Let's take the mystery out of working with architects.

Architecture matters because the quality of the built environment is a key ingredient in the overall quality of life — for individual clients and for the communities they live and work in. A well-designed building does something to the people inside it. A poorly designed one does something too.

Professional architects engage in planning, designing, and providing advice on building design, erection, construction, or alterations. They prepare technical documentation and inspect work during construction. Architects lead multidisciplinary teams, maintain project schedules and budgets, and ensure compliance with building codes and regulations.

What distinguishes a licensed architect from other design professionals is the breadth of responsibility: from the initial idea through to occupancy, with the professional accountability that comes with it.

Legal requirements vary by occupancy type, building size, and height. Some building types don't legally require professional architectural involvement below prescribed thresholds. Consulting a licensed architect remains best practice regardless, to ensure competent design, code compliance, and the long-term performance of the building.

In Canada, the authoring architect retains design copyright as intellectual property. The client owns the constructed building. Copyright may be transferred to the client for a fee or under specific conditions; this is addressed in One One Ten's professional services agreement.

Engineers provide complementary technical expertise across structural, mechanical, electrical, and civil systems. They ensure the building performs, is structurally sound, and meets life safety requirements — supporting the architectural vision rather than directing it.

One One Ten coordinates closely with structural and mechanical consultants beginning in the Design stage. The studio has preferred engineering partners and can work compatibly with client-nominated firms.

The design process integrates client participation from the earliest stage, beginning with the Discovery Consultation. Progress is reviewed at each major milestone, with clear documentation of design decisions so clients understand what was decided, why, and what comes next. The process is structured to progress through sequential phases: Discovery, Design, Detail, Document, Build, and Celebrate.

The Discovery Consultation and structured milestone reviews exist specifically to prevent this scenario. Design is developed collaboratively, with client input at each stage before commitments are made. If a direction isn't working, that is resolved in the room, not after construction begins.

Professional fees are owed for work completed, but the studio works diligently to deliver optimal solutions and document collaborative design progression with clients throughout the delivery phase.

Contractors contribute most effectively in developing constructability strategies, scheduling, estimating, maintaining quality, and managing site safety. Early contractor involvement can improve project outcomes, but design direction is not their area of expertise, education, or experience. One One Ten insists on early contractor involvement as a full partner in the project delivery process and works to accommodate this as early as the Detail phase, before the Construction Documentation effort begins.

The studio uses both analog and digital design methods. Traditional tools — hand sketching, physical cardboard models — remain part of the process, while 3D modelling and printing, artistic visualization, and construction documentation software create the instruments of service prepared for the building effort to come.

For residential (LIVE) work at the Bespoke — Atelier service tier, physical 3D models are produced at key milestones so clients can understand the building in three dimensions before it is fully committed to paper.