Design Process
How to find a good architect?
In our country, it seems unbelievable that with the number of architects per inhabitant (Spain is one of the countries with the highest number of architects per capita in the world), it is so difficult to find a good architect—one you can trust and who can turn your ideas into an affordable, efficient, and healthy home design.
To find an architect, it is important to think first about what kind of house you want.
As you know, we always encourage you to choose an eco-friendly and healthy build—two essential factors nowadays.
How to find an eco-friendly architect?
#1 Online search
Assuming what you are looking for is an architect who will design a house to your taste and, moreover, make it eco-friendly, the first source of information would be online. Through the web, you can research both recent projects and any publications or articles produced by your future architect.
You will need to check their commitment to sustainability through their publications. However, although this is a good starting point, reviewing their website may not be enough, as you will need additional references.
#2 Search by completed projects
Sometimes, finding an architect can be as simple as seeing a recently built building that interests you and looking up information about the architect.
For example, if you stay in an eco-hotel, or if you learn that a new centre built to eco criteria has opened, you can find out who the architect is and contact them. Keep in mind that some architects work only on large projects and turn down residential builds due to the amount of work involved compared to the profit.
#3 Search in architecture publications
Both books and magazines on sustainable architecture are full of references to eco-friendly architects. However, you should be careful of so-called “greenwashing”—the “green” spin many architects put on buildings with questionable ecological credentials, which they sell as sustainable simply by adding a couple of solar panels.
A reliable publication with strong sustainability credentials is the specialist bioconstruction magazine Ecohabitar. In it, you will find hundreds of features and references to sustainable architects worldwide.
As for books, it is a good idea to consult those related to the type of home you want to build. For example, if you are considering a straw-bale house or a passive house, you can look for specialised publications that are likely written by, and refer to, leading architects in the sector.
#4 Search through recommendations from friends and family
Finally, the go-to approach—although it is often no guarantee that your architect will be eco-friendly—is to contact friends or family who have been through the same process, to see which architect they worked with and what the process was like. However, we recommend that you compare options before choosing a professional, to make sure your home is delivered by an eco-friendly architect.
Important!
It is highly advisable to visit at least 3 architects before selecting one, visit the property with them (land or existing home) to assess their impressions, and request a fee quote based on your requirements so you can compare.
Still don’t have an architect?
We invite you to visit the page of our architecture studio, where we work as a team building eco-friendly homes.
You can also contact us with any questions or queries about your architect or about the project you have in mind, and we will be happy to help.