Creative, thoughtful, not super high end architect?
We are buying a duplex in a brownstone in Bklyn Hts, and we know we’re going to renovate in 2 stages: now, a relatively minor renovation, putting a wall up, taking a wall down, maybe raising a ceiling, some cosmetic stuff. Stage 2, when we can afford it, will include digging out the basement to…
We are buying a duplex in a brownstone in Bklyn Hts, and we know we’re going to renovate in 2 stages: now, a relatively minor renovation, putting a wall up, taking a wall down, maybe raising a ceiling, some cosmetic stuff. Stage 2, when we can afford it, will include digging out the basement to increase headroom & total basement finishing, total kitchen/bathroom renovations, etc.
We’re looking for a creative, thoughtful, perhaps young/new architect (or at least not super expensive) who can walk through the apt now to give us some ideas, give us an estimate of costs, and then draw up some plans for the first stage of renovation. We’re looking for someone who will have a modern, but not ultra-modern attitude; who knows Bkyln brownstones; who’s into light and space and (when possible) natural, green ideas & materials.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated!
We’re a young creative firm located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. And we would glady meet with you to discuss your potential project.
Beardslee Waites Architects
718-599-4534
Buy the best and you cry only once.
I just went through this very problem with this issue lately. I am doing a full scale reno. I spoke to 3 amazing architects known for middle and high end renos of brownstones and coop/condos. They told me I had to spend mega-bucks to get the kind of reno I want. So naturally I figured they were all wrong and I went my merry way. I found a cheaper architect who is okay working with a cheaper contractor. And it’s true I am getting what I paid for. I can honestly afford the more expensive route, but it wasn’t what I was comfortable with at the time. But now I do regret it. I feel alone in the woods. House may come out just fine, it probably will. We are going slowly and overseeing a lot of things a more involved architect may have overseen for us (or maybe not, we’ll never know.) But at least while I am in this H*ll and it is that bad, I torture myself and think that I would have come out much better had I hired a real set of pros. Who knows. I have never heard of anybody but a select few people like their architects once the job is done. Usually they end up hating both architect and contractor. So I am already beyond that and in to hating myself for getting me stuck in this mess. Good luck and beware.
Perhaps the original poster should give out an indication of their budget.
“exploitive trying to squeeze every square inch out of your property”
Can’t anyone offer advice without insulting the original poster? There has to be an architect out there who charges less than others—that is all they are asking for.
you get what you pay for
“perhaps young/new architect (or at least not super expensive)”
these are the warning signs…
“exploitive trying to squeeze every square inch out of your property”
why would they? what does this even mean?
Try Jeremy Shannon at Prospect Architecture. His email is: jrms@prospectarchitecture.com. Firm’s website is http://prospectarchitecture.com/