Working With Architects and Kitchen Designers
Coping with three dimensional design is a time consuming, creative process that requires a lot of work and experience. For many of us it is very difficult to understand all the potential of the space we have because we are not used to thinking in these terms. Using an architect or interior designer well versed in residential design can make a big difference in the overall success of your kitchen design. They have the experience and creative tools necessary to break through existing concepts and come up with new and effective solutions.
Does using a design professional mean losing creative control? Every designer and architect we’ve talked felt that the answer was a resounding no. Informed clients who know what they like and how they will use a space are a big help to a designer. Any professional design process starts with an evaluation of the goals and usage of the new space. This input comes from you and your lifestyle and budget. The more involved you are in the process (assuming you remain open-minded), the better your design may turn out.
Professional designers do not work exclusively on high budget projects. While their compensation is often tied to the monetary scale of the project, you can hire them on a consulting or fee basis for smaller projects or to handle one or more aspects of your design like spatial design, detailing, etc. Tell a prospective designer up front what your budget and your goals are and then listen to their input. Often they know many ways you get more for your money, more than making up for their fees.
Finding the right professional means looking at their work, interviewing past clients, getting referrals and checking out everything you would with any contractor. You may find a good designer at a cabinetry-oriented kitchen design store but more often than not these ‘kitchen designers’ are basically skilled salespeople. Interview them for esthetics and how they handle the overall design process, not just the cabinetry and appliances (their profit centers). Consider using them only if you feel they mesh well with your desires.
Architecture and Kitchen Design Are Not the Same
One caveat on using architects as kitchen designers: Architects may not be your best choice as kitchen designers because kitchen design is a highly specialized aspect of residential design. We have seen many cases where an architect with a lot of general experience designed kitchens that simply were not practical. Often they are not aware of the many details and issues involved in designing a kitchen that works well day in and day out.
What architects are very good at is the big picture aspects of design. How do you fit an addition into an odd location? How do I solve a space problem? How do I integrate the kitchen space into an existing footprint? What are my options for going up and out with the space? These are architectural issues. Consider teaming up an architect with a kitchen designer. You may get the best of both worlds.
