Architectural Services: How to Separate the Good from the Bad

When you want to build a new home or renovate your current one, you will need to hire an architect you can trust. You want to be sure the architect is one of the best in the business. So how do you find the best one to suit your needs? As one of the best architectural services in Boston, we have a few suggestions for you.

Word of Mouth

As with any service, one of the best ways to find good architectural services is to ask family, friends, neighbors and colleagues if they have any recommendations for you. You want to be sure to ask about the entire experience and get plenty of details on what it’s like to work with that particular architect. And in this day and age, the Internet is also a great resource. You can go online and read online reviews of architects and their services.

Ask Plenty of Questions

Make sure you ask plenty of questions when you are interviewing architectural services. Don’t be afraid to question anything that does not make sense to you or that you don’t understand. A good architect will be patient with you and will thoroughly explain the design process and what he or she can bring to the table.

Have an Idea of What You Want

Make sure you have an idea of the type of new home or renovations you want. For example, when you choose Boston Architect, we specialize in several different new home styles – from Colonial through Art & Craft Style and everything in between. Our architectural services suit just about every personal style out there.

For more information on our architectural services in Boston, call Boston Architect at 612-323-6081 or get a Free Quote Estimate.

Qualities of Good Architectural Design

When you are thinking about remodeling your current home or building a new one, there are several things you need to consider when choosing your architect. We here at Boston Architect, an architectural design firm serving North Andover, have a few suggestions for you about how to spot a good architect and architectural design when you see them.

Open-minded and Bold

A good architect will be open-minded to your ideas and dreams. He will come up with an architectural design that will mirror your wishes, but he will also be realistic about what can actually be built! The architectural design itself should be bold too, as in, it should wow you and impress you. You should be excited about the design, not feeling iffy or wondering if you will be happy with it in the long run.

Detail-oriented and Creative

A good architect will pay attention to the details of your project and his design. Sure, the big picture is nice to look at, but what about all of the “little” stuff and the fine tuning that goes into the architectural design? And you don’t want the same old hum-drum design either. Your architect should be creative and willing to think outside of the box, like the ones here at Boston Architect. The design should be unique but not too over the top either.

Eco-friendly and Knowledgeable

In this day and age, people are paying attention the environment and Mother Earth now more than ever. So your architectural design should be a reflection of that. Your architect should design a space that is environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Plus, this could save you money on utilities in the long run, so your wallet will thank you too!

For more information on architectural design in North Andover, call Boston Architect at 617-323-6081 or contact us for a Free Quote.

How to Find Inspiration for Architectural Designs

“Architecture is really about well-being. I think that people want to feel good in a space… On one hand it’s about shelter, but it’s also about pleasure.”
—Zaha Hadid

Inspiration for architectural designs in Salem MA is all around you. You can find it indoors and outdoors and in the oddest places.

For example, take a look at today’s fashion. Fashion trends are usually based on the season and the culture it represents. You can look at a current fashion magazine, or you can look at one from a few decades ago. Take note of the colors of the outfits and the contours of the clothing. Some lines fall more naturally, while others take a more unnatural approach. You can also look at the fabric for architectural designs inspiration too (patterns and textures).

Step outside and go for a walk! And we’re not talking about walking around a neighborhood to mimic the homes that are already built. Go to the woods or to a nearby lake or pond. Check out the colors – the sun as it filters through the trees or reflects off of the water. Look at the wildlife and foliage too. Look to the sky too: sunrise and sunset are two great times of day to take note of the colors for architectural designs inspiration.

Head down to your local museum or gallery. These are also excellent places for inspiration for architectural designs. Again, check out the colors and the lines of each piece. Composition and balance are also great things to help inspire you. You could also go online to find photography to help inspire you and your architectural designs.

When you’re ready to start bringing your architectural designs ideas to life, or if you want to renovate your current home, call Boston Architect at 617-323-6081 or get a Free Quote Request.

Stylish Home Architects in Newton MA

You probably think you’re pretty stylish, right? But, you would probably also agree that your style doesn’t match exactly with anyone else’s. That’s what makes it your personal style. When your designing a home remodeling project, or laying out a new home, you’ll want that style to shine through. For residents of Newton MA, home architects need to be stylish and creative, all while drawing on your stylistic input. At Boston Architect, we think we can help blend it all together, and produce a design for your dream home.

Your Stylistic Dreams

When you hire home architects in Newton MA to complete a design for you, you probably have an idea of what you want the completed project to look like. You have your own stylistic tastes and dreams for the plan. Your stylistic preferences are what separate this project from the rest. It’s your home, and your style should project through the design plans.

Our Stylistic Input

We bring many years of experience to the table. We’ve been schooled as home architects, and we’re here to help. We’ll give you our stylistic input, and get you well on your way to the home of your dreams. Our home architects will be able to offer input and advice throughout the process. We’ll help you make sure your home one of the most stylish additions to Newton MA.

