[GBlist] architects / monster houses

["clark ellison" <cellison1@austin.rr.com>]

Once again we have a direction.
I went to a local "green" architect/builder/supplier, a member of the local
Sustainable Building Coalition, and requested information that he required
from me to design a home and the only guide I gave was it had to be 1200 sq
ft min ( building rules) but  less than 2500 sq ft (my rules). He went to
2500 sq ft instantly and everything jumped from there. I repeated the fact
that that was the max footage and not where I wanted to be but he never
heard that. As the supplier, builder, his income comes from more footage not
less.
He did tell me I could save money by doing the work myself but his fees for
the drawings were based on the max footage and value of the finished product
as a percentage of his charges for the whole ball of wax. His quote for
doing the drawings and this was for simple ones, without elevations, was
$12,500.00.  He wanted 25% down another 50% when I looked at them and the
other 25% when completed.
I do not think he ever understood that I might not want him to do anything,
he considered it a completed sale.
I noticed he is not on the list.
Thats right he is not on my list either.
Thanks for the new list.
Clark



----- Original Message -----
From: "Aimee Houser" <hous0088@tc.umn.edu>
To: <greenbuilding@crest.org>
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2002 9:19 AM
Subject: [GBlist] Re: monster houses


> Take heart: some architects in America do recognize that square
> footage is out of control. Please check out this web site:
> http://www.notsobighouse.com/  Susanka has put out two beautiful
> coffee-table books on the subject. The site lists architects who are
> enthusiastic about building the not so big house.




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