Question 1

I'm not sure I need an architect for this project.. can you help me decide?

Accepted Answer

Every renovation or construction project is different. Sometimes you need a whole team,  and for other projects it doesn't make sense. Hiring an architect or designer has some strong benefits. At the most basic level, they will organize your project; reducing risk, expense, and construction time. When fixing a mistake can be the single most expensive part of construction project, having  a designer on staff to prevent those incidents can protect your budget.

We're happy to help you determine the needs of your project. Click the "Book a call" button to schedule.

Question 2

Architect? Designer? Interior Designer? Design/Build? What is the difference?

Accepted Answer

Licensed Architect
Licensed architects complete extensive education, examination, and experience requirements to design complex, buildings. They can handle commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, multi-family housing, and stadiums, just to name a few. The architect's role is not only to design the layout and details of the building, but to prescribe construction materials and methods to complete the project effectively. They are often well-trained in spatial relationships, code compliance, safety, comfort, aesthetics and an array of similar physical and psychological skills. They are the master organizers of construction projects and often hire other specialists or consultants to assist in their work. Their licensure allows them to design sophisticated solutions, and complex material strategies.  They stamp and seal drawings, taking professional liability for projects above certain size or complexity thresholds. They typically oversee construction long past the design phase, acting as the advocate of the owner.

Architectural Designer  - (Hey, thats us!)
Architectural designers perform similar work to architects on residential and other smaller projects, with each state setting it's own standards on the scope of these professionals. Like architects, these designers are skilled at creating layouts and ensuring code compliance and general organization of the project.  They produce floor plans, elevations, sections, and construction details, as well as 3D renderings and physical or digital models that help you visualize the project before construction begins. These visual tools communicate design intent and spatial relationships clearly. They specify outlet and lighting locations, coordinate with structural engineers, and prepare complete construction document sets. Their work encompasses space planning, building envelope design, material specifications, and code analysis. The primary distinction is scope—they focus on projects within certain size limits, while architects can take on any project type or scale.

Interior Designer
Interior designers craft the aesthetic vision for your spaces and manage the complex logistics of executing it. They develop cohesive style concepts, then source materials and fixtures from trade-only suppliers, allowing their clients to have access to a large variety of high-quality materials and goods not available to the general public. Beyond selection, they coordinate ordering, shipping, warehousing, and installation sequencing across dozens of vendors and products. They manage lead times—some fixtures take months to arrive—and ensure everything arrives in the right order for efficient installation. They problem-solve when products are discontinued or delayed, maintain quality control during installation, and orchestrate the timing so painters, flooring contractors, tile setters, and furniture deliveries don't conflict.

Builder/Contractor
Builders are often overlooked as design professionals, yet they routinely design solutions for framing details, trim work, cabinetry, and creative material applications. They are often the first step, and the best step for solving problems with a house or building. Other designers of all sorts often rely on the builders to provide "shop drawings" or schematics of specific solutions to small-scope problems in the field.

Structural Engineer
Structural engineers calculate and design systems supporting your building. They size beams, columns, and foundations for building weight plus loads from occupants, furniture, snow, and wind. In New Hampshire, residential projects require structural engineering based on town snow loads defined by the Army Corps of Engineers. They provide stamped drawings confirming structural adequacy.

Design/Build Firm
Design/build firms integrate designers and builders under one roof, creating tight collaboration that improves efficiency in specific project types and construction methods. Their teams develop specialized expertise in particular building styles or techniques. Sometimes they have limieted adaptability to varied project approaches or tighter budgets compared to separate designer/builder partnerships.

Landscape Architects
Landscape architects are the heroes protecting our man-made constructions against the powers of nature. They handle water run-off, erosion control, environmental impacts, and so much more. Having a great landscape architect often makes the difference of whether or not your project's permits get accepted - especially if you own a piece of waterfront.

Question 3

I've never worked with an architect or designer before. What does the process look like?

Accepted Answer

Stage 1: Onboarding
The first step is to have a conversation. We'll discuss what's going on with your property, what your goals and concerns are, and measure those against your budget, timeline, and our capacity.  If we are a match, we move forward

Stage 2: Programming
Now we examine your site and local ordinance to identify any conflicts and begin strategizing to meet your goals. We do a deep dive into how you currently live, how you would like to use your property in the future, creating a detailed list for us to execute towards.

