Things to Look for in a Commercial Architect
When you’re looking for someone to help realize the vision you have for your new commercial construction project, it's important to have a good understanding of what qualities and qualifications this person should possess.
You may have trouble selecting a commercial architect, as most are extremely professional, highly experienced, and bring loads of great ideas to the table.
To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve put together a quick guide on finding the perfect commercial architect to suit your needs.
What Is a Commercial Architect?
Commercial architects specialize in the design of buildings used for commercial, industrial, manufacturing, retail, and institutional purposes. This includes everything from hospitals to office buildings to shopping malls.
Commercial construction projects are often complex and require the guidance, experience, and qualifications of a specialized professional.
What Qualifications Do Commercial Architects Have?
When we say commercial architects are experts, we mean it.
To practice commercial architecture, an individual must do the following:
Obtain a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree
Complete a three-year internship under a licensed architect
Pass the Architect Registration Examination
Register with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Then, they are able to work independently and stamp design plans to submit for approval.
It should be noted that commercial architects don’t just deal with blueprints and building concepts — they must also know about safety and law.
The buildings they design are often for public use, which means they need to meet strict building codes and local safety requirements (on top of satisfying their clients’ design program).
FAQ: Do Commercial Architects Need a Master’s Degree?
No, architects do not need a master's degree to practice. As long as they’ve completed a five-year bachelor’s degree program in architecture and an internship, they’re eligible to take the ARE test and practice on their own.
However, students who’ve completed a bachelor’s degree in another field can bypass the five-year B. Arch requirement by obtaining a Master of Architecture degree, which usually takes three to three and a half years.
Commercial Architects Don’t Always Work Alone
Commercial architects often can’t do everything on their own (who could?), so they often employ the help of subcontractors or full-time specialists:
Here are some of the roles you’ll find working in or with commercial architecture firms:
Mechanical engineers to design HVAC, plumbing, and other aspects of the project
Electrical engineers to design the building’s electrical systems
Structural engineers for any new building or remodel with structural modifications)
Civil engineers for projects that require site design/site utilities/grading design
Commercial buildings are publicly used, so they need to fit seamlessly into the area, minimizing disturbance during the construction process. This is why the design team also often includes structural and civil engineers who help with designing the site itself.
The Role of a Commercial Architect In a Project
Despite the extra hands involved, the commercial architect is always in direct contact with the client. They manage all aspects of the design process, so they need to be highly communicative and organized.
Ultimately, they are the ones who design the architectural aspects of the project and draft the architectural aspects of the construction documents.
These construction documents are essential for any commercial architecture project, as the contractor uses them to estimate costs, bid, and build the actual structure.
They are also used to obtain building permits from the jurisdiction. Without the stamp of a licensed architect (and any other consultants working on the project), you won’t be able to acquire a building permit for your commercial construction project.
Note: If you’re looking for a commercial architect in the Denver area, we may be able to help. Let’s schedule a call and see what we can do for you!
When Do You Need a Commercial Architect?
Every construction project comes with plenty of obstacles and roadblocks, but an architect isn’t always required for a project to move forward.
For example, you can build a house without the involvement of a specialized residential architect. As long as your plans have a licensed structural engineer’s stamp, you have a good chance of getting approval from the jurisdiction.
This doesn’t apply to commercial projects. Typically, jurisdictions require a commercial architect’s stamp on building construction documents before issuing a building permit.
If a project involves adding onto or making significant modifications to an existing structure, it must comply with building codes, life safety codes, and ADA guidelines. This usually means that you’ll need an architect’s stamp before getting approved for a building permit.
If you’re unsure about whether you’ll need an architect for your construction project or not, you should consult a professional to discuss the details of your project before moving forward.
Side Note: What Is an Architect’s Stamp?
As you know, an architect must be licensed in order to work independently, and to do so, they must pass their certification exams and register with the NCARB.
Once they’ve been licensed and registered, they have the ability to approve commercial construction documents with a stamp of approval. This stamp guarantees to the jurisdiction that the plans were put together with care, professionalism and that they comply with building codes, life safety codes, and ADA requirements.
How to Find a Commercial Architect
The world is a big place, and there are tons of great architects out there, so finding the best one for your project can be a challenging process.
Here are some tips to help you through the search process:
Use Search Engines or Professional Directories
As it is with most things these days, a good place to start is a simple online search. Keep in mind that search engine results don’t always give you the whole picture, so you may need to cross-check with other databases.
You can check for architects in your specific area on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) website.
Ask People You Know (Word of Mouth)
Oftentimes, the best promotion is word-of-mouth, so if you have colleagues who have completed similar projects, make sure to ask them for a recommendation. This is a quick and easy way to reduce the number of calls you need to make.
When searching for a commercial architect, it might be tempting to choose the first one you find, as most are worthy options, but you should hold off until you have several candidates lined up.