Meshing the Styles

Don’t be intimidated by our design experience. We want to blend our style with yours. It’s your project  and it will be a total reflection of you, and your stylistic preferences. We think two heads are better than one. We’ve found that usually when we work collaboratively, things end up better than they started.

Are you in need of home architects in Newton MA? Contact us today by calling 617-323-6081 or Contact us Online.

Boston Residential Architects: How Do You Become an Architect?

Are you thinking about a career change? Or maybe you’re still a student and wondering what you’re going to do to support yourself when you’re older? Architecture is a great profession because you flex both your creative and scientific muscles. Boston Architect has some more information about how people can become Boston residential architects.

The first thing you need to do is understand what the profession is all about. You have to have a good and well-rounded education to become one of the best Boston residential architects. You have to be creative, you have to have a mind for science and math and you have to have excellent communication skills. It takes a special type of person to be good in all three of these areas, but thankfully, practice makes perfect. So even if you don’t have a mind for science, the more you learn, the better you’ll be.

There are several different types of architects too. Obviously, we here at Boston Architects are Boston residential architects, but there are also landscape architects, architects that are only focused on designing buildings and homes, project managers for construction companies and architects that specialize in only one kind of building or structure. Narrowing your focus can help you figure out what path you’d like to choose when you’re getting your architecture education.

You should also take time to talk to Boston residential architects and pick their brains. Ask them questions about the profession: what do they like and dislike about it? What’s the job market like? What kind of education did they receive, and did they need to intern at an architecture firm? See if an area architecture firm will allow you to shadow one of their Boston residential architects for a day or so. That way, you can get firsthand insight into the job and what it entails.

And if you’re looking for some of the best Boston residential architects, call Boston Architect at (617) 323-6081 or contact us online and request a free quote!

2014 Architectural Design Trends

It’s a new year and there are plenty of new 2014 architectural design trends on tap for this year. Boston Architect has some insight to share on these new trends.

Mixing and matching different elements of style is going to be one of the big 2014 architectural design trends. So you can pair up the tried-and-true with something a bit more unique and unusual. Think about mixing some minimalistic looks with looks that are more colorful and eclectic.

Neutral or more understated paint tones are definitely going to be one of the 2014 architectural design trends. Before, people usually wanted brighter and bolder colors, but nowadays trends are definitely shifting to more neutral tones, like ivory and eggshell.

Another one of the big 2014 architectural design trends will be using more natural materials for furniture and flooring. Think bamboo, leather, wood, etc. Furniture will have smoother and more modern-looking lines.

Have you heard of “flex rooms”? This is another one of the 2014 architectural design trends we’ll be seeing. These rooms are mostly used as bedrooms, but they can also be turned into rental units later on down the road.

Finally, yet another one of the big 2014 architectural design trends will be “passive rooms.” These rooms will be built with the environment in mind: they will use less energy, they may use wind power, they will use natural light and heat, and they might have radiant heat. They are quite popular in Europe and now the trend is catching on here in the United States.

When you’re ready to start building the house of your dreams, call Boston Architect at (617) 323-6081 or contact us online. We can start planning your home or we can answer more questions about these new design trends and other design trends.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Though a little early, the team at Boston Architect would like to wish you a Merry Christmas! When we’re not busy being architects, we like to share in the Christmas spirit in Boston. It is a city full of seasonal traditions. But perhaps one of the best-loved Christmas traditions in town are the annual Boston Pops concerts held at Symphony Hall ever year. “America’s Orchestra” is one of the best-known and most-loved orchestras in the country and is world-renowned for their musical ability. Members of our team of architects love to see the Boston Pops perform.

Founded in 1885, the Boston Pops were created about four years after the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the group specializes in popular music and light classical music. They perform a spring season of concerts, plus their annual holiday program every December. This means that Boston has year-round musical entertainment in the form of the Pops or the Symphony Orchestra. Nowadays, the principal conductor is Keith Lockhart and many of today’s most famous pop acts perform with the Pops, like Ben Folds, Elvis Costello, Aimee Mann, Kelly Clarkson and others.

If you’re lucky enough to see the Pops perform live in Boston this holiday season, like some of our architects, you will be treated to holiday classics like their signature song Sleigh Ride, plus other holiday favorites and new arrangements of seasonal classics. Santa will make an appearance and, of course, there will be a sing-a-long at the end of the concert.

We here at Boston Architects just love the city this time of year. You can smell the snow in the air and sense the excitement and anticipation that only the holidays can bring. We hope you spend your holidays with plenty of loved ones, and we hope you get a chance to check out one of Boston’s most beloved holiday traditions too. And who knows? You may see some of our architects out there!

And when you’re ready to design a new home or start a large-scale remodeling project, and you need architects, you can give our team of architects a call at (617) 323-6081 or request a free quote online to get an idea of how much your new home or remodeling project will cost.

Happy Thanksgiving, Bostonians!

