Notes on building better.
Insights on design, construction, and the business of architecture.
How Much Does an Architect Cost in Alberta?
The fee is a function of the project, and the project hasn't been defined yet. That said, the range is knowable — and understanding how fees are structured will help you ask better questions.
Why You Should Speak with an Architect First, Not a Builder
Many people call a builder first. It feels practical. The sequence is understandable — and it's also the most common source of frustration, cost overruns, and designs that don't quite fit.
What an Architect Actually Does for You
The protected title is sometimes applied loosely by other industry people. Before hiring anyone for a building project, it helps to understand what a licensed architect actually provides.
The Cheapest Architect Isn't the Cheapest Option
I've lost projects to designers who charged less. In two of those cases, the clients came back mid-construction. The fee savings didn't survive contact with the jobsite.
What to Know Before You Renovate
Renovations are often harder than new construction. Hidden conditions, outdated systems, structural surprises — none of these appear on the wish list, but all of them tend to show up on the invoice.
Where to Start When You Want to Build
Most people begin with a number. The more reliable approach works the other way: start with what you need and what the site demands, then arrive at the budget as a conclusion rather than a constraint.
The Integrity of Place
Architecture is not the structure. It is the held space between people, between generations, between a place and the people who pass through it.
Three or four notes a year.
Nothing more.
The fee is a function of the project, and the project hasn't been defined yet. That said, the range is knowable — and understanding how fees are structured will help you ask better questions.
Read it →Every project begins with a Discovery Consultation.
It is not a sales meeting. It is the first piece of work — mandatory for every project at every scale.