Creativity,

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Alex Paradowski, principal in designb and communications firmParadowski Creative, said he’s looking for an architecgt with new ideas. “I want them to come up with stuf f I could never come up I want to pushthem back, not rein them The architect you choose should be able to solve your uniqude problems. In Paradowski’s case, that was a open office area but the need for privacy at individuaowork stations. Paradowski has used architects for headquarters such asParadowski Creative’s upcoming move to a rehabbe Midtown building, as well as his own Creative options don’t necessarilyu come at a higher price, he said.
“Inventive and low-cost ideas can separate architectfrom architect, and one projecty from another.” That doesn’t necessarily translate into looking for the oldest or largest he said. “I don’t know that if you go to the biggesrt firm that you get the best unless your project commands the best people he said. Look at the work of the persoh who’ll be on your Bruce Sommer, director of America’s Center, and his team recentlh went through a bid process for thecurrengt $30 million upgrade of the Edward Jones “While we’re public, we’re not required to take the low bid, but we are requirexd to consider it,” he said.
“First and foremost, you want someonre well-qualified.” A qualified architect will probably give you acompetitivwe bid, he said. Be very clear abouty what you expect an architecfto do, Sommer said. Checo references for the firmsyou consider, and get a complete biography of each team member, he said. The architect’zs proposal should include detailon subcontractors, such as a structura engineer. “The architect usually gives an extensivepersonalk presentation, so you can grill he said. Be sure to ask open-ended questionse to get a sense ofthe architect’s creativity.
“Ifg you’re doing (private) suites, you want some pizzazz, becaus they’re going to pay a lot of money for Use a lawyer to reviewe your contract and avoid Sommer said. “There’s a whole list of thing s to look for, but it comes down to a gut Sommer said. “You want a relationship like with a reall gooddoctor — I want to hear the options, and I’ll Gregory Lee, senior vice president, asseft management, at , said his firm hires architectsa for multifamily development and space planning for among other projects. Look for strength and experienc e in the type ofstructure you’rre planning.
Inquire about who the architect was for a buildingg youlike — or don’t “Put that away for reference,” he Find an architect who can “value engineer” your he said. “Some architects can give you a look, qualitty feel and functionality for the same dollar throughh judicious use of the way they run the for example,” he Talk to other developers about how quickly architectsz have handled issues that “That response time has value,” he said.
“Otherwise there are a lot of people playing poker inthe