Trillium Architects

Creating a home for living is a journey that necessitates a collaborative process. As with anything worthwhile, outcome is directly proportionate to effort and intention. It is a team effort that requires responsibility, participation and accountability by everyone. As your architects we lead, communicate, facilitate and coordinate that team. At Trillium we work with you to make the outcome worthwhile, rewarding and cherished. After all, a cherished home will be a well cared for home and it will live long into the future. We want to make your house into the most desirable home in your neighborhood. Follow these links to learn more.

At Trillium we design intelligent quality architecture and we endeavor to cultivate beauty and delight. We are trained in and highly aware of aesthetics. We have done our homework on issues that are important to us such as the effects of what we do on the environment. Our homes have great capacity to impact our health and the environment. Our homes need to provide us with a safe comfortable living experience.

We have goals and ambitions for our work. We may make suggestions to enhance and improve your project that are more environmentally responsible, resource efficient, cost effective or that will manifest a healthier outcome. If you would like to know more about these subjects just ask! We love to talk about it - and we enjoy sharing all that we have learned in our years of schooling and experience.

One of the most important aspects of a successful project is bringing together an appropriate team. A project team can include some or all of the following: homeowner, architect, builder, construction manager, engineers, landscaper designer, interior designer, lighting designer, bank, community board, town officials, neighbors, and any consultant or person who will effect the project outcome. Having all parties involved on board as early as possible in the process, when the opportunity to affect outcome is the greatest, is a recipe for success. Each team member plays an important and often complex role. The timely distribution of information to all parties is vital. We emphasize excellent communication and promote disclosure. Our goal is to maintain expectations and shepherd relationships. This is integral to the day-to-day workings of the project as well as the successful completion of your project as budgeted.

We know that just as no two people are alike, neither are any two projects. We think it is important for you to understand the process and your part in it. The progression we take you through has some basic principles but is also flexible enough to allow for the specifics required for each individual project. A good project is often marked by three things: a clear and thorough set of plans, timely decision making, and excellent communication. The following is a basic outline of events

Initial Meeting: First we meet and present ourselves - and our work - to you. We listen to you tell us what you are looking to accomplish. This first meeting is free and it is a time to get to know each other and for each of us to decide if we are a fit for the project.

We get to know you: Once we decide to work together and have agreed on the project scope and fee we meet again. We ask you a lot of questions about the way you live and listen to the answers. We gather information about you your family, your community and your connection to the world at large. We will need to spend time getting familiar with your lifestyle and surroundings. You are an extremely important and integral part of this process. The input we get from you is vital to understanding your needs and desires. If we are renovating or adding onto an existing house, we will take pictures and measurements and gather relevant data we may need. It is very helpful at this point to see any drawings, surveys or paper work you may have regarding the construction of your existing home.

Design: We look at all the input with objectivity. We look at your surroundings with fresh eyes. We have perspective on the situation which is unique. We process all the information taking into account a long list of items. We research anything that we need to clarify. We add to the list of considerations that you have given us anything that - in our unique professional judgment - is relevant. The following are some of the many things we may consider when looking at your project:

* The history of the house and/or site
* Existing conditions of the house and/or site
* Beauty, balance, appeal, proportion, light, air
* Kinship with surrounding context
* Functionality and livability of the plan
* Material, mechanical, furnishing and lighting selections
* Heating, cooling, water and air issues such as energy efficiency, health, comfort, and maintenance
* Life cycle assessment, initial cost
* Cost to build and cost to maintain
* Using and/or reusing resources effectively
* Codes, local zoning, fire safety
* Re-sale value

Construction Documents:Once a scheme is chosen and all parties are pleased with the general design, we begin to produce Construction Documents. The complete set of documents will be a detailed instruction manual which will cover every aspect of your project. This is the most time consuming and valuable portion of the architects work. During this time we will engage in a continuous process of asking questions, researching answers, nudging walls this way and that, working out details and proportions, and finding solutions until the documents are complete. As part of this process we will produce plans suitable for bidding and town approval as well as a full set of construction documents along with specifications.

Choosing a builder: There are several choices for building your home. We will guide you in finding and choosing a builder. We will help you understand bids, schedules and building methodologies. We will raise red flags when something has been left out or a question is left unanswered.

One option is to hire a builder in the beginning of the process- someone who you trust or who has a good reputation. The builder will provide cost estimates early in the process. Some clients feel that they could easily be cheated this way, however, our experience is that this is often a great way to work. The builder becomes integral to the process providing valuable input on building methods, value engineering and is invested in a good outcome.

Another option is to complete the construction documents and then have several builders bid on these documents. Some clients feel more comfortable with picking a builder at this point in the project.

A third option is to hire a construction manager. This person gets paid for there time and efforts of providing cost estimates and managing and coordinating the construction work. The client then pays each sub directly.

During Construction: Construction can be hectic. We will be your eyes ears and mouth on the job site. We will help you make decisions and deal with any unforeseen problems that may arise. We will help you chose colors, details, and furniture to complete your home. We will be there for you until you are living happily in your new surroundings.

Our fee schedule: We will put together a proposal for you that will outline the work to be done and what our fees will be. Every project is different; therefore the fees for a project are based on the particulars of that project. If there is more that one way to present a fee structure we will clearly explain the options and the benefits of each.

Your Budget: Every home owner is thoughtful of the budget - whether your project is a small remodel or a large second home. How much will it cost? Can I afford to do what I want to? We are your partners in these concerns. Your financial concerns will be an integral part of the process. We make sure your resources are being handled efficiently and effectively. We will help you figure out how to get what is most important and to help you put a plan into place. We feel it is of the utmost importance, no matter how big or small the project, to start with a master plan. Whether you are only doing on a piece at a time or the whole thing it is important to have a clear path.