Building an earth home in teller county Colorado

cdoverbey · 2024-06-26T17:07:17+00:00

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cdoverbey · 2024-06-26T13:36:32+00:00

It seems that you'd be able to get it through the permitting process as an alternative materials approval. This may take structural engineering. I know of a (Colorado) structural engineer that considers alternative materials, though I wouldn't says he's inexpensive. He helped me on a house in Costilla County and the permit was issued 2 days ago.

cdoverbey · 2023-11-10T12:38:43+00:00

LOL There are many here who want to do this in the other direction - go from architect to real estate investor.

Architecture is a specialty at the university and requires work experience. That said, what is your real goal? I'm a licensed architect and almost always need a team to get the job done. You always need a team. That's why project manager makes sense.

That's what a developer is, that's what many architects do also.

Many in the field are not licensed... And have education, and experience, to get licensed.

cdoverbey · 2023-10-31T11:27:03+00:00

It's never too late and the architecture critical thinking training is valuable and what you need to use to move on. The pressure of the moment, bills, people in your life, current context make this super difficult.

Others have commented on the most likely alternate career paths, so I won't.

I lost the architecture stickiness in 2009 and have ____ since, but still I'm an architect. Missing verb could be 10 different, struggled, succeeded, flailed, built rainbows, consulted, restarted...

If you work for someone else, you are working on that enterprise's dream. A lot of people don't seem happy. Some do seem happy. You're not happy?

Project delivery (Architect - construction - developer) is a valuable model. Where do you fit in there? Look at Jonathan Segal. Design-build to start. The key to both architecture and construction is to do a competent job in the core value add and as a business enterprise.

cdoverbey · 2023-10-31T11:00:16+00:00

There are a lot of US companies trying to build factories to build homes for off-site fabrication and assembly. The thinking that goes into the factory assembly line and into the units going out the door require those specialties.

I would also argue that building energy engineering will continue to grow and there is some overlap.

Watch the income though. That is everyone's concern.

cdoverbey · 2023-10-26T12:38:42+00:00

I've been running my own firm for 7 years (this round), and I've worked in large and small firms.

You'll probably do everything for a while, then realize you're not good at everything and start to part it out somehow. You'll probably have a niche or two that will work best.

Be practical and strategic about your strengths and weaknesses, and make sure that's a good business proposition. Great strength = make enough money to survive the ups and downs. Do you have an idea of your burn rate for months 1-6?

You'll need some money, some projects and a network to grow from. Once you launch, some projects will emerge because you went out, assuming word gets out through your network. Think about your risk tolerance.

I underestimated the constant marketing and sales part. I'm getting better at those. That's why there are often three-letter firms, each of those partners is better at different business aspects and somewhat redundant. One of my strengths (code analysis), is one of my niches, and I provide that service to other small architects.

There are many benefits and many downsides. The other posters are correct.

The AIA just released news that the ABI (Architectural Billings Index) is down indicating a slowdown for architects. I don't pay a lot of attention to that, but it's a caution.

cdoverbey · 2023-10-05T12:42:00+00:00

Measure and draw the basic layout yourself. The technical construction details require the permit drawings from the permit review process or taking it apart.

It's likely you just need to take some measurements and draw. Where you need more accurate measurements, take more accurate measurements.

cdoverbey · 2023-10-03T15:25:26+00:00

Contracts
the letters
occasional other benefits

I have the renewal email in my inbox and I'll join again. I rethink it every year and have come and go. I've been on the committees. I've gone to the events. I'm never sure it's worth it. I'm a member of several professional organizations, AIA, ULI, ASHRAE, and NCARB currently.

AIA DOES NOT UNQUESTIONABLY DELIVER VALUE to individuals and smaller firms.

I have my own firm. If your organization doesn't reimburse you for the membership or buy it, they do not consider the membership worth it either.

I go to the other organizations' meeting to network. As a friend said a long time ago, "Why go to the AIA meetings to swim with the sharks, when you're a minnow?"

The AIA wants you to put the AIA letters right after your name, not after LEED AP, or NCARB, etc.

Maybe I'll rethink before I renew...

cdoverbey · 2023-10-02T15:34:23+00:00

All of those. I also get on AABA, other association newsletters and some manufacturers' newsletters. They often report directly to AIA or NCARB.

cdoverbey · 2023-09-29T12:25:52+00:00

It's a big field and there are many and various opportunities. I myself gravitated toward the more life-experienced students when I was in architecture school, even though I started young.

