BUILD - Architecture Awards 2017

34 Build 2017 Architecture Awards ames McDonald Associate Architects is a residential full service architectural firm specializing in designing unique solutions for all of its clients and their needs. This is particularly vital to ensure excellence, as James is eager to emphasise. “At James McDonald Associate Architects, we understand that it is important for us to understand what our clients are looking for, as well as understanding their life style and preferred tastes and wishes. Only then can we start to explore the many possible design solutions. “As a design principle, we do not dictate a style or direction of the homes to our clients. We start every project the same way, with a Charrette meeting with our client. This process allows us to explore multiple different possible concept solutions, that start meeting the clients likes and needs. Each nod of the head or stroke of the pen brings the verbal and graphic discussion into focus. In a brief couple hours, we can have explored several different ideas and have come to a consensus, on a preferred design direction. We encourage the client to provide direct feedback as a means to understanding what will meet their needs. Only in this method, can we start the design to create, not just a house for our clients, but a home. It is an engaging and fun experience for the client to see the ideas develop on the rolls of sketch paper right in front of them at our conference table or their own dining room.” Being based near Washington DC, gives the firm the opportunity to work on projects throughout the east coast, enabling it to create a broad portfolio of work, as James explains. “Over the years, we have completed projects up into New York, and down to North Carolina. Almost every project brings an interesting and unique site constraint and opportunity to the design solution for our client. The projects we work on vary in scale even more than the geographic location. We have enjoyed working on modest 2600 s.f. jewel box cottages, all the way up to 26,000 s.f. custom estates and chateaux inspired homes.” Discussing his clients, James believes that they are all looking for a unique service, and as such his firm works hard to ensure that they receive exactly what they need. “The clients of our custom homes are both based upon the traditional client/ architect roll, while others are based upon teaming up with a builder to design the home in more of a design/build partnership. Each of the methods provide their own set of benefits. Even when we are providing the more traditional roll between client and architect we like to encourage the builder selection to happen at the completion of the design stage. “These early estimates from the builder allow us to confirm that we are within the comfort level of our clients’ budget. With the builder selected early, we can provide a team to balance the design intent with the reality of budget and constructability. This process makes client driven changes or value engineering changes, less impactful to costs and timing. Using this team process we have more than 90% of our home designs get built.” Overall, James McDonald Associate Architects is committed to providing clients with the very highest standards of service and creating innovative projects that will stand the test of time, and this will remain its ongoing focus as the firm looks towards a bright and exciting future. Best High-End Residential Architecture Firm - East USA & Award for Excellence in Bespoke Residential Designs - USA James McDonald Associate Architects is a Virginia based architecture firm supporting a wide range of clients. We invited Founder James to tell us more about the firm and the range of services it offers. J Contact: James McDonald Contact Email: [email protected] Address: 10135 Colvin Run Road, Suite #200, Great Falls, Virginia, 22066, USA Phone: 001 703 757 0036 Website: http://www.jamesmcdonaldarchitects.com/ AR170017