A beautifully designed home and a satisfied homeowner are the most gratifying goals at the heart of an architect’s work. A good architect has the talent and ability to see the big picture, to glean the most potential out of a property, and to thoughtfully interpret a client’s aspirations. Architects are trained problem-solvers, and the value of an architect lies in her ability to find the delicate balance between program, construction and cost, in essence to find just the right harmony between pragmatism and aesthetic beauty.
When homeowners and their architect can communicate well, when the architect knows how to listen and interpret their dreams and how to thoughtfully educate and guide the homeowner through the process, the value of the architect’s services is immediately understood. The architect is at the helm, working towards giving clients choices and options, helping them to prioritize their wish list, and giving an experienced opinion as to where to compromise in order to maximize the financial investment.
The challenges of a residential building are as profound as those of a large commercial project, but in a very different way. A site can be complicated in terms of zoning or terrain and a program should be distinctive and authentic to a family’s lifestyle. An architect can be experimental and the house can be a testing ground for ideas yet the project should always be guided by the needs and expectations of the client. When designing a custom residence there are and always should be, challenges to the architect’s creativity. The house must have a sense of being well thought out, with a sense of scale and purpose. The house is at the heart of a family’s emotional life and its memories; it’s a nurturing place and a place of refuge. A beautifully scaled and proportioned house can be a source of great joy to its users.
Read more about Diane Waingrow AIA Pacific Palisades Architect
