HOW WE WORK

Most projects begin with a client, a set of ideas, a site, and a designer. The ideas may be vague or fully-developed, the site is occasionally as yet undetermined, and the designer may be a design team, depending on the scope of the project.

Working together, we develop a program to clarify and refine the project goals and objectives, both general and specific. We like to get as much information from the client as possible, including visual references from photos, books, magazines, etc.

We believe that the best results come from a collaborative process. As a schematic design is developed, we will most often involve other building professionals such as a structural engineer, HVAC consultant, or general contractor.

Most of our clients are surprised that our design process can be both enlightening and enjoyable, but we work hard to make it so. And unlike some larger firms that may shift a project to a less-experienced professional, you will always be working directly with Chuck Silver.

Chuck came to design through his experience in building and energy, and is not a licensed architect. Most of our projects require professionally stamped plans so we most often collaborate with a professional engineer to provide oversight, code review, structural review, etc. This in no way impacts your costs.

Due to our background in construction, we know building and have a healthy appreciation for the contractors we work with. Unlike the adversarial relationship that so often characterizes the architect-builder relationship, we work from a position of mutual respect.