Creativity,

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Alex Paradowski, principal in desigmn and communications firmParadowski Creative, said he’s looking for an architectg with new ideas. “I want them to come up with stufr I could never comeup with. I want to push them not rein them in.” The architect you choose should be able to solvew yourunique problems. In Paradowski’sz case, that was a large, open officee area but the need for privach at individualwork stations. Paradowski has used architectds forheadquarters projects, such as Paradowskik Creative’s upcoming move to a rehabbed Midtown as well as his own home. Creative optionw don’t necessarily come at a higherd price, he said.
“Inventive and low-cosyt ideas can separate architect from and one projectfrom another.” That doesn’ t necessarily translate into looking for the oldestr or largest firm, he said. “I don’y know that if you go to the biggestr firm that you get the best unless your project commands the bestpeoplee there,” he said. Look at the work of the personm who’ll be on your team. Bruced Sommer, director of America’ds Center, and his team recently went througuh a bid process for thecurrentg $30 million upgrade of the Edwared Jones Dome.
“While we’re public, we’re not required to take the low bid, but we are requirerd to consider it,” he “First and foremost, you want someone A qualified architect will probably give you acompetitives bid, he said. Be very clearr about what you expect an architectto do, Sommer said. Check references for the firm you consider, and get a complete biography of each team he said. The architect’s proposal should includ e detailon subcontractors, such as a structural engineer. “Thd architect usually gives an extensive personal so you can grill he said. Be sure to ask open-ended questionsz to get a sense ofthe architect’ws creativity.
“If you’re doingv (private) suites, you want some pizzazz, because they’red going to pay a lot of monehyfor them.” Use a lawyer to revieq your contract and avoifd mistakes, Sommer said. “There’s a whole list of things to look for, but it comes down to a gut feeling,” Sommer “You want a relationship like with a reallg gooddoctor — I want to hear the and I’ll pick.” Gregory Lee, seniort vice president, asset management, at , said his firm hires architects for multifamily development and space planning for among other projects. Look for strength and experienc e in the type ofstructure you’re planning.
Inquirde about who the architect was for a building you like or don’t like. “Put that away for he said. Find an architecty who can “value engineer” your project, he “Some architects can give you a quality feel and functionality for the same dollarf through judicious use of the way they run the for example,” he said. Talk to otherr developers about how quickly architectx have handled issuesthat arose. “Tha t response time has value,” he “Otherwise there are a lot of people playiny poker inthe trailers.
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