Welcome to Bild’s first “frequently asked questions” blog!

What is Bild Architecture?
Bild Architecture LLC is a 2011 formed architecture firm whose partners, Evan Carroll and Sasha Salzberg, have over five years of design experience and over a decade of management experience. Bild’s current specialties include design of residential and small commercial projects, and consulting for permitting and project feasibility. (Want to know more about our experience? See our portfolio.)

Why “bild”?
The name “bild” is a misspelling of “build” chosen for it’s symmetrical composition in lowercase. We like the concept of “build” because it is a word of action that implies progress. It also turns out that “bild” means “picture” in German, and that there is a German tabloid called “Bild.” While this could have dissuaded us from using the word, we decided that few people would ever get us confused with a German tabloid.

How is Bild different from other architecture firms?
At Bild, we are proud of our communication skills. We have developed methods for graphically communicating design that we believe truly empower our clients to have influence and input in the design process. We have facilitation and consensus building experience that can be invaluable in bringing groups of interested parties to a unified conclusion about design, zoning, cost management or other issues. We are skilled at brainstorming and communicating project visions that become the driving forces behind successful completion of design projects. (Want to read more about our firm? See who we are.)

What is Bild passionate about?
One of the deepest values shared at Bild is our connection to our families and to loved ones, and we hope that through our architecture we can help others reinforce their own personal relationships. We hope, as the opportunities arise, to be able to serve baby boomers and empty-nesters as they re-evaluate their lives and consider downsizing their home or aging-in-place.

There is a love and poetry to finding design solutions to these issues because, while they have physical responses in buildings, the solutions also require a careful understanding of who a person expects to grow old with. The lesson learned from existing nursing homes is that living in them can feel like growing old alone, and that it takes more deliberate planning to ensure that people don’t grow old alone. The challenge of creating a physical environment that keeps people from being isolated while also thinking carefully about planning for support from loved ones goes right to the heart of our personal values at Bild Architecture. (Want to share your passion with us? See our sketch project.)

What’s so great about Evan?
Evan has over five years of architectural experience with design, project management, detailing, and construction management. He has broadened his experience skill list through numerous volunteer positions that have allowed him to develop skills as a facilitator, moderator and consensus builder. These positions have also given him first-hand experience in how policy changes can be made and how public process can be navigated to benefit the project owner, the governing body, and the greater community. (Want to read more about Evan? See Evan’s bio.)

Why is Sasha even greater than Evan?
Sasha has over ten years of experience with business, including personnel management, small business management, budget creation, marketing plan creation, and marketing design. Sasha has a knack for recognizing and encouraging the strengths of those around her, and is practiced at creating a brainstorming climate for idea generation and finding creative solutions to problems. Sasha also volunteers on numerous local boards and committees where she hones her skills in planning, outreach, and interpersonal relations.  (Want to read more about Sasha? See Sasha’s bio.)

Bild seems new to the architecture scene. . . should anyone be worried about this?
We feel excited to be part of what is definitely a groundswell of young professionals who are literally networked together by the digital culture we grew up in. Our peers are, like us, connected, involved and full of new ideas and fresh thinking. Bild may be a new architectural firm, but our previous experience, communication skills, and critical thinking skills will bring Bild and our clients successfully through any project we undertake. (See some of our friends.)

I’ve had a few conversations recently about my work, and I’ve noticed that not everyone knows what architects DO! If you’ve ever been curious about what architects do, I hope that this post will help. First, here are a few common misconceptions about architects:

• “Architects build and construct buildings” – Architects only DESIGN buildings and this is typically done using, pencil, paper and computer software. A contractor or builder is hired to physically construct the building out of bricks, mortar, wood, steel, concrete and many other materials.
• “Architects produce a product for their clients” – Architecture is a professional practice that provides a service to a client. Architects create drawings that guide the construction process, but these drawings are provided as part of a professional service that could also include consulting about project planning, management, construction or energy conservation.
• “Architects are not needed if you have a good builder” – First of all, many local regulations expect architects to be involved in construction projects, just as lawyers are expected to be in courtrooms. Also, architects have years of experience and professional training specifically geared towards creating value for a client. Architects can provide value in many ways including: resale value, energy efficiency, cost per square foot, speed of construction and last but not least, aesthetic beauty.

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So at a minimum, architects provide design services to people (clients) looking to build something. Architects often classify their projects as “residential” and “commercial.”

For a residential client,  design services almost always include the layout of the rooms in the house as well as drawings showing how the house will look from the street. The architect is also often involved in designing the walls and roof of the house to be energy efficient, and is often involved in choosing interior finishes like counters and floors. Once the owner and the architect have agreed on a design, drawings showing the design are finalized and used by a builder to build the house. The architect may work with the builder throughout construction, to make sure the design works well for the builder and the owner.

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Architects also have commercial clients. This generic term refers to clients that could be for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, institutions or governments. There is an almost limitless list of services that an architect can provide to commercial clients, and design services can be much more extensive than those for a residential project. Typical design services for a commercial client include:

• layout of required rooms and organization of stairs, elevators and hallways,
• design of wall, roof and foundations to protect building interiors from rain, wind, sun and temperature,
• coordination of structural systems, plumbing systems, air handling systems and any other building systems,
• design of building exterior, including the shape of the building and the materials,
• design of building interior, including finishes, colors, cabinetry and bathrooms, and
• management of sub-consulting design team that includes engineers and other designers.

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In addition to design services, architects can provide many consulting services for both commercial and residential clients, such as:

• helping the client determine the number and size of rooms that they need (programming),
• assisting the client and the contractor with interpretation of the drawings during the construction process (construction administration),
• guiding the client through required permitting and public hearing processes,
• producing drawings and other graphics used to raise money for the project,
• helping the client choose a contractor based on their particular needs (bidding), and
• creating and coordinating documents and manuals that are handed over to the client when the building is completed.

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In short, architects help their clients by looking at their construction project in its entirety. Architects can be thought of as executive managers who lead the design of a project as a representative of the client. Here AIA Vermont describes this well:

“Architects are trained to solve problems creatively and within your budget. They know how to reduce building costs, decrease energy needs and increase future resale value through good design. They look beyond your immediate requirements to design flexible, efficient buildings that will adapt to your changing needs.” (AIA of Vermont)

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Further Resources:

AIA: Questions to ask an architect, webpage – This list of questions is a great simple start to help you think about how to relate to an architect.

AIA: You and Your Architect, booklet – This booklet is definitely worth printing. One of my favorite pages is page 8, where you can find a list of services provided by architects.

AIA: How Design Works for You, website – If you feel like exploring a website for awhile then check this one out. There are some case studies about clients and architects.