the phases that are less predictable, like
of your project and be your advocate contractor ,and negotiating with him style, mention your preferences for your preferrance. site supervision. Generally the architect
throughout the entire process, ensuring 11- Project managing and co- a sustainable home, etc. The more 6. Agree on a construction budget. or their representative makes one visit
that works are carried out to specific coordinating the work of contractors information you provide, the better able 7. Review your architect's detail drawings. per week unless there is a problem and
standards and, above all, ensuring that 12- Regular site visits to check on they are to develop their designs. When These will include specific information their presence is requested on site.
the building is sustainable, functional progress, ensuring that the project is ranging from cabinet knobs to plumbing
your “Avant projet “ is done and your
and aesthetically pleasing. fixtures. Request changes if needed When you sit with your Architect you
running on time and to budget architects calculates the approximate
8. With your architect's guidance, choose a
13- Resolving problems and issues that budgeting for your project and it exceeds can have an approximate idea at first of
building contractor.
From my extensive experience in the field, arise during construction how much you were willing to invest, the construction cost in a very simple
9. Allow your architect to negotiate a contract
stay alert and make sure your agreement 14- Supplying any altered drawings discuss with your architect alternative with the contractor. method, you calculate your built up
with your architect , abides him to the during the construction process construction methods, maybe , using 10. Keep talking and listening. area, multiply it by the number of floors
following points; 15- Acting as the owner representative alternative feasible materials or ask your add to it an extra floor which is the cost
in matters of dispute with contractor architect for ideas. Remember you are not just of the foundations and then multiply it
1- Can assist in site selection Basically controlling a project from constructing a building you by the factor cost per meter squared for
2- Discussing the objectives, start to finish concrete and brick work, which is usually
Keep the lines of communication are building A HOME .
requirements and budget of a project open. Falling back on my experience a very well known fixed figure that
3- Consulting with other professionals How to choose an Architect? where I play the role of an Architect How to Pay an Architect? only varies according to market cost of
about the design Selecting an architect probably is not in some projects and the contractor in Architect fees in Egypt are generally cement, iron, bricks and other building
4- Preparing and presenting feasibility an easy task for anyone considering a others immense problems occur when split into two components by phase – materials at the time.
reports and design proposals to the client; remodel or new custom home design. you go straight to the contractor for preparing the project design documents
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3. 30 Dalia speaks SEPTEMBER 2011 31
To give you an approximate margin The design phase and its
for calculating the Architects fees,
here is a simple rule; components
A- Fixed fees are usually based on an a To simplify matters for you I have decided
project's allocated construction cost to present the Architects design &
and can range between 10 to 15 % of supervision responsibilities as well as the
new construction of residential projects drawings you are expecting to receive
depending on the cost, size and in your design package in the following
my numerous interviews with clients, I
What you
complexity of the project. Renovation two diagrams.
have raised a talent in knowing exactly
projects typically command higher who runs the show in the design decision
percentages, as high as 15-22%. Since The Architect is definitely the
process and eventually skillfully divert
B- As for the fixed rate per visit, this is
usually calculated as in the range of 1
my focus to zones and aspects that
interest the dominant party for example
if it’s the wife more attention is given to
need to do master key player, now you basically
have a thorough idea of his definition,
his/her role ,how to deal and pay him/
to 2% per visit of his fixed fees for the
design phase.
practicality of zones used by her such
as kitchens, storage areas and service and know in her, in the next article we will discuss
the contractor as well as several ways
of calculating the contractor’s fees
the design
quarters as well as the mere beauty and
Some Architects have a lump sum figure in addition to several methods of
the comfort as a whole, but when the
for the design phase “ a quota “, and this of contracting that you can tackle.
husband is the one in lead , I stress on
phase
course depends on several variables, the comfort and functionality of zones such You can reach me at my email
project’s size , the complexity of the design as home offices, living rooms and of askdalia@ask.com
requested, the portfolio of the Architect course entertainment rooms as well as
whether he /she is a reputable , well known budgeting. So make sure you choose a
designer or a relatively young aspiring one. Smart Architect.
1-As we clarified earlier an Architect
is a professional individual trained
Tips; and experienced to design your
1- Make sure you question about the Architects
fees when you meet him /her house in the best possible means,
2- Make sure all means of payments are but don’t ever forget that it’s your
clarified in your contract with the architects home and should mirror you as well
whether the installments are date of work as reflect your needs and style ,so
delivery or phase related. you should be involved closely in
3- Question your Architect about any extra the design process
fees for any alterations you request due to
your change of mind in any aspect.
2-Make sure that you have a clear
4- As for inevitable alterations during the
execution phase due to mistakes in design vision of how many zones you need
prior to the design phase , so that it
or lack of necessary data in his drawings that
are not a contractor’s fault in construction Design is clarified to your architect prior to
and were not obvious to the contractor to doing the actual design phase , take
question before the start of work are all Last but not least I will finalize this article your time to decide on these factors
alterations free of charge . by discussing what you need to do and and make sure you discuss them
5- In case you want a preliminary presentation know to get your aspired design and with your family for enlightening
from your short listed Architect before participation
what drawings you expect to receive in
deciding to sign up with him, there is a
retainer to be paid at first as fees for the work
your package from your Architect.
he/she will perform on this presentation 3- Most of the professional Architects
that if you decide on signing up with will be To me the biggest perk to designing your would have some sort of a thorough
inclusive in his fees. own house, is that you have the absolute questionnaire for you to fill in
freedom to design EXACTLY what you on your own , or with them that
want. You get to dream it all out to the answers most of the inquisitions
Hints finest detail, you get to customize your about your life style, preferences,
Trust me a good smart Architect is more house to fulfill all yours and your family’s favorite aspects as in style, zoning
like a psychiatrist , he will be able in your requests. It time to fall back on every etc . so make sure you discuss all
first visit to read your mind , understand desire you had or came across in a home departments of that questionnaire if
your life style, detect your preferences, and carve all together to form a visual available thoroughly for elimination
and sense who is the decision maker. In representation of you and your taste. of confusion and TAKE YOUR TIME.
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