How has the current economic slump in real estate changed
your approach to client interaction, or has it?
There is not as much
interest in building homes as 3 years ago, although there are still a number of
clients that still want to build with quality design. Our approach has not really changed in that
we have to take each client and individually solve their problems, meet their
needs and wishes. There is no stock
plan. Everyone deserves to have what
they want. What has changed in real
estate is that most people are looking for deals, and this is true as well for
architects. We have to work as we always
have - very conscientiously – with a truthful, honest, open approach. This has not changed. There just are not as many clients in today’s
market.
Has the real estate market downturn impacted your design
approach? I assume design in architecture
changes with economic change. Is that
correct and, if so, how – on a personal level?
No, our design
approach has not changed. The approach
in design is to evaluate the needs and wishes of the client and its relationship
to the property. One aspect of change is
that some clients are paying cash as it is difficult for people to get
loans. However, our design approach
remains constant - to listen to the client - what they are saying, what they
are not saying - and design accordingly.
What are you hearing from a client that is different from
say 3 years ago? Are smaller homes more
the trend? What square footage is being
requested? Other?
Smaller homes are
more the trend but with high quality in design and specifications. But I do have one client that still wants a
7,000 sq. ft. home. I have tried to
encourage smaller, but this is a dream of theirs. We are also seeing much more remodeling than
new starts.
What changes in amenities or trends are clients now
requesting?
People still want good
quality. Plans are still open, casual -
no formal dining. They still want
theaters – want to entertain in their home with themselves, family, and large
and small groups of friends. They still
want good quality in cabinets, windows, as well as a good use of the lot. Here
in the mountains that, of course, translates to windows with views.
Your portfolio includes private, corporate, religious
designs – from high-end to moderate.
Where does design for The Cove at Celo Mountain fit into your spectrum?
Our vision of Celo
fits right in with our portfolio – large or small homes that fit into the
natural mountain setting. The design has
to be well thought out, good use of lot, giving owners what they want.
Of the design styles preferred within The Cove at Celo
Mountain covenants (American Lodge, American Craftsman, and Adirondack), could
you show us works from your portfolio that reflect these genres? Do you have a spin-off of these that is more
characteristic of what you envision for The Cove at Celo Mountain?
We have included
three homes that exhibit quality design in layout, taking advantage of the
natural mountain setting and views as well as the use of natural materials - i.e., timbers, logs, stone and other natural
materials such as bark siding. The color
pallet also has to be considered when building in the mountains.
Walk through the typical first on-site meeting to the final
stages of your work with a client.
Our mission is not
just to design a home for someone but a satisfying lifestyle as well. We first meet with the client - usually in our
office - to get to know each other and the client’s wishes, needs, and
fantasies. Then we go out and analyze the
site with the client, visualizing the design – picture yourself out 50 feet – up
in the tree canopy – what would the view be from there? Imagine the sunset or the full moon or
entertaining outdoors with a fire in the fireplace - get them excited about the
possibilities. We take the approach that
we are very serious with their investment; we have to earn their trust in
us. We then will do preliminary floor
plans and their site plan. After they have
had time to study the design, we will make any desired changes or additions. Then the 3rd dimension of the
design development begins on the computer.
We develop elevations and cross sections to help the client visualize the
entire design. From there we go to the construction
documents – engineering, foundation, electrical, schedules, specifications,
etc. We like to negotiate a contract
price from a list of qualified builders.
The team approach in my experience puts everyone on the same page with
the same goals. From start to completion
should be about 8-16 months depending on size, weather, steepness of lot,
etc. Almost exclusively, my clients are
much more satisfied with the final outcome than they even dreamed or
expected. With us the whole design process
is easy, comfortable, enjoyable and fulfilling.
We know that you and the Petersons have finalized design
plans for their Cove at Celo Mountain home.
Could you share those with us?
What I would really
like to do with the Peterson home, is to have your viewers follow along as we
begin the on-site work, and then update them with progress through to
completion, so they can experience with these owners how enjoyable, easy and
exciting this can be. We are almost
finished with the Peterson’s final version of the plans. It
will be about 2700 square feet on 1 and ½ levels. We will start next week with photos of their
estate lot and the plans in a part of your blog allocated to this building
process.
Any additional comments that you think it would be
beneficial for prospective clients to know?
Working with an architect
is the only way to design a home. You
get exactly what you want that you wouldn’t by using a stock plan. Using an architect is a rewarding
experience. You get a custom-designed
home that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Architect’s fees are a small investment to ensure that the value of your
home now and in the future is secure. Your home is a major investment. Protect it. Use a qualified architect. We are easy to work with and give our decades
of experience and talents to our clients for their living enjoyment and
financial benefit. We have worked with
over 2500 clients with completed homes in the last 30 years. Some of our clients have built multiple homes
with us because they were able to realize such a significant increase in the
value of their home at time of sale. (Our
corporate, religious, school, and other design work is in addition to this
number.) Our portfolio of private homes
ranges from 1500 – 10,000 sq. ft. Size
of the home is not what determines use of an architect’s expertise. You use an architect for quality design and
living experience. We create a lifestyle as much as a home.
Website, Portfolio, Testimonials for Armin L. Wessel Architect, Inc.
2 1/2-minute video of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN
Guest Author Blog Post by Allen and Bevo Peterson, Estate Owners and Clients of Armin Wessel Architect, Inc
