Custom Residential Architect

Sun Design Remodeling Specialists of Northern Va. Names First In-House ...

For four years before joining Sun Design – and for 14 years earlier in his career -- Simmonds ran Architectural Design Studio, his own design-build company specializing in high-end custom homes and remodeling projects.  Prior to that, he was Director of Architecture for the Landover Mid-Atlantic Group for , Director of Sales and Design, said, "As the company enjoys a continuing growth and success, we're very excited to put Rick's excellent talents and experience to work for our clients.  He joins a team of highly skilled and customer-service-oriented people who are poised to take Sun Design to the next level."  

About Sun Design

Sun Design, celebrating its 23rd year, has been the recipient of dozens of industry awards.  Each year, Sun Design shows off its work during a series of home tours and other special events.  For more information, visit the "Events" page at www.sundesigninc.com or call 703-425-5588.

Ownership of Your Custom House Starts Here Exclusive Home Design

Ownership of your own custom house starts here, with the design architect.  This is what Rand Soellner Architect does.  The General Contractor will be the one who puts a price on it and he is also the one who builds it.  Your custom residential architect is the one who creates the design upon which they build.

Most people have never worked with an architect before.  Your architect is the one who listens to you, notes what you want, studies your site situation, then creates the design.  The custom design is a creation in the mind of your architect.  The architect expresses this design in various drawings, normally consisting of Site Plans, Floor Plans, exterior Elevations, Building Section, Wall Sections, Details, Finish Schedule, Door Schedule, Specifications and possibly other documents, depending on your arrangement with your architect.

If you wish, your Architect can also create your Electrical Plans, Cabinetry Elevations, Interior Elevations and also create specialty drawings depicting specialized areas that you might want your architect to design for you, such as pools, statuary, furniture, concept plantings and sitework hardscaping, roadway layouts, parking areas, Master Planning of various site features, phased improvements and other items.  When you pay your architect hourly, anything you want, including unlimited changes are welcome, anytime.  When you want a fixed price for the architects work, this means there will need to be a fixed scope of work.  A scope of work is a listing of the specific tasks the professional will perform for you: no more, no less.  This can all be negotiated with your architect.  Many people choose to go hourly, as this allows you to change your mind and have the architects work modify as you go along, to suit your wishes.  This is a flexible situation that works well: your architect is only paid for what he does.

Now, lets get back to Ownership of your house.  If you want a Custom House, someone has to design it for you.  There is only one licensed, professional practice that is educated, trained, experienced and licensed to design buildings and houses: architects.  Thats it.  No one else is licensed to perform these tasks.

What does the phrase: Your Custom House mean?  Lets start with what it does Not mean:  It does Not mean buying someone elses already built residence.  That is Not custom for you.  That would be buying someone elses dreams, not yours.  They will not have incorporated all the things that make you unique and who you are and who you want to be.  Like your husbands billiard room, or your sewing nook, or your larger than normal open plan kitchen with large island where your kids and their kids can gather while you prepare Thanksgiving dinner, or the 3rd or 4th bay in the garage you have always wanted for your stained glass studio, or the extra bunk room for the grandkids, or : ____________   .  You may be starting to understand why you wont find exactly that right house that fits you to a T.

Addison Hutton: Quaker architect, 1834-1916

Leading Residential Architects

Cincinnati Magazine

Leading Residential Architects

Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction