Why architecture blueprints are proven to be necessary

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POSTED

July 22, 2020
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CATEGORY

Architect Coach
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AUTHOR

Jerel McCants

Why are architecture blueprints important?

 

For centuries, about 12,000 year ago, people from every walk of life have contributed to man-made structures as a lasting landmark upon the land. Those structures came in many different forms and were primarily for shelter with the advent of agrarian societies and later usually dedicated to a higher authority. One step in creating these testimonies to manโ€™s understanding of the environment is starting with a Plan. The earliest construction plans were created on papyrus by Royal Master Builders in Egypt when planning pyramid building and other mega structures. This technical knowledge of building materials and visionary ideas continued through each great civilization. Every great idea begins with a plan, therefore blueprints matter.

What is a blueprint? The term blueprint was widely used in mid-late 1800โ€™s to produce rapid and accurate copies of drawings for the design and construction industry. In the 1940โ€™s whiteprints, or bluelines on white paper become the method of choice for Architects until the common day xerox copy technology was invented in the 1970โ€™s using toner and bond paper. Modern practices also incorporate the use of digital prints through a portable document format or PDF. The term โ€œBlueprintโ€ is now interchangeable with many formats for drawing reproductions.

 

Enter the Architect

Once a projectย begins, whether it be a residential addition or a new commercial development, plans are required to bring any project into existence. This is where the Architect, or dream maker, works their creative and technical mind along with incorporating the clients wishes and desires onto a blank sheet of paper.

Every projectย at McCants Architectureย is a new and distinctive creation that is born out of inspiration to manifest into a workable plan. In most cases, clients have an idea or list of what they want but once we present our solutions to respond to their list, the light comes on above their heads and they being to see the possibilities that can make their project more concrete – No pun intended.

 

Why can’t I save a buck or two?

I have encountered a common concern from clients because they had no clue that blueprints can be expensive. One responsive I give is that Architects provide a service that brings together ideas and transforms them into a plan that can be interpreted by a competent contractor. This design process is part organic and part educational. We utilize learned practices that have transcended through time to communicate visual ideas into a workable form โ€“ while using building materials within the marketplace.

It is a long road to becoming a licensed architect which requires a lengthy educational program, internships, and a series of test to get your license. The Architect must also carry liability insurance on every project to guarantee that you are protected from receiving substandard plans which can be a significant expense.

We have seen the plans from people who wanted to save a buck, and the results have not been good.โ€ฏ The value option might deliver less than adequate methods, which will cost the contractor time and money in the field. This will ultimately affect the quality of work, time lost due to adjustments on site, and increased budget from purchasing additional supplies and materials and labor overages. Not to mention, the architectโ€™s time to make adjustments.

 

architecture blueprints

 

Architecture blueprints are an investment worth making

On average, depending on the project’s complexity, the Architect’s fee is 5% – 10% of the cost of construction for a typical project. This percentage can amount to the cost to fabricate and install kitchen cabinets, or the finished flooring. Think of this cost as a necessity to be included in building a new home or commercial building.

A detailed set of blueprints are a small price to pay for an important financial investment and will ensure your contribution to society will be lasting.

 

It is not me it’s you

Well executed and meticulously designed plans can be hard for some people to conceptualize in their mind’s eye. If so,ย weย incorporate 3D renderings as an additional aid to help communicate the Client’s wishes reflected in graphical form.

But ensuring that the Client understands the intent and outcome of the project is most important and not getting lost in the details. This is where the plans take on a different meaning, becoming a road map from A to Z. Meaning that as long as the Client trusts ourย direction,ย approves theย estimated budget andย coordinatesย with the contractor to maintain quality and timeline – the finished product will meet, if not exceed the Client’s expectations.

 

The above image is rendering from our portfolio of architecture projects โ€” feel free to check them out to see more!

 

In Conclusion โ€” Projects need a good plan to be successfulย 

Construction plans or โ€˜Blueprintsโ€ have been around a long timeย and have kept up with modernizationย thus proving its critical need in the design and construction industry.ย From the first hunter-gatherers, temple buildersย to skyscrapers, planning before doing has beenย at the core.