Interview Potential Candidates
You should interview each candidate and discuss your project goals. Ask for examples of similar projects they’ve completed, factors that might influence your specific project, and any initial design ideas they may have.
Make sure you ask for a fee proposal, as well. This way, you’ll know if they fit within your budget goals.
What To Look For in a Commercial Architect
Have a list of design firms lined up but don’t know how to assess them?
Consider these factors:
References
The best way to judge the quality of an architect is by calling their references. Even if you feel confident in a particular candidate, you shouldn’t skip this step.
Every legitimate and reliable architect will have a list of colleagues and past clients who can speak to the quality of their work.
It’s a cautionary sign if they can’t provide any.
When contacting their references, make sure to ask as many questions as you can. Inquire about everything from their communication habits to their ability to meet deadlines.
Do they have a track record of completing jobs on time? If they fall behind or encounter problems, do they notify their client?
This is your chance to hear a first-hand account from someone who worked with this architect, so take advantage of it, and take notes so you can compare with the references of other candidates.
Portfolio
The portfolio will give you a good idea of the architect’s style, imagination, and past successes. In many ways, this will help you determine whether the candidate has the potential to realize the vision of your specific project.
For instance, if you’re building a mixed-use real estate project, you want someone who’s done similar work in the past. If sustainability is important to your business, look for firms specializing in eco-friendly building designs.
If at all possible, make sure to visit your candidates’ completed projects in person, as architectural design is best appreciated in real life.
Budgeting Abilities
Commercial construction projects are already a big investment, so the last thing you want is to go over budget. The ability to work within a budget is extremely important, as it could mean the difference between moving forward and stalling.
Most architects are very mindful of clients’ budget goals, so make sure you’re clear about your budget upfront. Ask about this during your reference calls, too, and you shouldn’t have any issues.
Good Communication Skills
Since commercial architects oversee so many moving parts and serve as the point of contact with the client, it’s essential that they have good communication skills.
They need to coordinate with their design team and keep you in the loop throughout the project’s duration. During your interview with the architect, make it clear that communication is very important to you, and ask their references about this to help you assess your candidates.
Attention to Detail
It’s difficult to become a successful architect without being highly attentive, but this is still a quality you’re going to want to look for in your search for the perfect match.
During the interview process, pay close attention to how well each candidate listens to what you have to say about your goals and project needs. In the worst-case scenario, an ego-driven architect might value their own ideas above others, but don’t let that influence your perception of all your candidates.
A good architect will be there to translate your project goals into a built form that conveys the identity of your business. Good architects are team players who listen and strive to satisfy their clients’ needs.
Independence
The ability to work independently is not only a necessary factor, it’s essential for your project overall. There are plenty of good architectural designers working under a licensed architect, but you need the latter to get a building permit.
Questions to Ask During Screening
There are so many good architects out there that your biggest problem will be narrowing down your selection.
Asking these questions will help you find the best one for your project:
How Much Do You Charge for Your Architectural Services?
Make sure that they know your budget early on. This allows you to establish clear expectations and will help you avoid potential project delays down the road.
Ask about any unexpected fees or costs that might pop up throughout the project. This may help to distinguish experienced architects from less-experienced ones.
Always avoid candidates who provide vague answers, especially if your budget goals are clear.
Do You Have Insurance?
All architects need insurance to protect them against claims of negligence and things of a similar nature. This is referred to as "professional liability Insurance" or "errors and omissions insurance.”
You want to make sure that your commercial architect is covered.
Conduct due diligence and find out if they’ve had any legal claims against them from previous clients and why. This is something you can do when you’re conducting research on candidates’ references.
How Long Will the Design and Construction Process Take?
Prior to interviewing, make sure you have an idea of your timeline goals based on the scale of the project.
It’s not always easy to lay these goals out clearly, but a good commercial architect will be able to give you advice on how to improve and even reduce your timeline.
Do You Have Connections to Other Firms or Contractors?
It can save you a lot of time to hire a firm that has partnerships with other designers and contractors. If they can connect you with an interior designer or landscape architecture firm, for instance, you can save a lot of time on interviews.
Otherwise, you’ll have to go through this whole process again to fill those roles.
The same goes with general contractors. If your architect can put you in touch with a contractor they trust and have worked with in the past, you won’t have to track down one yourself.
Do You Have References?
We’ve touched on this already, but it’s essential to understand the candidate’s capabilities and work ethic before you hire them.
Ask as many questions as you can when following up with the references they provide.
How Much Experience Do You Have Working in This Area?
Every jurisdiction has its own set of rules and regulations for different types of construction projects including factory planning, so you need to make sure this candidate has experience following guidelines in your area.
Conclusion
Finding the right architect for your commercial construction project certainly takes work, but it’s also very exciting. If you follow this guide, you’ll be on your way to getting approved for a building permit in no time!
Also, if you’re looking for a commercial engineer in the Colorado area, make sure to call us. ZP Architects is a full-service architecture firm with over 50 years of experience in the business, and we’d love to chat about your project.
