Text by Linda MacArthur, AIA
The design process to craft something new and individual is not a straight line. A good architect will first listen to a client and think about not only what was said, but also what was not said. An architect will consider the location of the house and the surroundings, and then approach a blank sheet of paper to start sketching. After a review with clients that might involve the interior designer and landscape architect, the project can shift according to input, opinions, and advice from the collaborators.
When the collaborators meet, that is when the magic happens, and it’s wonderful! Yes, that can be an expensive meeting in terms of hourly fees, but it can also be one of the most crucial in terms of design efficiency—and that means a huge savings in the long run. When each collaborator and the client can meet to share information and “riff” their design thoughts, the experience is like a jam session, and instead of guitars, everyone has their magic markers, pencils, and rolls of tracing paper. Clients really should be active participants and provide the much-needed direction to all the harmonies being sounded out.
In one such collaboration, a client expressed how they love to entertain. We situated the bar in the house so that it could serve not just the dining area but also the family rooms and outside to the pool. It would become a key space and a hub of activity. Our thought was to create a “club car” feel, and we worked closely with both the interior designer and kitchen/millwork designer to deliver that luxe feel. The drawings were equally shared with every designer, knowing the goal was able to work in tandem despite being in separate offices.
And on a final note, don’t forget the builder in the process. Just as a good bass player provides lower key support in a song, so the builder provides the “how to” for all the creators.
