R+D Architecture
About
We are known for a totally customer-centric design, and we love working with people to create great homes. This begins with a thorough interview process that includes a questionaire to help our clients formalize their wants and needs.
We design to the site and locale. Our homes are known for how well they fit into their environs. We visit the site prior to design, and at many times during the design process, to ensure that a true integration between the home and the land on which it sits.
We recently won "Best of Houzz - Service" recognizing our avid love for working with our clients.
We love that all of our clients are unique, and so are the homes or facilities we design for them. Because our clients want something special, that drives us to innovate, create, and problem-solve - all things we love to do.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We normally suggest an initial meeting to go over "where you are at" with respect to the type of home you are looking for and the particular place where you are going to build. We have a "Home Design Questionnaire" which assists in cataloging the types of activities, spaces and qualities you are looking for; it also includes a number of technical questions which come into play later, but are handy to think about even before design is commenced. Once we have a solid idea of the scope of the project, we develop a proposal for your consideration.
Key questions (which we can discuss in our initial meeting) are:
Do you plan to hire a contractor?
If so, do you wish to bid the project, or do you already have someone you will work with? Will you want our representation during construction? (sometimes the bank requires it, sometimes not).
What is your budget?
Do you have any special program consulting needs - such as EnergyStar, Passivhaus, NAHB Green Home, or other?
We will then develop alternative schemes to address your "program" (needs/wants), and the site conditions. Are there particular views we want to capture/block? In what rooms shoudl the sun rise/set? Waht are the slopes and how does affect how the house will interface with the land? And so forth.
Once we have settled on a final scheme, we then develop it into a full set of constrcution documents, which coordiante the structural, mechanical, electrical, lighting, and plumbing needs with the architectural motif.
Lastly, we can assist in procuring bids/proposals, and adminsitering the contract for construction - to ensure the project designed is the project delivered.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
We are all architects - so we have professional degrees and many years training and are registered in the states we do work - PA, NJ, NY, CO.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
We work several ways, depending on size and complexity of the project, as well as scope of services. There is no one size fits all. We can work under a lump sum, percentage of construction cost, or hourly basis.
How did you get started in this business?
I started, after graduation, working for a large Japanese architecture firm in Tokyo, doing interanational projects in several countries. I then worked in high-end residential in Jackson Hole, WY, until moving to PA.
What types of customers have you worked with?
Our customers are primarily small business owners, not-for-profit organizations, and families. So we've done professional offices, factories, single family homes, restaurants, to name a few. Our perfect client is someone who is invested in their business (or family) and the building (or home) it will house. So, vision-focused businesses and families.
Describe a recent project you are fond of.
We are very fond of our Trifecta Technologies project, which won both state and local awards for Architectural Excellence from the AIA.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
Interview more than one. Review projects. Maybe even do a tour of one or two. Speak with former clients
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
The questions in our Home Design Questionnaire, of course!