Design & Development in California

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Design & Development in California

Corbin Jones
Architect · Burlingame, CA · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 1 vote

Hello Community! 

The intersection between architecture and real estate development is where I have spent the past three years of my life, researching and designing in an academic setting, and now I am ready to put my skills and theories to the test. 

Architecture has been my passion ever since I was a destructive young boy, and like most enthusiastic and idealistic emerging architects, there is a moment of reckoning when you discover the disconnect between how imagine architecture and the realities of the profession/industry. I remember the first time I saw a project delivery diagram, it dawned on me who really makes the decisions in the building process...the owner. So I asked myself "Well who exactly is that? Do they 'hire' the architect?", questions that changed the course of my professional outlook for good.  Over the course of two years went back and fourth from real estate lectures to design studios.  I learned that there is a fundamental disconnect between how the two groups viewed buildings.  To break it down very simply, architects see buildings as environments for people to house specific activities while real estate professionals (developers) see buildings as investments.  Well why can't they be both?

The build environment effects us all in some shape or form (no pun intended) and to approach real estate as both a design AND investment opportunity, i believe you can set yourself apart for the better.  

Architect as developer is an approach I am eager to deploy.  If anyone out there would like to connect on the topic of architectural design and real estate, please reach out!

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Dorene Mangels-Bacalhau
Interior Designer · Kearny, NJ · Member since 2016 · 37 posts · 14 votes
10y

@Corbin Jones it is so true about wearing both hats. Too many times I see a house flip back on the market with little time and money invested only looking for the big pay day. Those fast flips are obvious since they kept a crummy layout-why bother with "the lipstick on the pig" approach? It's usually shoddy workmanship with cut-corners to fool the perspective homebuyer. Those despicable investor types should be the definition of a "house-hacker". As for the hiring of professionals such as Architects and Designers...some are narcissistic and don't take their client's wishes and lifestyle into account while other times the fault is the micromanagement of the homeowner. 

I am currently witnessing the latter with my friend's addition(over 2yrs in the making). She and her husband bought at the height of the market thinking the only changes they had to tackle were dated floral wallpaper and paint colors. They completely overlooked the 7' ceilings throughout, steep shallow staircase, and minuscule master closets. They were newly married and had no children yet. The 3br/ 1.5ba/ 1-car garage on1/2acre appeared huge compared to the 1br apartment they were sharing w/2kittens. The listing boasted 'NEW' Kitchen & Bath and they were blinded by the clean white kitchen cabinets/tumbled marble backsplash and new vanity in the main bath that they didn't see how cheaply it was done. As they settled in and started expanding their family quality issues arose as did the lack of space. They had made changes outside immediately to personalize the house and  improve its curb appeal. With two growing children they had hired an architect for plans for an addition before finding out she was expecting her third. This back and forth with plans has been years; I even tried to help her putting what we discussed in floor plan & in 3D with various budget options to get her everything on her wish list most economically. She ultimately went in a completely different direction...literally-the addition is now out the side which maxed out 16' wide. It doesn't fulfill 1/2 what she was aiming for and relocated the laundry and mudroom further from convenience. By the look of the addition from the outside it doesn't seem like an architect was involved at all.  Proportions and style doesn't tie in to what's existing or enhance it. I wonder if she's still working with him and he's just trying to screw them over for dragging it out on tier pricing or did they think with the contractor could do better?

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  • Michael S.Pro Member
    Biggerpockets Support · Las Pinas, Metro Manila · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    Welcome to the BP community Corbin

    BiggerPockets
    0Reply
  • Dave VisayaPro Member
    Moderator
    Audio Engineer and Investor · Cebu City, Cebu · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 881 votes
    10y

    Hey @Corbin Jones, welcome to BiggerPockets. It's great to have you here! Let us know how we can help.

    BiggerPockets
    0Reply
  • Corbin Jones
    OP
    Architect · Burlingame, CA · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    10y

    Thanks for the welcome fellows! 

