How does your project fit into the context?
By context, we don’t just simply mean meeting regulation through zoning and city planning. Although those are important. Architecture’s essence stems from the context and the environment around it. When someone buys your home or your condo, they are not simply buying your investment property, but a piece of the environment and the lifestyle associated with it. Successful projects use context to enhance the experience of the future buyer and excite them about using the spaces. Buyers will pay big for better experiences. When a potential buyer is looking for their home, they are placing themselves in the home and putting their future selves into that lifestyle. They imagine their day to day experience. This is true in both residential and commercial real estate. As a new business owner looking for a new office, I placed myself into the potential lifestyle associated with my office. As an investor, always be mindful of the environment you are creating and remain critical of the experiences created through your architecture. Ignoring these experiential qualities of your project could be disastrous. An easy example is a view, take advantage of them. How about the connection to the street or the sidewalks? Perhaps your project is near a noisy interstate, how can the architecture limit noise pollution? The point is to consider the experience you have using the building.
Think about the return on design.
It’s a common mistake to equate great design with high construction costs. We believe great design will not only save you money but also make you money. Great design can save you money by being more efficient and make you money by being more appealing. No one wants to live or work in a space that does not function properly or offers a terrible experience. It's not enough to clad a project with high-end materials or make the project attractive. Great design must balance function, aesthetics, and experience to create affordable projects people cherish. Great design can solve amazingly complex issues. It simply takes someone to recognize its potential and trust its process. The most flexible time of your project is at the drawing board. Work with your architect to explore options and work through providing great experiences for your future buyers. Iteration and critique are key to great design. Be critical, ask questions, push them to work the problem.
We believe taking these ideas into consideration will only lead to bigger returns and better projects. Our ultimate goal is to create great places for people to live and work. Surrounding your everyday life with high design and great experiences offers a better quality of life.
© 2019 by Clements Wimsatt Architects PLLC
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