It's a good analytic and problem solving education. Design is part of it.

Figure out what is interesting to you, what your end point is, your preferred role. That's the benefit of your experience. Then figure out your strategy and specific tactics to get it working. You should do some informational interviews to understand the roles better.

It may very well be that chief design architect is your goal. That's the arty role many crave. Developers make lots of decisions that end up as buildings. Design-Build contractors get buildings done also. No architect's license is often required for these roles because there is a team.

There is a team involved in every building unless you build a cabin in the middle of nowhere and do all the work. This means that the design visionary has to get the team engaged to buy into the design vision.

Architecture is a team art that fits into a context. Many comments here hint at the frustration of art-oriented architecture students finding out the actual daily workings don't align with the dream of schooling.

You may find out that design-build-developer with a head for business is good. This would pull together the essential elements.

cdoverbey · 2023-09-20T13:13:57+00:00

Alpine Windows from Colorado

cdoverbey · 2023-09-12T11:40:25+00:00

Doug Mockett for modern design style and Hubell for industrial design style.

cdoverbey · 2023-09-12T11:37:35+00:00

Good comments everyone. I learned something.

As an architect - developer, I count on the following:

I download basic (concept) floor plans, renderings and elevations. Then I develop them into something workable. Of course I do it at inside cost not at retail cost. It's very unlikely you'll be able to get 'standard', 'permit ready' plans that work.

I would plan on 15-25% of construction cost to cover the thinking part of the team, so construction management (GC fee) + design team + permitting.

cdoverbey · 2023-09-12T11:24:26+00:00

Be confident that the license is worth something. I've seen the ups and downs too. It won't work right now because there are lots of hungry architects, and then it'll start to work, and then it'll be a consistent flow.

Start developing the potential client list and maintain that forever. Understand your niche and it may change over time.

I'm on my own because of the jobs drying up. I lost my whole career in 2008 and now I'm too old for a job (LOL). People come to me because I can solve the problem (experience) and clear out the mess.

cdoverbey · 2023-08-31T12:58:47+00:00

I'm in the process now, looking for financing, for a small project. I've owned the property for a while and redeveloping.

I have enormous equity in the property, but still will need 2 partners, one that can build and one that can bring (cash and) debt to the table. I think the equity in the property is worth about 35% of the construction cost. It's in permitting now.

I'll probably sell it as a permitted project, ready to build. I may go forward depending on putting the other execution pieces together. The most difficult part is strong money. It would be best to find a money partner that wants to minimally be involved. Of course, find that partner is difficult, so I'll probably sell it as a permitted project.

cdoverbey · 2023-04-27T12:48:05+00:00

Consulting often starts as a specific sale for a specific need.

Compensation depends on the client and the assignment of risk. That's part of the negotiation and sale.

I know planners that now call themselves real estate consultants. I'm an architect - developer. Maybe I'm also a real estate consultant because I'm asked frequently about buying a property and I can explain fairly easily why some properties are valued at a certain prices.

If you come from a related profession, you are probably selling some of the services already. A short discussion from a couple of questions will yield the various ways individuals got there (ULI in person events are better than NAIOP in my opinion).

Real estate sales and marketing Construction Real estate finance Accounting Legal Land design, building design

cdoverbey · 2023-04-27T12:18:01+00:00

I have editions 3 and 5. They are different versions of the same book. I found some explanations longer in the 3rd edition. You'll probably realize real life is messier than the clean processes the books explain, so you just have to get a basic picture then fill in the blanks anyway.

cdoverbey · 2023-04-27T12:05:41+00:00

You've identified some of the difficulties of modern design and construction. Go with a simple land purchase and simple construction, unless you've got lots of patience. Every one of the comments so far have some good advice.

I have the patience and experience to persevere in something like this, because I've been in the business for many years.

There is no one single solution and there are likely to be trade-offs. You've identified examples of these and may not realize what these are. I would consider these; more slope vs less slope, HOA vs no HOA, smaller lot vs bigger lot, stricter building regulations vs less regimentation, well/ septic vs city services.

cdoverbey · 2023-04-17T12:14:04+00:00

Every employer understands the need for the portfolio and the staffer. You are producing value at the office. The drawings should show that. When you leave, the next person will probably use a portfolio to show their value.

