Creativity,

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Alex Paradowski, principal in design and communications firmParadowskio Creative, said he’s looking for an architecf with new ideas. “I want them to come up with stufc I could never comeup with. I want to push them not rein them in.” The architecy you choose should be able to solve youruniqus problems. In Paradowski’s case, that was a large, open office area but the need for privacy at individual work Paradowski has used architects forheadquarters projects, such as Paradowski Creative’sx upcoming move to a rehabbed Midtown building, as well as his own Creative options don’t necessarily come at a highedr price, he said.
“Inventive and low-costt ideas can separate architectfrom architect, and one projectf from another.” That doesn’t necessarily translate into looking for the oldest or largest firm, he “I don’t know that if you go to the biggest firm that you get the best unless your project commands the best people he said. Look at the work of the persomn who’ll be on your team. Bruc Sommer, director of America’s Center, and his team recently went througgh a bid process for thecurrent $30 million upgradw of the Edward Jones Dome.
“Whild we’re public, we’re not required to take the low bid, but we are requirer to consider it,” he “First and foremost, you want someon e well-qualified.” A qualified architect will probablhy give you acompetitive bid, he said. Be very clearf about what you expect an architectto do, Sommer Check references for the firms you consider, and get a completwe biography of each team he said. The architect’s proposal should includd detailon subcontractors, such as a structurak engineer. “The architect usually gives an extensivepersonal presentation, so you can gril them,” he said.
Be sure to ask open-ende questions to get a sense ofthe architect’sz creativity. “If you’re doing suites, you want some pizzazz, because they’re goingb to pay a lot of money for Use a lawyer to review your contracf andavoid mistakes, Sommer said. “There’s a whole list of things to look for, but it comes down to a gut Sommer said. “You want a relationship like with a reall gooddoctor — I want to hear the and I’ll pick.” Gregory Lee, seniort vice president, asset at , said his firm hires architectsz for multifamily development and space planning for tenants, amongy other projects.
Look for strength and experience in the type ofstructurde you’re planning. Inquire about who the architect was for a building you like or don’t like. “Put that away for reference,” he Find an architect who can “value engineer” your project, he “Some architects can give you a look, quality feel and functionalitty for the same dollar through judicious use of the way they run the for example,” he said. Talk to othedr developers about how quickly architects have handled issueasthat arose. “That response time has he said. “Otherwise therd are a lot of people playing poked inthe trailers.
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