Baltimore Architects & Surveyors
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Baltimore Architects is a tool for the homeowner in Baltimore. It features Surveyors, Residential Architects, Structural Engineers, and Landscape Architects. These professions interact and compliment the planning phase of a major renovation or addition to your home. Depending where you start, an Architect will often bring all these resources as part of his or her service, but you can get them ala cart. Baltimore Architects is here to help you turn your ideas into action.
A Surveyor defines your property boundaries from which you can define your building envelope on smaller properties or select your building site on larger properties. They then produce a drawing, called a 'plat', which is also typically required for your building permit. Discuss how you want the corners staked with your surveyor, are wooden stakes sufficient or do you want more permanent markers placed. What format do you want the drawings in and what existing structures do you want located on the plat. Lastly do you want a topographical map included for reference?
A Structural Engineer can help you define the structural integrity of an existing structure, and to help you define your options. Later when the plans are being finalized, a review by a structural engineer may be required. The function of the review is to perform all the calculations to insure the proposed building will be safe and compliant with all the applicable building codes.
An Architect will help you transfer your ideas onto paper. The Design Phase can be broken down into 4 Steps. Step 1: the architect will help you define your goals, and assign a realistic budget. Step 2: the architect draws you out to define and explore your goals. A great architect will get you to think outside of the box, explore what-ifs and introduce you to new concepts, new materials, and green energy options. This is their world and there is a lot of new technology available. Step 3: next the architect will help you prioritize your goals knowing their relative cost and your budget. Step 4: they will produce a set of drawings so that you can put the project out to bid.
The more detailed the drawings the better, but also more expensive. Initially the drawings are more conceptual giving you a feel of the relative spaces and layout. To put the project to bid you need the drawings so the bids are apples to apples. The architect can also participate in the bid phase and ultimately oversee the construction, acting as your project coordinator, overseeing the work being performed and making sure the end product is what you envisioned for your new home or addition.
Landscape Architects are specialists, who among other things are knowledgeable about the native species of plants, and how to prepare the soil for different uses, and vegetation. They bring to the outdoors what the residential architect brings to your home. They can be independent or associated with a nursery and a landscaping company.
Collectively we group these professionals under the heading Baltimore Architects. They can help you with zoning restrictions, environmental restrictions and any other Baltimore, Hartford, Carroll and Howard County government agencies that have their own individual building codes and guidelines. Your Baltimore Architects are aware of new legislation passed as well as what is grand fathered in as it pertains to your property and building a new home or restoring a pre existing structure. In some cases that may mean you can tear down all but one wall to update the structure. They have valuable resources at their disposal to assist you with the many rules that can encumber your project when you want to change or create a new home.
Baltimore Surveyors:
Gerhold, Cross & Etzel, Ltd.
320 East Towsontown Blvd., Suite 100
Towson, MD 21286
Contact: Bruce Doak
(410) 823-4470
Email: BDoak@gcelimited.com
Baltimore Residential Architects:
Penza Associates Architects
401 Woodbourne Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21212
Contact: Laura Penza
410.435.6677
David H. Gleason Associates, Inc.
520 A. North Eutaw Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Contact: David Gleason
410.728.1810
GleasonAIA@gleasonarchitects.com
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