.png){kind=small}
Often clients default to assuming that their project requires an architect, but frequently it does not. Learn how to know if yours does, and a look at how we managed a recent large renovation without one.
When Do You Need an Architect for Your Home Renovation?
For some projects, an architect is non-negotiable. This will include any project that includes an addition to your existing home, as well as changing, raising, or adding a roof. In other instances, an architect is likely necessary if adding a porch, moving structural beams, adding new plumbing or major HVAC, or in circumstances where a building permit is required. So what’s left? There are many scopes of work that require no architect– particularly with a designer who has the requisite education and experience in the built environment. This is common in the Washington DC area, where there is a deep talent pool of experts in architecture and interior design. But, to be sure, picking finishes is different than planning a schematic design, which is different from drafting things like floor plans and reflected ceiling plans in AutoCAD. You can find the right talent for you, and often at significant overall cost savings with a One Stop Shop! To be sure, anytime you are hiring professionals to guide your decision-making, envision and create a space, direct the trades, and pick finishes, you can often benefit from hiring one firm to do it all.
An architect was needed for some of the unfinished basement scope of work. We changed some features of the design from how the architect originally drew it, including removing doors between the family room and game room to promote open circulation instead.
No Architect Needed for Many Projects!
For bedroom or kitchen renovations, you commonly can significantly update your space without an architect. Similarly, if you are removing or relocating existing interior walls, consulting a structural engineer alongside an interior designer will give you clarity on options within your existing home, and a designer can suggest new ways to use the space you have. Similarly, you can often install new exterior windows and doors without an architect, as well as remodel every inch of your existing home with your designer. We had a recent client, who wanted to change the layout of their first floor, move some windows and a back door, and dreaded the prospect of finding an architect, scheduling appointments, and dealing with additional logistics and timeline challenges. In reviewing the scope of desired changes, however, we had great news: Lorla Studio could handle it all! No need to find another professional and coordinate schedules– just over to Lorla, and wah-lah!
The powder room before is unrecognizable from what it looks like today. The dramatic powder room after photo features a custom designed marble vanity and sink, but all plumbing was kept in the same place.
“It Depends”
A common challenge for the interior design field is the wide variety of expertise within the cadre of professionals. It may go without saying, but not all designers are the same. If you are taking on a home renovation that does not include relocating plumbing significantly, or an addition, talk to your designer about the potential option to exclude some professional services and the designer’s comfort and ability to execute the work. Architects are often not necessary if your updates do not affect the structure of the home, or moving major systems. That said, you will still need a trained architectural designer who not only has an eye for finishes and spaces, but can produce detailed drawings to scale and create key documents like finish schedules that are key for trades to implement the design.
Some projects begin with an architect, because clients assume that they will need one. The honest truth is that architects are often more focused on the exterior shape and elevation than how you use or live in the home. In fact, many architects will focus on designing the structure of the space based on the outside elevations, and defer to an on-staff interior designer for non-structural decisions. That said, there are some architects who want full control, designing the exterior of the home down to choosing every cabinet pull. More often, though, architects prefer to pass off the details and interiors to a designer, focusing instead on the overall layout, design of the exterior of the house and the structural logistics.
We transformed this primary bathroom while keeping the plumbing locations more or less the same.
Let Your Priorities Drive Your Approach
If you think about your priorities, determine what is more important to you: the exterior look of your home, or how it feels to live in it. We generally find that most clients want to ensure a home that suits their needs and how they live, and appreciate the time savings, efficiency, and attention to detail that’s brought by a designer-led project. As such, we suggest that you consider starting your project by first conferring with an interior designer, who can give you greater control that your end result aligns with your priorities. If early discussions indicate the need for an architect, then a good designer will be able to help you identify options that suit your needs, align with your values and aesthetic, and results in a very pleasing final result.
Exterior front before and DC modern home painted dark grey by Lorla Studio.
Forest Hills: A Full Home Transformation Without an Architect
To put a finer point on the decision of going architect-first or designer-first and determining what professional services you need for your project, let’s look at our recent full-home renovation in Forest Hills as a case study, highlighting what work needed an architect and what didn’t.
When we were first brought onto the project, our client had already been working with an architect on the design of the unfinished basement. The architect brought on structural and mechanical engineers, and worked with them to locate the HVAC system, new plumbing, and provided a loose outline of what the unfinished basement would look like– including the suggested size and location of rooms. Lorla Studio took over from there, not just the work of designing the new finished basement, but leading the renovation of the entire home, coordinating trades, and ensuring the clients’ needs were reflected in all decision-making in implementing the remodel.
We updated the architect’s computer-assisted design (CAD) files for the basement to fine-tune the design, shifting some of the dimensions and fully detailing the space, including every interior elevation, a finish plan, reflected ceiling plan (RCP, which lays out the locations for light fixtures on the ceiling), custom home gym design, a custom kitchen complete with paneled appliances and custom millwork, and … shhhh … we even designed a hidden room that is only accessible via a secret door. In other projects, we have originated our own CAD files for the interior space, which then serve as the starting point for the entire project. Yes, we can take care of all of this for you!
Projects can be very large in scale and dramatic in transformation without an architect. In Forest Hills, the client ended up shifting much of the scope of work originally planned for the architect to us. We ended up doing all the drawings (elevations, shop drawings for custom mill work, electrical plan, etc), in addition to the general scope of work more commonly expected for interior designers, such as selecting new finishes, fixtures and materials throughout the entire project. We designed custom cabinets for the kitchen, introduced new custom cabinets for the mudroom and laundry room, and painted the entire exterior of the home. Our scope of work grew significantly, as the clients found themselves more satisfied with our attention to detail, reliability, communication, and ability to execute a design that was focused on the client’s needs. This took months, a significant investment of money and trust from the client, and the resulting transformation was vast.
Transform Your DC Home
Whether you’re embarking on kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, or a full home renovation, you don’t always need an architect. Even if you do, consider making Lorla Studio your first stop to achieve a beautiful, functional home designed to fit your lifestyle. Contact us to learn more about our design-build remodeling services in Forest Hills, Washington, DC.
How You Can Work With Us
At Lorla Studio, a modern interior design firm in Washington, D.C, our talented team of designers craft modern, livable and functional spaces throughout the district and beyond. Hire us for a seamless renovation process, and a modern, approachable design you are sure to love!
Check out the five questions to ask yourself before hiring an interior designer in Washington D.C. If you think we’d make a good team, contact us today!
Ready to transform your space with us?
Comments