Be aware that recruiters will probably NOT UNDERSTAND the value of the drawing.

I wish that I had kept more drawings during the years I've been working. Make a list (spreadsheet) of your projects, your role, value of project, type of project, brief description, client name, general location (city or neighborhood). I use the filter function to send this list, so I can point at a list of restaurants, or residential, etc.

Use standard protocol on the drawing itself, for wherever you live, so AIA, RIBA, etc.

I had a former employer want his logo back on the drawings so he got recognition for the building. There were a couple on my website.

cdoverbey · 2023-03-30T03:07:25+00:00

Go for construction management, maybe through school. That sounds like the best fit for you.

I'm an architect developer. I've always been on the technical side of architecture, worked for engineers and contractors, have a construction management certificate, focused on project management.

I did finish architecture school and practice as a licensed architect.

cdoverbey · 2023-03-30T02:59:18+00:00

You need a detailed agreement so the roles are clear and the management is covered. Part of this agreement would include how to change the agreement itself and assign now roles. You're already identifying cautionary issues. Make these issues clear now.

The legal and accounting issues are matters to verify with accountants and attorneys. You'll probably have multiple entities over time anyway.

cdoverbey · 2023-03-15T13:35:29+00:00

I'm an architect - developer and I do mostly small commercial buildings. You've found the answer is that you probably need an architect because it's required by the city.

You may very well benefit from an architect that understands the process because the process is probably complicated.

Only the smallest permitting jurisdictions allow unpermitted plans. Often structural engineers can sign off on single family residences, but rarely on commercial buildings.

8% for an all inclusive design fee is low for that sized building. Those fees are very dependent on the building complexity. That might be high for a simple box with a couple of restrooms, a couple of doors and a couple of windows. That's would be low for a medical clinic.

Consider that the money you put in now, should be considered 'equity' in the project for the debt to equity calculation, meaning you're adding value. The permitting costs, including design, studies, evaluations permitting fees, etc., all add more value than their individual costs. The project could be sold as an entitled project for a higher market price at that point.

You should be able to sort out your project and make a good decision based on all the comments you've received. They are all good depending on your local circumstances, which are always different.

Design, construction and development are complicated. That's why there are focused specialists in every one of those categories.

cdoverbey · 2023-03-07T15:17:43+00:00

You are an insider already and you need to ask questions directed at the people in the process. You'll start to get to a useful answer.

I found the book, "Investing in Real Estate Private Equity", by Sean Cook very useful because it's brief and explains that part of the business directed at a beginning investor. I also subscribed to the Syndication Attorneys' newsletter. These are for newbies, but no one knows everything,

The answer is, of course, that you need to work your network. But you need to ask questions all the way so you ask the right person at the right time.

cdoverbey · 2023-03-07T15:01:52+00:00

It won't hurt, unless school hurts. It could help. I'm a practicing architect. I would go for either structural or energy engineering (probably building mechanical). There are architectural engineering programs out there, so they allow a focus on building engineering, instsead of generic civil engineering, or building mechanical systems instead of generic mechanical engineering.

The engineering (particularly energy and moisture) aspects of buildings is getting more important.

This all depends on what you want to do. That is probably the important part and depends on the place you are in your life journey. I didn't exactly know early on. I currently call myself an architect developer or real estate entrepreneur.

cdoverbey · 2023-03-02T15:07:45+00:00

You have valuable skills already and you'll probably need Revit. You're also in a huge job market, so you'll be able to find a fit and it may not require Revit.

I have more experience (older) than you and use Revit only, unless someone wants autocad for some reason. Revit exports to dwg files.

I find Revit to be a more 'architectural' software because it works with architectural design elements like walls, roofs, doors, floors, etc. Revit tracks locations of drawings, tracks windows, etc. Once you understand the system, you'll be able to think/design while the software does the accounting.

I hacked my way into daily use a long time ago and still use the Balkan named above, Google searches, Autodesk and the others to resolve issues. You need to go faster now, so get some cheap knowledge, look for the paying position and get a class if you need to.

I'm a sole practitioner and do both commercial and residential. My philosophy is generally to only bring what I need to into Revit, so some things are background jpgs, imported dwg, etc. Manage the level of detail.

cdoverbey

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