Q. Your full-service design firm centers around residential architecture and interior design for single-family and multi-family unit buildings and additions, renovations and new construction. Have you always focused on residential?
After I left school, I worked for a commercial architectural firm for six years. I got my license and was asked to be an associate. However, friends and family were asking me to do their basements and porches, and I thought, why not hang a shingle and try residential? After much deliberation, I did. Eighteen years later, I’m still doing it and loving it.
Q. What influenced you to become an architect? Was it always your calling?
I have a lot of artists in my family. My sisters and dad were graphic designers. I was artistic and skilled at drawing. I helped my dad mix paints for his impressionistic/abstract painting because he was partially color-blind. I learned a lot about color and composition. Long story short, I was the mechanically inclined guy. I could build things and I could take things apart. People said, “You should be an engineer!” I thought, “Great!” because who wants to be a starving artist?
I loved mathematics, including physics and calculus, so I went to University of Cincinnati as an engineering major. After the first couple of quarters, I realized I needed something more creative. I saw a friend drafting in his dorm room and asked, “What’s your major?” He said, “Architectural engineering.” I switched to that major and excelled in that program but still wanted more of a design focus, so I transferred to DAAP which was still within UC. Finally, I found what I was created to do.
Q. You are passionate about enhancing life and lifestyle by creating beautiful spaces and paying great attention to details. Please tell us more about that.
I am interested in the concept as well as the detail, and people appreciate the thoughtfulness that goes into my work. The materials we use and the way they come together are extremely important. Our service level is complete and extensive, and we like to eliminate any surprises during construction. Our attention to detail sets us apart from many other building designers and architects in town. While many architects focus on details, we take it to a higher level.
Q. Do you have a favorite architectural style?
I appreciate many architectural styles, but I’m probably categorized by our modern architecture. I promote it because I’m excited about it, primarily because it expresses quiet simplicity. It’s unadorned. It’s focused more on the surroundings versus the elements themselves.
Q. How important is it to you to use sustainable products?
Very important. We need to protect the earth and design responsibly to sustain our resources. All of our designs, including new construction projects, consider the climate and the house’s position relative to the sun’s path. Using glass where appropriate, controlling solar gain — it all has to do with sustainability and energy efficiency. All of those factors inform the design more so than style.
Q. Tell us about your process.
We start by listening attentively to understand our clients’ desires, goals and objectives so that we can solve design problems effectively and efficiently. We discuss design options and then begin Phase 1: Preliminary Design. A Preliminary Design pricing package is developed, which is the halfway point where contractors prepare costs relative to a complete design. That includes drawings at design development-level detail along with material and product allowances. Once that first phase is complete and a client understands the costs, we can rework the design as needed to reduce scope and costs to align with their desired budget.
Next is Phase 2: Selection Assistance and Phase 3: Construction Documents: This is where details and specifications are refined and prepared for construction. We help clients decide on appliances, flooring, tile, lighting, cabinetry and plumbing. After these phases are complete, we oversee the construction process to ensure effective communication, quality control and efficient project completion.
Because our services are hourly, we establish an estimated fee at the beginning of the project for each phase so clients know what to expect. We explain to each client that conducting site visits not only ensures the project is executed per specifications but it benefits the contractors, which is why we do it. While they typically focus on day-to-day work, we know the project and its details better than anyone else and we make sure nothing is overlooked.
Q. Where are your projects located?
I’m licensed in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. We’ve done work in all those areas and I’m open to other regional work if the right client comes along.
Q. Are you involved in historic renovations?
Yes. It’s about detail sensibility and being sensitive to the existing architecture and fabric of each unique community. The goal of historic preservation is to preserve the architecture of before by creating something new that doesn’t duplicate but compliments.