You are planning your next office building, and this is a huge project with a massive budget. Your choice of commercial architect can make or break your project, quite literally. In this post, we are sharing 4 questions that are worth asking when you hire an architect.
- What type of projects have you done so far?
The scope of commercial & industrial architecture is huge. The work involved in designing an official building is very different from that of a data center. Work with known names, such as architecte Stendel Reich in Montreal. Reputed industrial architectural practices have teams with collaborative experience, and they can bring solutions to address specific concerns.
- Can you share a few references and show your work profile?
If a commercial architectural practice claims to be the best in business, they must have enough projects under their belt. As a prospective client, you can ask for references and check their work profile in depth. This is the best possible way of ensuring that company’s expertise aligns with the needs of your project. Also, do check if the industrial architectural practice has good reviews. Online reviews are usually posted independently and are worth relying. You can also ask within your industry to know about their expertise.
- Will you extend your support beyond basic design & planning?
The role of industrial architects is not limited to just designing and planning an office building. They are equally involved in other aspects of the project and often work extensively with contractors, to maintain quality standards and adhere to timelines. Their teams often do multiple site visits, handle regular planning-related concerns, and report to clients, as required, to maintain necessary work flow. However, this depends on the kind of arrangement you have with an industrial architect. Most firms are usually flexible on these grounds.
- What do you think are the core challenges of this project?
Allow the team of industrial architects to explain challenges of the project. They should be able to work within a timeline and budget, while addressing client goals and expectations at the same time. For office buildings, adopting new trend and evolving technologies is key to operational efficiency in the long run.
Finally, do discuss the cost of hiring a commercial architectural practice. Many firms prefer to get paid in slabs, based on the work involved. Nevertheless, do not ignore a company for the price, but choose to pay for their experience.
