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I guess I’m spoiled. My parents had a fabulous architect who designed their first house, a cypress contemporary, back in the early 1950’s. He also designed two additions.
We were very pleased with the architect who designed our first little house in the early 80’s – contemporary, passive solar, very inventive. But the arrival of LOTS of children forced a move to a house that we didn’t build. It’s a nice enough house, but it doesn’t feel like ours, and we’re looking to build again.
Our former architect (recommended by a friend) is now also retired and moved out of town. (Sigh.)
The Atlanta GA area is full of identical clone stucco monsters and brick pseudo-Georgians and the architects who design them. How does one go about finding an architect of the contemporary and inventive sort (such as found in your pages)?
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As an architect, one of my great frustrations is the apparently endless supply of clients who want to build those nasty tract mansions and "Pella window show-room houses" (How many diffrently-shpaed windows can you cram into one ugly facade?).
Your best resource are the clients who have built better-designed homes. After putting in the effort to have a home custom-designed, a client is thrilled to have someone stop and ring their bell and ask who their Architect was. Also, you can check out the shelter magazines: Metropolitan Home, Elle Decor, House & Garden. While they focus on interiors, many of the articles address the architecture as well.
Don't give in--there are too few home-owners who care about design as much as you seem to.
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I guess I'm spoiled. My parents had a fabulous architect who designed their first house, a cypress contemporary, back in the early 1950's. He also designed two additions.
We were very pleased with the architect who designed our first little house in the early 80's - contemporary, passive solar, very inventive. But the arrival of LOTS of children forced a move to a house that we didn't build. It's a nice enough house, but it doesn't feel like ours, and we're looking to build again.
Our former architect (recommended by a friend) is now also retired and moved out of town. (Sigh.)
The Atlanta GA area is full of identical clone stucco monsters and brick pseudo-Georgians and the architects who design them. How does one go about finding an architect of the contemporary and inventive sort (such as found in your pages)?
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Interview, interview, interview!!!!!
I'm a builder who holds many architects in distain; and I'm married to one.
There are good ones as you know but some are not.
Luck isn't something you should count on; I'm sure you're aware of that though.
Try the local AIA for listing and begin calling.
I went through 10 before finding one we could work with. He passed away and it took 3 years to find another.
Good luck