FAQ

Working with an architect offers significant value, especially for those looking to elevate the quality of their mountain living experience. By leveraging professional experience and extensive training, architects solve complex structural design challenges, optimize spaces for climate and comfort, and create aesthetically pleasing and functional structures that harmonize with the natural surroundings. Architects effectively manage and streamline the entire design and construction process, which will save time, reduce costs, and minimize stress. With Altitude Architecture, you gain not just a beautifully designed home, but an investment in long-term value, sustainability, and personalized comfort. Our architects and designers bring a wealth of expertise and a unique vision to your project, ensuring that every aspect of the design aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.

At Altitude Architecture, we understand the importance of clarity when it comes to the roles involved in creating personalized custom homes. The primary difference between an architect and a designer lies in their scope of work and qualifications. An architect is a licensed professional who is trained to design buildings and oversee the construction process. Licensed architects are required to have a thorough understanding of building codes, structural integrity, sustainability, and safety regulations. They often hold degrees in architecture, have passed rigorous licensing exams, and must prove years of experience. At Altitude Architecture, our architects bring a high level of expertise to ensure that each project is not only aesthetically pleasing but also safe, functional, efficient, and exceeding minimum code standards. On the other hand, a designer may focus more on the aesthetic and functional aspects of a space, such as the interior and exterior layout, finishes, and furnishings. While designers often have a keen eye for style and a deep understanding of how to create inviting and functional spaces, they typically do not have the experience and credentials to design with safety, building performance, nor construction in mind. At Altitude Architecture, we leverage both professions to deliver comprehensive and elevated design solutions that meet the highest standards of esthetics and building performance. When looking for a qualified partner in designing and building a custom home for you, do not confuse un-licensed designers for an architect.

We can site many examples, but here are a few common ones. Details and Proportions Have you ever seen an amazing picture of a home in a magazine or website and wondered how is this so beautiful? You can't quite put your finger on any one thing, but yet the entire scene is breath taking. In all likely hood, the home was designed by an architect whom has put a great deal of time and thought into the details such as materiality, connections between materials, style, and proportion. This work goes beyond interior design and involves the entire structure. Design with Intent Uncredentialed designers and builders mimic looks and styles, but don't understand the purpose of certain architectural features and decisions. Take this window shed roof that is so popular in many designs. It is easy to assume that it is only a decorative feature, added for esthetics only; however that is incorrect. Window shading is a technique used by architects to create shade on sides of a structure that receive too much unwanted direct sunlight into the building. The size and angle of the window shade has to be calculated based on the geographic location, climate, placement of the building, and surrounding obstacles. Correctly designed, the shade will block direct sun rays for various times of the year. An architect will know how to balance esthetics with real function. Cost of Ownership In projects where architects have not been involved, the focus is mostly placed on construction costs and the style of the finished home. The design and construction details needed to ensure a building will last, will not have issues through its lifetime, and be easy to maintain are not taken into account. In contrast, architects design homes with every aspect of your experience as a home owner into account, from beauty and esthetics to maintainability and efficiency, nothing is left to minimum codes or chance. Comfort and Efficiency Most people have experienced living in a place where there are drafts, cold and hot spots that vary throughout the year. In all likelihood the home was designed by someone who did not understand residential thermodynamics and how to create comfort. Uncredentialed designers and builders will take a broad approach to meet minimum energy codes and don't understand how to design details needed for complete year round comfort in a home. An example, is how usually one type of wall and insulation is used for the entire house with no regard for how external conditions will affect the interior comfort. In contrast, architects perform many calculations to make such decisions, and are not driven by minimum code standards. In an architect driven home, different wall construction methods might be designed to address for example one wall that is under year round sun vs a wall that is under year round shade. Thermodynamic, sun, and shade modeling are performed to place attention to areas needing comfort design decisions.

A custom home by a builder typically follows a more standardized approach, using pre-designed plans that can be slightly modified to meet the client's needs. This often results in a quicker and more cost-effective solution but may lack unique design elements and attention to the specific environmental or lifestyle requirements of the homeowner. Builders also lack the training and experience to design beyond minimal building codes. In contrast, a home designed by an architect, like those created by Altitude Architecture, offers a truly bespoke experience. We specialize in elevating mountain living with luxury modern designs tailored specifically to our clients. An architect takes into consideration the site's topography, local climate, and the client's personal style and budget, resulting in a home that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also harmoniously integrated with the surrounding environment and the clients unique needs. This process involves a more detailed and collaborative approach, ensuring every aspect of the home reflects the client's vision and meets high standards of craftsmanship and sustainability.

No, we do not offer pre-made house plans. We believe that a custom home should be exactly that, and designed for your individual needs, taste, and the land it will sit on. All our design work on custom homes is truly unique and performed as a service on a client by client basis.

Yes. We are a team of Georgia licensed architects, builders, and real estate professionals. We can work with you from land acquisition, through designs and build. Because we are capable in both architecture and construction, working with us will ultimately save you money and for better results than what just builders can do.