Therefore, when undergoing a large financial investment into a Church, office building, family residence, private business and even aย car wash, a good plan makes a difference. Plans resolve items thatย can beย overlooked if not properly coordinatedย during construction. Aย good architect andย the right set of plans willย save you money byย employing best practicesย when thinking aboutย energy efficiency, land orientation andย maximizingย the space within your building.

Construction projectsย canย suffer due to a lack ofย planning andย vision, a competent architectย makes theย plan and theย vision plain.

Eduardo Olarte

Project Manager

Mr. Olarte is a native of Colombia and has over 16 years of experience in interior design, architecture, light design, project management and client relations in his home country and the United States. He exhibits a strong ability to create unique and innovative spaces while looking to understand specific client needs. He is also highly skilled in many drafting and rendering software including motion graphics. Photography is another passion and ability to his skill set.

Eric Del Monte

Project Manager

Eric is a native of Miami, Florida and is a graduate of Miami Dade College and the University of South Florida with a Masters in Architecture. He contributes his knowledge in Revit, CADD, Lumion, Twin Motion and other 3D modeling software. Fluent in Spanish and English to provide services to a greater public to meet outreach goals to our community.

Terry Miller

Construction Administrator

Mr. Terry T. Miller brings over 34 years in architecture and construction, that ranged from project designer to project architect within architectural firms in the Tampa Bay area. His work experience includes all phases, from project inception through project completion and close-out. His extensive previous experience in the construction industry has proven to be invaluable in understanding the architectural and construction process in delivering the built environment.

Terryโ€™s main area of responsibility within the firm is in management/oversight which includes: Coordination and directing practice efforts in design, technical specifications and construction administration. He provides his extensive experience and skill set in the solution and problem solving skills of what it takes to deliver the built environment in an efficient, value-added, and pragmatic manner.

Manuel Alvarino

Project Manager II

Mr. Manuel is a native of Cuba and has lived in the United States for over 10 years. He has worked as an intern while in Cuba before coming to the U.S. to further his education. Currently, he is enrolled in Architectural Studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Manuel has an extensive range of experience in commercial renovation and residential. He has a multitude of experience in computer rendering and modeling with an advanced knowledge of multiple graphic software platforms. His abilities has added an extra dimension to our office environment.

Safoura Kazemilari

Project Manager I

Safoura has ten years of experience working for the City of Shiraz, Iran as the Urban Beautification Department Head. While at this position she lead multi-disciplinary professionals to produce federally funded projects throughout the City. Once is the United States, she carried her knowledge to various firms providing public/ private design and coordination services. We are excited to have her unquie skill set contribute to our expanding client base.

Ada Padilla

Office Administrator

Ada has over 30 yearsโ€™ experience in office management/ administration and human resources and has a degree in accounting. Her responsibilities have covered areas of business operations regarding payroll, bookkeeping, account reconciliation, customer services and vendor relations.

She has worked for various companies in the design and construction fields which has proven to be a valuable skill set when working with industry professionals. Her management of staff and involvement in day-to-day tasks improve our proficiency and response to better serve our clients and consultants.

Adaโ€™s expanded responsibilities covers contract agreements, business development and outreach in the community to promote the firmโ€™s vision and mission statement to enhance our impact into the greater Tampa Bay area and beyond.

Jerel McCants AIA, LEED Green Assoc.

Principal-In-Charge

Mr. Jerel McCants established Jerel McCants Architecture, Inc. in 2009. Mr. McCants has experience in many building types including Municipal, Educational, High-rise condominiums, Cultural and Residential.

Mr. McCants mission is to contribute to innovative architectural design and construction methods to residential and commercial markets as a Managing Principal based on his ability to direct staff members and communicate effectively with clients and contractors.

Mr. McCants believes that design is an action that is expressed: an act of many different disciplines uniting in a common cause which he terms โ€œResponsive Architectureโ€. His mix of small, medium and large (S,M,L) projects has allowed him to maintain a steady firm standing and consistent viability in the global marketplace.