Everyone is excited about their new corporate home! Test fits have been created, and negotiations are nearly complete—so, what comes next?
Most businesses considering an office move may already know that they will require the services of an Architect. Even the most straightforward interior space will require some interior modifications and construction, which means obtaining Drawings, Building Permits, and oversight during construction.
Brokers and landlords often have relationships with Architects who offer Test Fits to potential new tenants. If this initial interaction is positive and establishes a good working relationship, the same Architect may continue refining the design concepts and oversee the project through to completion.
However, not every tenant has significant interaction with the landlord’s Architect, or perhaps the chemistry just wasn’t right. In such cases, businesses preparing to move may find themselves in need of hiring their own Architect, prompting essential questions like:
How should we determine the best Architect to work with on this project?
How should we evaluate the strengths of an Architecture firm?
How do you distinguish between Architecture firms in a crowded marketplace?
The pressure to make a quick decision can feel overwhelming, so let’s explore some key factors we at Interplan believe are most important when choosing an Architect.
Start with the Basics: Personal Recommendations
Do you know anyone who has worked with an Architectural firm they’d recommend?
Nothing beats a personal referral. Even if you find a firm entirely unknown to you, it will help to talk with someone who has previously worked with them. Ask questions such as:
Did they feel heard during the process?
Was the final design a reflection of their input?
How well did the design meet their needs?
Was the project delivered on time and within budget?
What would they do differently if they could?
At Interplan, we’re proud to say that nearly all our work comes through personal referrals and repeat clients. We encourage anyone considering us to contact our clients for firsthand accounts of their experience working with Interplan.
Size and Scope: Can the Firm Meet Your Needs?
Is the Architectural firm large enough to handle your project but small enough to provide personalized attention, staff continuity, and creative solutions tailored to your business?
Interplan is strategically sized to offer the best of both worlds. We’re competitive and comprehensive enough to handle large-scale projects yet agile and efficient enough to deliver personal attention. Unlike many firms, where senior staff members handle early stages such as initial programming and concept work and delegate the rest, our senior management team remains involved from start to finish. This ensures consistency, accountability, and respect for our relationships with every client.
Experience: Do They Understand Your Industry?
Does the Architectural firm have experience in your market sector? Have they worked with businesses like yours? Do their designs demonstrate an understanding of your unique needs and highlight your personality as a client?
Many of our clients come to us through referrals within similar industries, which has helped us develop a deep understanding of what these businesses typically require. We take the time to listen to every client and create unique solutions tailored to their needs. Our expertise in specialized building systems ensures that our designs are not only functional but also support our clients’ specific operational requirements.
Your First Impression Matters
When you first connect with a firm, pay attention to your experience. You should feel valued, heard, and respected like any other working relationship.
Were they professional and timely in their correspondence with you?
Did you get the feeling that they were organized and competent?
Did they seem genuinely interested in your project?
These may seem like small details, but they often indicate the working relationship ahead. At Interplan, we’re frequently praised for our responsiveness, clear communication, and quick resolution of inquiries. We believe these qualities set us apart from many other firms.
Track Record: Are They Reliable?
Ask about their history of delivering projects on time and within budget. How do they handle challenges that arise during a project?
At Interplan, we’ve been in business long enough to know that unexpected issues will occur. However, our commitment to excellence never wavers. We design spaces that are not only beautiful on paper but can be built efficiently, on schedule, and within budget constraints. We create drawings and documentation for each project that will be effective tools used to implement our designs. Additionally, we endeavor to constantly improve our knowledge of construction to be the best advocates for our clients when working with Contractors. This reputation has been earned over 40 years of consistently delivering for our clients.
What Makes Interplan Unique?
Finally, let us tell you a few other things that make Interplan a unique firm that you should consider for future architectural and design needs!
We value design, not value engineering. Our designs take our clients’ budgets and other requirements into account from the very beginning of our design process.
We value creativity. Our designs reflect our commitment to solving our clients’ “problems” with creative solutions.
We value our design team. We are proud of how long some of our team members have been with us and even more excited when they return! We commit time and resources to supporting their professional development and personal goals.
We value our planet and its resources. All of us at Interplan agree that our industry must be more responsible and sustainable than our predecessors.
We are passionate. We look for projects and clients to share our enthusiasm for creating environments where people can be productive, thrive, and flourish.
We hope this post has offered valuable guidance as you navigate selecting an Architect. At Interplan, we’re passionate about turning visions into reality and creating spaces where people can thrive. If you’re ready to take the next step, we’d be delighted to discuss how we can bring your project to life. Let’s build something extraordinary together!
