Downloads

A Guide to the Profession of Architecture

You may be wondering: what exactly does an architect do?

We are frequently approached by people who have never worked with an architect. We prepared this guide after hearing from many of them they were not sure of what an architect does.

In this informative downloadable PDF guide you will discover:

• what the title “architect” means;
• the four principles of architectural professionalism;
• the difference between professional registration and professional licensing;
• the difference between the professions of Architecture and Engineering;
• the two common categories of architects’ services: Basic Services and Additional (or “Extra”) Services;
• a chart showing the seven phases of a typical project with a sample list of Basic and Additional services for each phase; and,
• a more detailed charting of sample activities for each project phase of a typical project.

We hope you enjoy this guide and look forward to your feedback on the contents.

A Guide to Finding the Perfect Architect for Your Project

You may be wondering: how do I find the right architect for our project?

Architectural firms come in a wide variety of sizes and types. Some firms have a very narrow scope of interest while others are generalists. Each brings a different combination of expertise, specialties and values. Finding your perfect match in an architect is not impossible.

In this informative downloadable PDF guide you’ll discover how to do so. Use its 20 step Architect Selection Checklist and Schedule to organize your process, and an Architect Interviews Weighted Score Sheet, covering 31 key issues for evaluation in eight different categories, to assess architects who are interested in working with you.

We hope you enjoy this guide and look forward to your feedback on the contents.

A Guide to Preparing to Interview an Architect

You may be wondering: what questions should I ask an architect to see if we are a good fit?

Each project has its own unique characteristics. In this informative downloadable PDF guide you’ll find 68 questions, covering nine categories of information, that form a resource to help you construct questions that respond to your project’s unique characteristics.

This guide works as a useful supplement to our guide: HOW TO CHOOSE AN ARCHITECT.

We hope you enjoy this guide and look forward to your feedback on the contents.

Why Bother with Architecture? – Renewing Human Energy in the Midst of Climate Change

It is basically impossible to live in the world today without being aware that global climate is in a state of dramatic change – or, as one speaker describes it – disruption. It is equally impossible to be unaware of the cataclysmic outcome that we will visit upon ourselves if we fail to develop at least a proportionate response. If we are to come to terms with these realities, our current way of being must change. We have to move beyond our own physical backyards, both literally and figuratively.

WHY BOTHER WITH ARCHITECTURE? – RENEWING HUMAN ENERGY IN THE MIDST OF CLIMATE CHANGE provides the perspective we take at Vision in Form, our sense of the currently much-ignored power of architecture and of its capacity to create health and hope in the face of difficult local and global challenges.

We hope you enjoy it and look forward to your feedback on the contents.

Architectural Design Approach

I remember, as a six year old child, building extensive toy roadways and towns under the apple trees in my parents’ prairie-town backyard. Clearly, a seed of interest in the built-environment had taken hold.

In the intervening years this early interest has grown into a deep fascination with why and how we are able to create appropriate spirit of place for owners that nurtures and enlarges the lives of people who come in contact with it.

This guide highlights key elements of our approach to the architectural design of place.

We hope you enjoy it and look forward to your feedback on the contents.