Stage 3: Schematic Design
We apply design thinking toward the data we've gathered, explore broad ideas through sketches of layout, massing, circulation, views, building performance principles, etc. Our result from this stage is a cohesive concept meeting all your goals.

Stage 4: Design Development
We deep-dive into code compliance and building performance analysis. If a builder has been selected, we start involving them in the review process. We work through choices on materials, finishes, built-ins, mechanical and electrical systems. We end this phase with a polished design and all it's components.

Stage 5: Construction Documentation
This phase we work through all of the heavy drafting and specification writing. We create a detailed set of drawings and specs so that your building gets built as intended, and as efficiently as possible. This is typically the longest phase of working with an architect or designer, and takes the most work on our end.

Stage 6: Construction Administration
Throughout the construction period we act as the owner's advocate, visiting the site, inspecting the quality and accuracy of the build, and answering any questions the builder has.  We review change orders and submittals. The goal isn't to manage the contractor, but to help catch and correct any issues early and help insure the project is built correctly.

Question 4

How much does it cost to hire you for my project?

Accepted Answer

Unlike most design firms, we work primarily on a flat fee. We take the time to understand the scope of your needs then estimate what we need to make it happen. This usually takes a couple of meetings before we have a number. It's not perfect, but we don't believe in percentage-based pricing that can swing wildly with the market.

While establishing complex projects, sometimes we work on an hourly rate until we can estimate our total input.

Flat Fees are billed at the beginning and end of each phase of design. Hourly billing is per month.

Question 5

This is too much information at once. Do you have any additional materials to help me think about this?

Accepted Answer

We recommend the following books for anyone considering a new home or renovation project.
The authors are all seasoned professionals (mostly licensed architects) and they do a wonderful job establishing many of the ideas that inform our process in a clear, accessible, easy-to-read way. Honestly there are so many great books out there but each of these presents important concepts in a way that non-professionals will enjoy reading.

Pretty Good House
Discusses the basics of building performance without getting into certifications, rating systems, or other nonsense*

Prescriptions For A Healthy House - 4th Edition
This is an excellent resource for exactly what it says. We spend a lot of time in our homes. They can be a huge source of exposure to toxins and other problems, even if we follow all the building codes creating them.  We reference this text during every project.

The Not So Big House
Actually has a whole series - 4 or 5 of them now. They're all by Sarah Susanka and have "Not So Big" in the title. They are great books, they will introduce you to some of the design thinking for creating comfortable spaces. They're a bit dated in the photography, but the concepts remain very strong.

We recommend getting used copies at your library, through Thriftbooks.com, or your local bookstore. They're also available from Amazon.

*Nonsense in this case means the complicated discussion about green-washing, point-chasing, material and carbon economics, synthetic vs natural and active vs passive strategies, etc. It's a rabbit hole of a conversation. Happy to discuss over a coffee or a beer if you're interested.

DRAWN HOME STUDIO

A
Natural
Building
Design
Firm

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”

- John Muir, Co-founder of the Sierra Club

THE STUDIO

"It's in the act of making things that we figure out who we are."
- Austin Kleon, artist & author

Meet the Team

A Different shade of Green.

"Big problems require small solutions"
- Seth Godin

SELECT WORKS

FAQ

I'm not sure I need an architect for this project.. can you help me decide?

Architect? Designer? Interior Designer? Design/Build? What is the difference?

I've never worked with an architect or designer before. What does the process look like?

How much does it cost to hire you for my project?

This is too much information at once. Do you have any additional materials to help me think about this?

admin@drawnhome.studio

A Natural Building Design Firm

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”

- John Muir, Co-founder of the Sierra Club

THE STUDIO

"It's in the act of making things that we figure out who we are." - Austin Kleon, artist & author

Meet the Team

A Different shade of Green.

"Big problems require small solutions" - Seth Godin

SELECT WORKS

FAQ

I'm not sure I need an architect for this project.. can you help me decide?

Architect? Designer? Interior Designer? Design/Build? What is the difference?

I've never worked with an architect or designer before. What does the process look like?

How much does it cost to hire you for my project?

This is too much information at once. Do you have any additional materials to help me think about this?

admin@drawnhome.studio

A
Natural
Building
Design
Firm

"It's in the act of making things that we figure out who we are."
- Austin Kleon, artist & author

"Big problems require small solutions"
- Seth Godin