Turkey Day will be here before you know it! Just one more week until we all stuff ourselves silly with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and all of the other delicious trimmings. While some of us will settle in the living room to tune into all of the football games, others will want to do something a bit more active. Your favorite Boston architects have a few suggestions for those who’d like to get out and see what the great city of Boston has to offer:

* Zoolights: This family tradition at Stone Zoo opens on Thanksgiving Day. Walk along paths lit with thousands of lights and see a variety of animals that call the zoo home, like bald eagles, lynx and a pair of reindeer. Santa will be in town too, so visit him down at Santa’s Castle while you’re there!

* 20th Annual Methuen Festival of Trees: More than 200 trees are donated by organizations, businesses, schools and individuals from Methuen and other Marrimack Valley communities. Proceeds benefit various funds that preserve our heritage and the unique Methuen monuments.

* 10th Annual Wild Turkey 5-Mile Run: If you’re the fit and active type, sign up for this fun and charitable 5-mile run. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls club and Salem Park & Recreation youth programs.

* 17th Annual Vineyard Artisans Festival: For post-Thanksgiving entertainment and fun, visit the largest holiday art show on the Vineyard featuring more than 85 island artists. Everything from eramic ornaments to clothing and more will be sold, so you can get a headstart on your holiday shopping. The festival is held on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30.

* Parade of the Big Balloons: Even more post-Thanksgiving fun! On Friday, November 29, there will be a parade of these giant helium balloons in Springfield. This is fun for the whole family and even features a visit from Santa!

We here at Boston Architect wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving! No matter where you end up for Turkey Day, we hope you’re surrounded by loved ones and get plenty of turkey.

And if you’re planning on designing a new home or embark on a large remodeling project, take this opportunity to get some opinions. You’ll be with your closest friends and family, so take into consideration what they have to say. When you’re ready, give us a call for all your architectural design plan needs.

Request a free quote online or contact us by phone today at 617-323-6081 for all your renovation and building design plans.

Architectural Design and Working Within a Budget

When you’re thinking about building a new home or renovating your current one, usually one of the biggest concerns about the architectural design is working within a budget. We here at Boston Architect have a few tips for you on how to get the work done without breaking the bank.

First off, get an estimate for your dream project. Granted, this early estimate will be approximate but you will get an idea of how much you will have to spend. You can modify your building or renovation plans accordingly.

If you’re building on an empty lot, keep in mind that the cheapest lot is not necessarily the most affordable. If your builders have to blast through rock or clear away trees, that will drive your costs up. And if you have to install any utilities, that will also end up costing you more in the long run.

When designing the home or renovation of your dreams, try to stick to simple shapes like rectangles or squares. Any shapes with curves or triangles will be more difficult to build and, therefore, more expensive. Cathedral ceilings and intricate roof lines will also be more pricey to build.

Also, set your sights on a smaller home and build up from there. So instead of a sprawling rancher, build a home that is two or three stories tall instead. You will still have the same amount of living space, but the foundation and roof will be smaller. Also, your home’s ventilation and plumbing costs might be cheaper.

Regardless of if you’re remodeling or building a new home, think about the cabinetry that will be in your home. Solid wood is lovely, but there are less expensive ways to make your kitchen and bathrooms look elegant, like open shelving. Also, consider using recycled materials like salvaged cabinets, recycled steel or sawdust and cement composites. But be sure you’re investing your money in quality building materials – don’t skimp on the cost of the actual construction materials that cannot be easily replaced or fixed! Save money on items that can be, like doorknobs or light fixtures. And look for energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. They might be more costly to install, but the money you will save in the long run makes them worth it.

When you’re ready to start planning your new home or remodeling project, give us a call here at Boston Architect at (617) 323-6081 or request a free quote. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you get started!

Remodeling a Grotesque Home

Some homes around Boston are a scary sight. You might not be able to tell from the outside, but inside they have unsightly portions. The only remedy may be a home remodeling project designed by an experienced Boston architect. If you fall into this category, don’t delay in making some swift updates to your residence. Our designs are terribly good, and sure to improve your current home.

Reformatting the Layout

Is your home’s layout a frightful maze of twists and turns? Then you may be in need of an updated floor plan! We can turn your layout nightmare into a dream home remodeling project. Opening up space or repurposing underutilized areas can be the solution to a poorly formatted home. Learn to love your home in a whole new way when you have larger, repurposed rooms.

Home Expansion

If you need your home to be more the size of a haunted mansion, a home expansion may be the perfect solution. Whatever you needs for a larger home, we can help you design the new portion. Adding a second story may do the trick, or a room addition may seem like a welcome treat. Once you have your new home addition, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!

Remodeling an Old Home

Those living in Boston with an older home may feel the need to breathe some new life into it. If it’s getting creepy how familiar you are with things around your house, it’s probably time to liven up the place. With an expertly designed residential renovation plan, you can update your home appropriately. A home renovation could be a shockingly good idea.

Are you in need of a lively architectural designer in Boston? Give us a call today at 617-323-6081 or contact us online.