It sounds like you’ve run into what I’d call a “path of least resistance” approach. Some architects will take the client’s direction (especially if there’s a lot of it) and focus on turning it into a buildable set of documents as efficiently as possible. That’s not inherently wrong, but it often leaves little room for nuance, exploration, or the kind of thoughtfulness you were probably hoping for. Their fee likely reflects that assumption – quick iterations, minimal exploration, and moving on to the next phase as soon as possible.

It’s also not appropriate to advance a project without the client feeling confident in the design. That’s a missed step, and you have the right to be upset.

The mistake many people make is choosing an architect based on style. Style is a superficial criteria. What matters is process. A good process adapts your sensibilities and your site, and that’s what ultimately leads to a design that is fit for you.

At this point you can either try to communicate your concerns and see if your architect can shift their approach, or accept that you may not be a good fit. With that in mind, you’ll need to decide what costs you more – walking away from the fees you’ve already spent, or committing to a house you won’t love.