The opportunity to build a custom home allows you to design a living space that fits your personality, your design aesthetic, and your lifestyle. There is a lot that goes into the custom home design process from planning to construction, with thousands of details in between that all contribute to an organic, comfortable space.
As a Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD), I have been rigorously tested on my structural design and space visualization abilities, as well as my knowledge of building codes and guidelines. The success of a custom home design is very dependent on your professional designer’s ability to combine form and function… aesthetics and beauty with comfort and practicality. With more than 25 years of custom home design experience, I can help you build your dream home!
Custom Home Design Process
- The process of designing your custom home starts with you. I treat my initial consultations as a friendly “interview,” where we can exchange ideas, review past projects, and ensure that we will have a productive and collaborative working relationship. It’s important that you feel comfortable sharing your design ideas with me, and that you also feel confident in my abilities to guide your project in the right direction.
- After the initial brainstorming session, we will visit the proposed home site to get a better idea of the available resources and any potential environmental restrictions. We will also review any architectural statutes and regulations that may apply to your particular residential area, as well as examining custom home design solutions that are both functional AND economical. I will offer my recommendations regarding the build site, home layout, building materials, etc. so that you will have a full understanding of the scope of the project.
- After these preliminary design steps, I will be able to provide you with a detailed design for your new home, complete with all specifications and building code compliances. Depending on your preference, I can also help you plan the construction process and even review contractors or accept bids on your behalf. With my wide-ranging knowledge of the building industry, I can act as your agent throughout the engineering and construction phases of your custom home design.
In addition to my CPBD certification, I am also a Certified Green Professional (CGP) and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). This additional training is very valuable if you are considering a sustainable or “green” design for your custom home, or if you are planning to build a home that is intended as an independent living space for mature adults. For more information, check out these articles about Sustainable Home Building and Aging-in-Place.