Why Hire a Designer Early? Local Architects Weigh In

Jim Westover of WDA and Ari Gessler share their insights on the benefits of assembling your construction team early. 

THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING A TEAM EARLY    As a high-end residential interior designer, we find that many of our clients are unsure about which stage of the architectural process to engage a design firm. We thought it was the perfect opportunity to open up a dialogue with two local San Francisco architects who we're currently collaborating with.  We spoke with Jim Westover, Partner and Principal of WDA | William Duff Architects, and Ari Gessler of Ariel Gessler Architects to get their insights into the benefits of assembling your team early and the pitfalls of waiting too long to engage an interior designer. BUTTERFLY HOUSE BY WILLIAM DUFF ARCHITECTS | PHOTO BY MATTHEW MILLMAN JIM WESTOVER, AIA, LEED AP WDA | William Duff Architects specializes in thoughtful, innovative architecture across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. WDA is known for its award-winning and diverse portfolio of residential, workplace, hospitality and retail environments. With a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley, Jim Westover is a California state licensed architect, a LEED accredited professional, and has over 30 years of experience in architecture and interiors. Jim provides direct oversight on all of WDA's residential projects, preparing a strategy to achieve each of their client's unique goals, and personally manages select high-end residential projects. NI: Does having a complete team (Architect, General Contractor, Interior Designer, and Landscape Architect) assembled during the early stages of a project prevent mistakes and missteps down the line? JW: Definitely.  Since the architecture, interior design and the landscape design all need to work in concert, it only makes sense that we work somewhat in parallel.  We don't want to be wandering off in different directions, so we like to establish the overall design first and then involve the other consultants shortly thereafter. Waiting too long to get valuable input from the Interior Designer, Landscape Designer and others (AV, MEP, etc ) can result in costly design changes and delays. NI: Can you think of an example of an issue that arose on a project where a designer didn't join until later in the project? JW: The classic headaches are floor outlets that are not located in ideal locations, downlight locations that don't work with the furniture layout or art locations, blocking not being provided for heavy artwork or decorative light fixture support.  In a broader sense, you may end up with separate design visions that do not relate to one another. ARI GESSLER, LEED AP Ari Gessler is founding principal of Ariel Gessler Architects: a full-service architectural firm specializing in custom homes and residential estates. His substantial and varied body of work embodies his beliefs that architecture must respect its context.   As a LEED Accredited Professional, Ari designs buildings that are beautiful and built responsibly.  He and his team are very skilled at navigating the approvals process and they have a reputation for design excellence and successful management of highly complex projects.  SAN FRANCISCO HOME BY ARIEL GESSLER ARCHITECTS NI: When do you think is an ideal time to involve an interior designer on a ground up project? Why? AG: At AGA, we like to engage Interior Designers at the very beginning during Schematic Design. This is the time when we define the significant aspects of the project, and we look to understand the relationships that individual spaces have to each other and to the site.  Ideally, we want all of the initial input from the primary design decision-makers on the project during this phase.  Since all of our work is custom tailored toward our clients, a good Interior Designer helps clarify their overall design direction, which we integrate as the process unfolds. NI: What advice would you give to a client who is just starting to plan their ground up project or major remodel? AG: In my 20+ years of practice, what I have found useful, is to promote the understanding that there are three critical elements that every project must face: speed, cost, and quality.  Of course, we strive to provide the best of all three, but these three inherently conflict with each other. Rank them in order the importance to you, and communicate this clearly to your design and construction team early on.  A good team will respect and respond to the owner's project goals, and focus their efforts collectively to meet and exceed these prioritized expectations. Our local chapter of American Society of Interior Designers, interviewed Jennifer about all things sustainable in their Winter issue of SF Design! Click here to read the article and learn some of our insider tips on designing homes with healthy indoor air quality. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE UPDATES AND INSPIRATION!   Forward to a friend who would love our newsletter! Copyright © 2019 Niche Interiors, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website. Our mailing address is: Niche Interiors 555 De Haro St. Suite #320 San Francisco, CA 94107 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? 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