If you are planning on selecting an architect you've probably read the twenty things to ask an architect article published by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) by now. While this is a good list, there are some additional questions and suggestions that are important to add to your selection process. Some of these suggestions are from insight gained from working in actual offices and interviewing with hundreds of potential clients. Other issues arise from knowing how a well run office functions and the computer technology that is used by the top firms. So here's the list:

1. Go see the architect's office.

An architect's office can demonstrate their design aesthetic and creativity. However, usually the initial meeting with an architect will be at the project site, so you may not have an opportunity to see the architect's office. Consider scheduling a visit at the architect's office a few days after the initial meeting.

2. A disorganized and messy office might be a red flag.

An architect has to organize hundreds, if not thousands of pieces of information, and a disorganized office might be a big red flag. However, don't confuse artist creativity with disorganization. Architectural models, trace paper and sketches can be a sign of a creative architect, but project information is normally stored in binders and filing cabinets. Large piles of paper are probably not a good thing.

3. Ask if the architect is using 3D software.

The most sophisticated architects use software that creates a 3D Building Information Model or BIM. A house or project designed in BIM is completely or almost completely designed in 3D. In addition, in many cases the software can help eliminate errors in coordination of drawings since the 2 dimensional drawings are all 'extracted' from the 3D model. The software also keeps track of things like sizes of each door and window, and when a dimension is changed in one drawing, it is automatically updated in another. This can be a real help in reducing errors.

4. The foundation of an architect's experience is his education.

While attending a good school can help assure your architect has a good foundation, usually a better indicator is how an architect did in the school they attended. From my experience in school and teaching, only 10%-20% of students are really talented designers and very few students got significantly better as they went through school. To get a sense of how someone did in school, ask about design awards they may have won or exhibitions they may have participated in.

5. Know the staff member(s) you are going to work with.

If you are hiring a firm with several staff members, find out who will be working with you. Sometimes the person you are interviewing with won't actually be doing much design work on your project. If the person you are going to be working with isn't at the initial meeting, ask to visit the architect's office (see #1) and be introduced to the people who will be on your team. Ask to see the credentials of those team members as well.

6. Architects communicate with drawings and words.

Take a look at some of the architect's drawings and ask the architect questions about them. It may be difficult at first to read or understand drawings if you haven't done this before, but if you can't understand them after an architect explains them, then either the drawings are not very good, or the architect has a hard time communicating - both may be a serious warning sign.

7. A set of construction drawings includes both drawing and written specifications.

Not all information is communicated within drawings. Bathroom fixtures, light fixtures, decorative finishes, levels of quality and other information that is easier said in words than in drawings are communicated in written specifications. If your architect doesn't write specifications, then you'll likely be answering many questions during construction and may be hit with expensive change orders.

8. Check out the architect's website.

A skillfully designed, clearly organized website can communicate that an architect is organized and can assemble information in a clear fashion. If their website is out of date or they don't have one, this might be a hint that they are behind the times.

9. How well does the architect work with the various building departments?

When your architect submits your permit set of drawings to the building department, they are typically reviewed and a revision/correction notice is issued. A skillful architect can easily get a residential or small commercial project through with no revisions or one round of revisions. Since each round of revisions takes time, fewer rounds of revisions means you get your permit sooner. A delayed permit could hold up construction. If you're trying to get your project framed and weather-tight before the rainy season, this could push the project into a season with unfavorable construction conditions.