Questions and Answers

Why do you call this page Q & A instead of FAQ?

Besides the simple fact that not all these questions have been asked frequently, my answer has to do with my training and nature as a designer. Just because most everyone else might do something the same way, that doesn’t necessarily make it the right thing to do. The design process is all about finding out what’s right for you and your particular needs. This means exploring creative solutions which are true to the project. This exploration may ultimately lead back to conventional ideas and solutions, but then they will be solutions that work, and aren’t done just because everybody else does it!

Why don’t you maintain an architect's license, and don’t you need a license to design my home, addition, or remodel project?

Simply put, I truly enjoy providing high-end design work at an affordable rate. It is for me a way of living out my faith in God, obeying His Son's command to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I admire folks whose main goal is not to make money, but instead simply enjoy serving others. I want to emulate them. Having a license would make it much more difficult to do this.

You see, the stamp is about liability, and along with that increased liability comes extremely expensive insurance. This translates to much higher fees charged to the homeowner. But the homeowner is already in essence paying for liability insurance upon entering into contract with a Class A Contractor. In residential construction the contractor bears the burden of responsibility to see to it that the home is built safely to Code (DIYers are required as “Owner/Builder” to build safely and to Code, and have to carry insurance along the way.) By dropping the license, I also dropped the duplicated liability, thus allowing me to move into that market “gap” discussed here. Stock house plan producers (most are unlicensed building designers) work under this same legal basis. Their drawings have a statement to the effect that the responsibility to meet all code and structural requirements rests with the purchaser and/or builder of their plans. Even licensed architects who produce stock plans will do the same when sending their plans to jurisdictions in which they are not licensed.

To the second part of the question, in most states and locales, no, I don't need a license. The laws are pretty clear on the matter regarding the design of single and two family dwellings. A DIYer homeowner is allowed to draft up his own house plans. It’s called being “license–exempt.” To be sure, many building inspection departments require construction drawings submitted for a building permit to convey enough information to show how the home will be built, and that the adopted building code enforced by that jurisdiction will be followed. And some jurisdictions throughout the country are requiring more information on how the structure will withstand lateral forces from wind and seismic events. This may require a structural engineer’s review and design. But generally speaking, house plans drafted by homeowners or unlicensed building designers (which is technically what I am), do not need to be “sealed” with a licensed professional’s stamp.

If I wanted to focus my work on the magazine showpiece million dollar homes, I would have kept up my license, but I really do enjoy working for folks who otherwise wouldn’t have access to superb and affordable design.

We are discussing whether to involve an architect or just search for building plans ourselves and work directly with a builder. How would your services benefit us?

I can give you four reasons to involve an experienced designer or architect, whether it’s me or someone else.

• First, we have been trained to be sensitive to the house as it sits on the site, as well as how the site informs the design of the house. As a general rule, we don’t try to force a predetermined plan to fit a site but rather try to facilitate a happy union of the two.

• Second, while there are thousands upon thousands of stock plans available, some level of modification is usually required, whether due to local code requirements, homeowner needs, local building methods, or as per the first reason, site constraints and/or possibilities. Experienced designers and architects are usually better positioned to tailor the stock plan to satisfy the needs of the homeowner.

• Third, the majority of builders lack the necessary design experience or motivation to truly custom fit a home around the needs of the homeowner. The bottom line is most often the bottom line for builders—finding the exact match of the glass slipper and the princess’s foot is often of secondary concern.

• Fourth, a designer or architect can help guide you to the right match of builder for the project, in terms of temperaments, budgets, expertise, and familiarity with particular construction methods (this last especially if you are considering alternative methods such as ICF, timber frame, log, etc.)

The relationship between architects and builders has been compared to the relationship between cats and dogs. But if you understand this dynamic it can work to great advantage for your building goals. The talented architect or designer provides the inspiration, the builder provides the realization of that inspiration—they tend to keep each other in check, similar to the checks and balances system of our government. It is for this reason that I am not a fan of the "design-build" concept, wherein you see a "concentration of powers" within the design-build company. But don't get me wrong! There are fantastic design-build companies which provide excellent services. One local company immediately comes to mind, with which I believe I have a good relationship. The problem for a homeowner in choosing the design-build route is two-fold: it lessens or eliminates your ability to obtain truly competitive bids, and eliminates the advocate for your vision you otherwise might have had through the voice of an independent designer.

Can you design a home for me in another state besides Virginia?

Yes! While most—but not all—of my work is located in Blacksburg and the surrounding environs of the New River Valley of southwest Virginia, designing for other locales is easily accomplished. Design work for new homes requires very limited travel, and my comparatively low fee structure leaves room for adding a few travel expenses such that even with those additional costs I would still remain hugely competitive wherever the home is built. And of course current available telecommunications methods help a great deal toward reducing travel expenses, and they would be especially low for design work in various parts of California, Texas, Florida, Oregon, Washington State, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania due to lodging availability with friends and family connections in those places. Finally, I have design experience and built projects, along with an understanding of regional building methods, in various areas of the country.

Do you do Green and Sustainable Design?

Yes, in the sense that I stress highly energy efficient construction and keep abreast of the main currents of Green and Sustainable design. While I have not sought out certifications such as LEED, some of my projects have met EarthCraft standards.

I built my own home in 2005 and had it on display for a local “Green Home Tour”. Did I set out saying, “I’m going to build a green home”? No, not really. My own beliefs about stewardship of the gifts and resources the Creator God has given us guided my design and construction decisions. I abhor waste and love using local materials when possible (my cabinets came from a couple Eastern White Pines on my property; my pergola from pines felled on a friend’s lot). I love a warm wood fire (burning in a high–efficiency EPA Phase II compliant fireplace) and I love living in a snug, super–insulated home (Insulated Concrete Form walls, also known as ICF).

As with most things in life, “Green” comes in a variety of shades and there are a number of influences affecting any given project. There is no one–size–fits–all solution to any building project. The motto “Build Tight, Ventilate Right” best expresses my design orientation, but I will go as deep green as you want.

It sounds like you design for alternative construction methods, yes?

Absolutely! I particularly like ICF homes and have a handful of built projects under my belt. I designed a not–so–conventional log/timber frame hybrid home I am very excited about, and I’ve designed one home with a locally–produced wall system called Builderscrete. I am happy to help you explore alternative construction methods and ideas. Contact me to discuss your ideas.

How do you pronounce “Skia” and where did that come from?

It’s a Greek word meaning “shadow” and I pronounce it “Skee–Uh,” rhyming with Mia, as in “Mamma Mia!” My inspiration for using it is based on its use in the New Testament, where the skia is a reference to both the Tabernacle and Solomon’s Temple, structures built according to a pattern (design!) shown to the Israelites by God Himself. My sense from reading the Old Testament is that these structures were incredibly beautiful and intricately crafted. Because the Designer was God, these structures were infused with a sense (or shadow) of the Eternal. And is this not how we approach our creative work, in particular our homes? We want them to have a sense of “lastingness.” Skia recognizes the Eternal in the Temporal.