Building Cost + How It Impacts Design (An Architect's Guide) | Architecture Short Course (Part 3)

Building cost has a direct impact on our design and it's one of the most basic and obvious concerns for architects and clients. In this video I'll show you how I use it as a creative constraint that informs our building design.

Building cost is divided into two general categories: soft and hard costs. Soft costs are the indirect cost of design: architectural fees, consultant fees, permitting, financing, and legal fees. Hard costs are all the cost directly attributed to the construction of the physical building.

Early on in the design process we know little about the building and so we use square footage as a means for estimating the building's cost to construct. But square footage alone won't provide all the information we need to properly describe the cost of a structure, some spaces cost more to build than others. Factoring the square footage provides an added level of precision and allows clients and architects to better plan how design affects the overall budget.

Planning for unforeseeable conditions is important as well and I describe how much of a contingency to add to the project at each phase of the work.

Cost considerations are crucial to realizing both our client's project and our vision for the work in the world and this video shares the framework I use to get there.

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[Somewhere-In-AZ]

I'm not an architect, but I need plans for a house I want to build. I've been watching all your videos so I can know how this is done. I'm so grateful for this knowledge. Sitting down with a professional and my crazy first sketches was fun. She asked me so many questions! I had photos of the site, which slopes, the views I wanted preserved, the things I want blocked. She was impressed. I saw how excited she was with my ideas and that's when I knew I was hiring the right person. The first guy I talked to didn't like that I wanted to preserve as much of the topography as possible. He wanted to bulldoze it flat to force the site to fit the structure. Saguaros don't grow overnight, they are hundreds of years old. 🌵

[ErinStetzerHomes]

This is a wonderful resource. Building techniques absolutely vary and you're so right about your comments surrounding the budgeting process!

[oriphinz]

Hello, I’m looking at building a house and I came across your videos researching. Just wanted to say thank you! Your videos are super informative and your presentation style shows how much effort you put into these. Really nice!

[TheTerryJo]

FABULOUS. The knowledge you give, relaying it in a humble and thoughtful way, is a joy to listen to and a resource I will refer back to over and over as we look to build a lake house. Thank you so much.

[creonsdesign]

You are good at explaining the business and profession of architecture without providing us with unnecessary information. keep up the good work.

[nikkiola]

You are a true inspiration, thank you for your job. I hope to start my own firm one day and to become a good, passionate Architect like you. Thank you

[ifoundgrace]

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[ajduo]

I feel the need of watching ALL of your videos! Thanks so much!

[jaredcapp]

I wish all clients, builders and architects could watch this video. Great content, great presentation. I'm an alternative builder in the Black Hills of SD, I specialize in natural building with reclaimed materials, Strawbale, shipping container, tree houses etc. The budget is always the hardest part of my job. Thanks for putting this info out there. Cheers

[MarcoDollenz]

Amazing, I've just watched a few of your videos and am in the process of hiring an architect to restore and expand a home here in Spain, I'm grateful for your efforts!

[davidcordero]

I really wish you had more subscribers, your dedication and work on the channel is quite good, few architecture channels discuss the topics as you

[robthewaywardwoodworker]

Not sure how I missed this one Eric. Great insights. I wish more home buyers would watch this! Ha (dreams of a child). Thanks as always for your efforts and consideration with your videos. This sort of thing is priceless and invaluable.

[Sexyboricuamejicana]

Just found your channel and as a non archyectoial person with a project and design in mind I am grateful for a the knowledge already saved a few videos to watch to educate myself and hubby on our vission design.

[radukapu]

Awesome video again! I do interior renovations from small to medium size projects. It’s so nice feeling to hear do things in very similar way that you do. Really appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge. 👍🏻

[jamiecarter]

you are so kind to share your hard earned education with us :) thank you! i'm a daughter of a lifetime homebuilder :) i'm about to build my dream home, long house dog trot, i'm so excited! thank you for being the voice of my father in this process :)

[flippindesign]

I’ve built/designed every home I lived in and started at the age of 17 with my parents house. Had I known about your channel in the earlier years of my building ventures I could have avoided a lot of messy situations. Still I am happy to have discovered your channel! Thank you for the information.

[blasisiagiri]

Such an essential piece of knowledge for young architects in the making. Great Video!!!

[hhhh]

Sir, that was an awesome tutorial. Although I am not an Architect I will use some of the things I learned from you in this video. Thank you so much! Cheers

[samuelhara]

You are so generous and eloquent with giving precise information. I am so grateful for that. Thank you Sir🙏

[souvikchakraborty]

You r really great. Every time i see your videos it gives me new inspiration.