Choosing an Architect

We've take the summer to find, interview, and now come to a decision on an architect for our home. We read a bunch of articles on how to do this since it's both of our first home building projects. We decided we wanted an architect so that we could do something interesting but also work within some challenging constraints:

- $300k budget
- 1500-1750 sq. ft.
- an interesting but challenging wooded, hilly, and wet 7.25 acres with limited access
- and building as green and sustainably as possible

Now that we've done the interviews (2 NYC architects and 2 local to the site) we've come to our selection. Our decision centered around a few criteria:

- Were they interested in the project given the above constraints and the style we indicated
- Had they a similar aesthetic style and could they show us similar projects
- Local experience with builders and towns
- Green building experience
- Could they start this fall on the project planning with a target of build begin this spring
- Did we have a good rapport with them

In the end, only one architect satisfied all these criteria and that made us feel like they were the right choice. We now have their contract in hand and they've been flexible in changing that a bit (including fee structure!) based on the project.

We'll list the name once we're officially signed. We decided to move ahead with them with a site visit coming later this month (August) before signing. This is because the siting is complex and may change the scope of project a bit so we can adjust the contract accordingly.

We're off to France and will probably contemplate all of this over again but we're excited that we're moving from dream into concept. Now the hard part starts.