#acv2

Recently, we have had a handful prospective clients asking us about the process of hiring talking to an architect about a house remodel. They are nervous about how to get things going, how much our services cost, and if we will bill them for coming out to their house to discuss a project? (short answer to the last question: nope)

I have to admit that I feel exactly the same way about doctors, accountants, attorneys and most other professional service providers. I just never know where the "hidden charges" will be or when that bill will arrive in the mail. 

Initial client meeting and site visit for a house renovation. The e-brake on Patri's car (pictured) worked overtime at this site.

As for how we start the design process, we typically meet with the client at the project site (their home, in the case of a home renovation), so we can better understand the extent of the work. The conversation includes a long list of topics - and list can include needs, wants, and dreams. During that meeting, we discuss scope, budget and timeline with the client to better understand their expectations. We find it helpful to spend the most time discussing what doesn't work in their existing living spaces (so we know what to fix!). We take extensive notes, borrow existing plans (if we're lucky) and take as many photographs as possible (there are never enough photos - there is always a point in the project when one of us will say, "I really wish I had a better picture of ___________).

It's like a first date, sort of. Discussing with clients what they love and what they want to improve in their house. 

We enjoy these initial meetings - it allows us to set the tone of what the architect-client relationship will be like. We like to establish open communication, allowing for a real back-and-forth of ideas - so that we form a true partnership. 

Then we return to the office and figure out the scope of work, the complexity of the project, and which drawings we will need to produce for construction. What we are really doing is figuring out how much time we need to get it right - all based on the information gathered during the initial meeting. From there, we calculate the fee for our services and write a proposal to the client. This process we consider to be equal to when other services offer "free estimates" - it's just that our estimates takes a little bit of time, given the complexity of a major construction project.

John and Patri spent some time in York, PA last week. Here is their account of a few of the architectural highlights.

We took to downtown York with the company of our tour guides, Bob (college professor) and Lisa (head of a middle / high school). Luckily for us, both of them have a love for architecture and design - we were more than happy to take in the sights. Interestingly enough, during the Revolutionary War, York, functioned as the nation's capital while Philadelphia was under British occupation.

The first thing that captured our attention was this eleven-story, Renaissance Revival-style hotel built in 1925. Though we did not stay at The Yorktowne Hotel, we stopped by to admire the exterior masonry and historic lobby... Which of course, caused Patri to comment on the seeming lack of detailing in brick facades these days. The hotel is on the Historic Hotels of America list.

Next, we stopped by the York Water Company's neoclassical building on East Market Street, which dates from 1929. The ceiling of the lobby was painted to pay homage to water (seems to make sense). Our tour-guides told us that the ceiling had once been covered up and it wasn't until the most recent renovation of the space, that the original ceilings were found and restored. The York Water Company still uses the building - customers can pay their bill under the vaulted ceiling. 

As hunger set in (and our shorter travel companions grew weary), we set off to find the York Central Market. Built in 1888, the market nearly fills an entire city block. The heavy timbers were originally constructed by shipwrights from Baltimore (located about 45 miles south of York). The market offers a diverse array of local produce, meats, crafts and lunch options. We opted for fried chicken (who can resist?), Malaysian curries and fresh lemonade - the perfect lunch to counteract the extremely hot and humid weather that York had to offer.

To round out our visit, we took a lap around the York Agricultural and Industrial Museum, which was originally a printing factory. Maia (heiress to the AcV2 throne), completed a scavenger hunt, while the rest of us admired the various agricultural and industrial technologies on display - everything from caskets to pianos to automobiles to steel mesh to barbells. The variety of production in York over the years is truly impressive. Kudos to LSC Design for the thoughtful restoration and adaptation of the buildings.

And of course, everyone likes trains, planes and automobiles (or street cars and covered wagons in this case).