Architect-designed houses

Looking for a home that meets your desires and your needs? Choosing to build an architect-designed house means the possibility of living in a unique place, with an exclusive design.

What are the features of a designer house? What are the differences with a “standard” house?

An architect-designed house is designed by an architect, who has imagined it according to the needs, tastes, lifestyle and budget of its future owner. A designer house is unique.

Its specific volumes, personalized layouts, and aesthetics choices, everything is designed to meet the customer’s aspirations. As for the style, from traditional to contemporary, it can be infinitely declined depending on the materials and finishes chosen.

A living place in harmony with its residents and its environment

The architect also deals with the location, the land, the existing vegetation, the neighboring buildings, in order to benefit from it (natural light, volumes), limit energy losses and design an energy-efficient house. Trained in the latest technical and legislative developments, the architect chooses innovative materials, and respects the construction standards in force.

Whether you want to build or improve an existing house or apartment, the architect will make the best of it.

To find the architect who will be able to meet your expectations, do not hesitate to ask him/her for references of sites which look like the one you wish to entrust to him/her.

At STONE & WOOD, we love the work of HÜ ARCHITECTÜRE, architectural firm based in Annecy and active in Haute-Savoie. In order to learn more about architect-designed houses, we interviewed Stanislas CLAUDE, architect.

INTERVIEW – Stanislas CLAUDE from HÜ ARCHITECTÜRE

What are the missions of an architect?

“The architect brings creativity and expertise to materialize ideas. For the construction of a new house, the architect starts from scratch, everything must be created. The discovery phase with the client is very important, it is the key stage of the project that will define the characteristics of the future house, a “tailor-made” houses.
 
At Hü Architectüre, the response to an order is often determined by the client’s lifestyle, defined during this discovery phase: Does he like living outdoor? Open kitchen or not? What place should be given to the stairs, should there be integrated furniture elements? etc … many criteria to be taken into account which will make it possible to specify the functions of each room and respond to it with volumes, spaces, etc. Aesthetics will emerge from the form and the functionality, it is the final touch that will give harmony to the project.

The architect can work on a partial or full assignment. In partial mission, he / she will be responsible for designing the plans necessary for the building permit. The client is then free to choose his prime contractor. As for the complete mission, support is provided throughout the project, from design to delivery of the house. The architect is responsible for project management and guarantees the proper execution of the work within the allotted time.

In our cabinet, both solutions are offered. Nevertheless, the complete mission will be advised for a result in accordance with the project. The plans of the house made for the building permit are not sufficient for the construction phase and the project supervising is often complex and very time-consuming. Choosing the full mission saves time and energy.”

How much will a designer house cost compared to a standard house?

“At equivalent cost, the living space of ​​an architect-designed house will not be equal to a standard house, the difference being even more important for small properties. But in a designer house, the volumes are cleverly and creatively optimized, dead spaces removed and used to install storage, a shelf, an office area. Each surface has its uses, the project is thought out down to the smallest detail. An architect-designed house of 80 sqm will give the effect of 110 sqm by the distribution of free spaces in favor of important rooms.

At Hü Architectüre, the control of the client’s budget is also an important point. We balance the expenditures in order to contain any unforeseen events. This is entirely part of the role of the architect, and this is also why this professional can ultimately save money on the construction site.

The architect’s fees range between 10 and 15% of the total amount excluding tax of the cost work, which depends on the complexity of the project, the materials used as well as the finishes and the equipment chosen.

On resale, the exclusive character of the house can generate gains on the condition that originality doesn’t mean too much eccentricity. “

Can you tell us more about HÜ ARCHITECTÜRE?

“The agency is very young. Hü Architectüre was created in January 2021 but formalizes an informal association established several years ago between Thomas Tournoux, interior designer and myself, Stanislas Claude, independent architect for more than 10 years.
 
For each new request, we work together in order to have a complete vision of the project.
 
We like to redesign and rehabilitate existing projects: to give style to houses that appear outdated, without apparent character. Transform a fairly standard house from the 1980s and 1990s into a unique property. It appears that the possibilities are often numerous at a lower cost.
 
The challenge is then to find the potential of a house or an apartment whose qualities are not apparent, to give the best of it, to change the interior design for pleasant rooms, to work on its appearance to gain in aesthetics, and to give style. In fact, the only point that cannot be changed on an existing property: its location, otherwise, everything is possible.”