    0Reply
  • Dorene Mangels-Bacalhau
    Interior Designer · Kearny, NJ · Member since 2016 · 37 posts · 14 votes
    10y

    @Corbin Jones it is so true about wearing both hats. Too many times I see a house flip back on the market with little time and money invested only looking for the big pay day. Those fast flips are obvious since they kept a crummy layout-why bother with "the lipstick on the pig" approach? It's usually shoddy workmanship with cut-corners to fool the perspective homebuyer. Those despicable investor types should be the definition of a "house-hacker". As for the hiring of professionals such as Architects and Designers...some are narcissistic and don't take their client's wishes and lifestyle into account while other times the fault is the micromanagement of the homeowner. 

    I am currently witnessing the latter with my friend's addition(over 2yrs in the making). She and her husband bought at the height of the market thinking the only changes they had to tackle were dated floral wallpaper and paint colors. They completely overlooked the 7' ceilings throughout, steep shallow staircase, and minuscule master closets. They were newly married and had no children yet. The 3br/ 1.5ba/ 1-car garage on1/2acre appeared huge compared to the 1br apartment they were sharing w/2kittens. The listing boasted 'NEW' Kitchen & Bath and they were blinded by the clean white kitchen cabinets/tumbled marble backsplash and new vanity in the main bath that they didn't see how cheaply it was done. As they settled in and started expanding their family quality issues arose as did the lack of space. They had made changes outside immediately to personalize the house and  improve its curb appeal. With two growing children they had hired an architect for plans for an addition before finding out she was expecting her third. This back and forth with plans has been years; I even tried to help her putting what we discussed in floor plan & in 3D with various budget options to get her everything on her wish list most economically. She ultimately went in a completely different direction...literally-the addition is now out the side which maxed out 16' wide. It doesn't fulfill 1/2 what she was aiming for and relocated the laundry and mudroom further from convenience. By the look of the addition from the outside it doesn't seem like an architect was involved at all.  Proportions and style doesn't tie in to what's existing or enhance it. I wonder if she's still working with him and he's just trying to screw them over for dragging it out on tier pricing or did they think with the contractor could do better?

    1Reply
  • Corbin Jones
    OP
    Architect · Burlingame, CA · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    10y

    Ahhh I have heard enough to understand this segmented thinking can be a problem, but its still nice to get some additional validation. This is an insightful story and captures something that every designer or real estate professional should consider when approaching spaces in buildings they intend to hold for the long term...flexibility!  I have seen a lot of really great custom designs that make great use of space for a particular user. Look at dwellings in Japan for great examples.  The compact nature of the city makes every cm valuable and potentially multi functional. However utilitarian the spaces, it is rare for buildings to be renovated and retrofitted in Japan, or so I read in an article in the blog i linked above. There is a great book about this topic by Stewart Brand called "How Buildings Learn" that I highly suggest. 

    I like the term "house hacker". I'm going to start using that.  If they can find a way to align incentive, like a bonus for finishing in a certain time frame, they could create a mechanism to get what they need from this architect.  Ick it's never a good feeling to be felt taken advantage of. Let me know how this resolves! 

    Thanks for the post too :)

    0Reply
  • Joe Bertolino
    Investor · El Dorado Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y
    The good news for you is that you reside in an area where people can and will pay a premium for high level design and construction.
    0Reply
  • Dorene Mangels-Bacalhau
    Interior Designer · Kearny, NJ · Member since 2016 · 37 posts · 14 votes
    10y

    @Corbin Jones I will check that book out, thanks for the recommendation. Just to set the record straight here on BP the term House-hacker refers to a multi-family residence where you live in 1 unit for low or no rent because your tenants rent is coving expenses. Perhaps the too good to be true-questionable flip could be considered a Mirage.

    0Reply
  • Zander Eng
    Architect/Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2016 · 8 posts · 4 votes
    10y

    @Corbin Jones, I'm just getting started on here as well and agree that the architect as developer model has a lot of potential. Having worked on each of the three sides (owner/developer, builder, and architect/designer), there can often be a disconnect due to competing priorities. Those that have had success with some iteration of the design/build/develop model have really leveraged their skills via sweat equity. Plus, it is important to understand where good design can positively affect your ROI.

    Burlingame is an interesting location for growth with its easy access to regional public transit. As more areas along the Peninsula start to embrace transit oriented development, there should be some opportunities for investment. 

    1Reply
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