Why Hire an Architect?

If you’re like most, employing an architect is not an everyday event. It may even seem like a needless luxury or perhaps more horsepower than you need.

Relax.

Retaining an architect can save you time, money and significantly enhance the success of your project, regardless of its complexity or budget.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you go through your selection process.

  • Architects are trained to create possibilities. We think in three dimensions and are able to see the relationship of spaces and traffic flow within a building.
  • Architects are mindful of the context of a building, it’s purpose, location on the property and its relationship to the surrounding buildings.
  • Architects look at the big picture as well as hundreds of little details you’ve never considered.
  • Architects keep abreast of building and zoning regulations that affect the design and utility of internal and exterior environments.
  • An intensive education, followed by the rigorous testing required for licensure, assure that you’ll be working with a talented and highly-skilled professional.
  • An architect will help you get the most for your construction dollar.

Whether you are remodeling, adding on, or building from scratch, your architect can guide the way. Working with contractors and other construction professionals, architects can create a well-designed project that meets your needs and works within your budget and time frame.

Why Hire Easthope Design?

Every architect has his or her own strategies and methods. My approach is a mixture of three key components:

  1. Experience – With decades of my own hands-on construction experience, I’m able to look ahead and anticipate potential issues before they arise. I’ll be your eyes and ears, avoiding delays and needless mistakes.
  2. Realistic – I take a pragmatic approach on every project. I look for ways to save money without cutting corners; simplify without compromising design or utility. I keep an eye on the big picture, maximizing available resources while preserving creativity and vision.
  3. Chemistry – I may be serious about function and aesthetics, but I bring a sense of humor and easy going style to every project. This reduces stress, stimulates the imagination and makes the process not just pleasant, but fun!

Three Ways to Use Easthope Design

We tailor our approach based on the scope of your project and your unique circumstances. Whether it’s an ADU design, kitchen remodel or major home renovation, we can help:

  1. Partnership – The design process is a partnership and a journey. I listen, guide, evoke ideas and translate your dreams into reality. The greater the understanding of your desires, passions and aesthetics, the better the design concepts will be. The goal is to manifest your ideas into a finished project that you’ll love.
  2. Service – You’re the boss. I combine your vision with my experience and innovative design abilities to produce a set of drawings that can be built. I won’t challenge your personal design aesthetic, but I will caution you when something is potentially incongruous. My job is to serve your hopes and dreams.
  3. Advocate – There are two areas my clients appreciate and receive value. The first is representing homeowners in front of planning and building departments. The other is helping select a contractor and monitoring the construction to ensure the design integrity is followed and your vision manifests as intended.

It was so easy to work with you remotely! Maybe even easier than locally because you were exceptionally responsive online to all of my questions and design changes. You got back to me immediately and responded fully to things that were unfamiliar to me which moved the design process right along.

Additionally, you communicated with my contractor as well as the City Planning Department to keep us all on the same page.

 It would be my pleasure to recommend you no matter where in the world you live!

M.H.

Richard is creative and sensible. I love it when he comes up with solutions that work and don’t cost a fortune. 

Coming up with a design that wasn’t a complete gut and remodel was a challenge, but in the end, we got a design which we absolutely love. Richard hung in there with us until we got it just right.

Talent and experience combined with a sense of humor. A stressful process? Not at allhe makes the job fun.

M. H-B.

The Easthope Advantage

Building regulations are constantly changing. In some jurisdictions they can be quite onerous. If ignored, the approval process can add preventable delays and friction.

Because of my years of public service as a Planning Commissioner for a Marin County municipality, I bring an insider’s understanding of zoning regulations, variances and other nuances that can save you time and money.  With years of construction under my belt, I know what can and cannot be built.

Let’s work together and turn your vision into reality.

Arrange a no-obligation consultation and explore what’s possible!