Totally get what you’re saying about the balance. I’ve seen folks go all-in on technical skills, and yeah, the house is functional but feels generic. On the other hand, I once worked with a designer who had wild ideas—looked great on paper, but half of it didn’t fit the budget or local codes. What’s worked best for my clients:
- Portfolio matters, but check if their past projects actually got built (not just pretty pictures).
- Ask how they handle real-world constraints—budget, timelines, city rules.
- Look for someone who listens. The best designs usually come from back-and-forth, not just one person’s vision.
It’s a weird mix of art and logistics... but when it clicks, you can tell.
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
That “weird mix of art and logistics” is exactly what makes this whole process so tricky, right? I’ve noticed a lot of folks get caught up in the aesthetics or the technical chops, but not enough people ask about sustainability or long-term efficiency. I’m always curious—when you’re looking at portfolios or talking to potential designers, do you ever bring up stuff like energy efficiency, material sourcing, or how they handle things like passive solar or water conservation?
I’ve had a couple of friends who loved their architect’s vision, but then found out later that the design didn’t really account for their climate or energy bills. One even had to redo a bunch of stuff because the windows were all wrong for the sun exposure. It’s wild how much that can impact comfort and costs down the line.
I get that not everyone’s looking for a “green” house, but with all the new codes and rebates out there, it seems like it’s worth at least asking. Sometimes I wonder if people are hesitant to bring it up because they think it’ll limit their options or blow up the budget. But in my experience, the designers who are open to those conversations tend to be better listeners overall.
Curious if anyone else has run into that—like, have you ever had a designer who was really into sustainable stuff, or did you have to push for it? Or maybe you found someone who just didn’t care about that side at all?
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think the whole “sustainability” thing can get a bit overhyped sometimes—at least in the way people talk about it versus what actually gets built. Not saying it’s not important, but I’ve seen clients get so focused on the buzzwords (passive solar, reclaimed wood, net-zero, etc) that they forget about basic stuff like how they actually want to live in the space. Sometimes the greenest solution isn’t the fanciest or most expensive one, it’s just thoughtful design for your climate and lifestyle. I’ve had folks push for all sorts of “eco” features that ended up being a headache or didn’t really fit their needs. There’s a balance, and honestly, not every designer who talks about sustainability actually delivers on it in a practical way. Just my two cents.
I totally get what you mean about sustainability buzzwords getting tossed around. When we built our place a few years back, I got really caught up in all the “green” features—solar panels, rainwater catchment, the whole nine yards. In hindsight, some of it made sense for us, but a few things just didn’t fit our daily routine and ended up being more hassle than help. What really mattered was finding someone who listened to how we wanted to live, not just what was trendy. It’s easy to get swept up in the hype, but practicality wins out in the long run.
What really mattered was finding someone who listened to how we wanted to live, not just what was trendy.
Totally agree with this. I got sucked into the “eco” trend too—spent way too much on a fancy composting setup that honestly just sat there. If I could do it over, I’d focus way more on stuff that fits my actual habits and budget. Trends come and go, but living comfortably (without breaking the bank) sticks around.
