| Greenbuilding Archive for March 2001 |
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| 257 messages, last added Tue Nov 26 17:25:09 2002 |
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Abbie,
Your local or state AIA chapter (you didn't say where you live so I'm assuming USA/Can) will have information on how to interview a series of architects and how to determine both capability and compatitbility. These will provide good solid methods for interviewing any creative professional, really. Typically the local chapters are quite responsive; however, that is not often said of the national AIA, although the website could be helpful. http://www.aia.org should help you locate the chapter nearest you, and also has useful information if you click "for the client" and then "how to find an architect."
For general "green design" questions you can start the discussion with something like "How does your firm address issues of sustainability?" Use the character of the general response to shape further inquiry into what your relevant issues may be (from material conservation to indoor air quality). You should find out if your interviewees have ever heard of LEED and to what degree they may have addressed environmental concerns in their practice.
It can be difficult to sort out "buzzword blather" from genuine knowledge and practice in sustainability and many other categories. I'd recommend that you be an educated client: seek at least a general familiarity or understanding of the issues surrounding the questions you intend to ask and have an idea of what a decent answer might be. This forum can help you with debunking, as needed. Take careful notes in your interviews.
Feel free to ask more questions,
Yours
Gavin W. Bowie, Assoc. AIA
Project Architect
Group Goetz Architects
2000 L Street NW #410
Washington DC 20036
[T] 202.682.0700
[F] 202.682.0738
[D] 202.777.0471
[e] gbowie@gga.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Abbie Verner [mailto:abbie.verner@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 12:20 PM
To: greenbuilding
Subject: [GBlist] Meeting with architects
What are some key questions to be asked with our first meeting with
architects. All suggestions welcome. This is the inital interview
prior to choosing "the" architect for our green building addition to
1935 building which needs renovation.
Abbie Verner
