Most states do not have maximum square footage limitations on custom home designs, stock house plans, plan book houses or home plans. Unfortunately, I live in N.Y.S., and they will not allow me to sell plans over 1500 sq. ft. The NYS education department is quite rude actually. Don't get me wrong, NY has its good points too, just not when it comes to some of their quirky laws.
Therefore, I have turned over all my home plans that are over 1500 sq. ft. to a nice lady in Colorado. She, unlike I, lives in a great State with logical laws. If you plan to build in New York State and want a home that is over 1500 square feet, please contact me directly, and I will provide exceptional alternatives.
If you are looking for a beautifully designed, carefully thought out, natural, green home plan that is 1500 square feet and under to be built in NYS, I am happy to help! Current law is for living space only. Square footage limitations do not include garage or basement areas. I can work seamlessly with you and your contractor if you live out of state as well. I am always looking for a reason to get out of here, especially if my adventures are taking me south. :)
If you live in a state such as North Carolina or Virgina, We can design your home without square foot limitations. Michigan, for example, has a limit of 3500 square feet. If you have a question about your state law, please let me know where you live, and I will happily look into it for my own knowledge. Let me be clear, I am not an Architect or a Lawyer. I am currently finishing college with over 12 years logged working directly under various Architects. I feel there should be different levels of requirements for residential designers. Maybe a certification to show that you're honest, and you know your stuff. A "residential only" seal. I have no interest in designing Skyscrapers, Bridges, Shopping malls or Schools. I strongly feel that Architects and structural engineers that do should have multiple review requirements.
I have seen work from some Architects that should never have been given a license to practice! It scares me that they could take on a project with so many lives at stake. Although there are millions of home design elements, what it boils down to is safety, sustainability, environment, energy and health.
I have spent over 15 years designing quality, logical, natural homes that are energy efficient and material, friendly and low in waste. Unlike many Registered Architects, my focus is directly on home plans and house design. I do not get side tracked on larger commercial projects. To be honest, I just do not enjoy them. Don't take me wrong, I am not attacking Registered Architects. I am, however, venting about some of the current laws and miss-conceptions A lot of registered architects like to slam home designers on the web. I personally don't like to use scare tactics or pass judgment on people I do not know. To each their own.
Having been on both sides of the spectrum, Registered Architects have asked me for help, and I have had a great deal of guidance from the like. My most respected mentor at New Eneregy Works was not a Registered Architect. He was a "home designer", like me.
I end my rant with this, let previous work and ones business reputation hold more weight than a title.
Wade Fox, AIBD
www.foxdesignstudio.com
Therefore, I have turned over all my home plans that are over 1500 sq. ft. to a nice lady in Colorado. She, unlike I, lives in a great State with logical laws. If you plan to build in New York State and want a home that is over 1500 square feet, please contact me directly, and I will provide exceptional alternatives.
If you are looking for a beautifully designed, carefully thought out, natural, green home plan that is 1500 square feet and under to be built in NYS, I am happy to help! Current law is for living space only. Square footage limitations do not include garage or basement areas. I can work seamlessly with you and your contractor if you live out of state as well. I am always looking for a reason to get out of here, especially if my adventures are taking me south. :)
If you live in a state such as North Carolina or Virgina, We can design your home without square foot limitations. Michigan, for example, has a limit of 3500 square feet. If you have a question about your state law, please let me know where you live, and I will happily look into it for my own knowledge. Let me be clear, I am not an Architect or a Lawyer. I am currently finishing college with over 12 years logged working directly under various Architects. I feel there should be different levels of requirements for residential designers. Maybe a certification to show that you're honest, and you know your stuff. A "residential only" seal. I have no interest in designing Skyscrapers, Bridges, Shopping malls or Schools. I strongly feel that Architects and structural engineers that do should have multiple review requirements.
I have seen work from some Architects that should never have been given a license to practice! It scares me that they could take on a project with so many lives at stake. Although there are millions of home design elements, what it boils down to is safety, sustainability, environment, energy and health.
I have spent over 15 years designing quality, logical, natural homes that are energy efficient and material, friendly and low in waste. Unlike many Registered Architects, my focus is directly on home plans and house design. I do not get side tracked on larger commercial projects. To be honest, I just do not enjoy them. Don't take me wrong, I am not attacking Registered Architects. I am, however, venting about some of the current laws and miss-conceptions A lot of registered architects like to slam home designers on the web. I personally don't like to use scare tactics or pass judgment on people I do not know. To each their own.
Having been on both sides of the spectrum, Registered Architects have asked me for help, and I have had a great deal of guidance from the like. My most respected mentor at New Eneregy Works was not a Registered Architect. He was a "home designer", like me.
I end my rant with this, let previous work and ones business reputation hold more weight than a title.
Wade Fox, AIBD
www.foxdesignstudio.com
3 comments:
...and let those who work so hard for their education, their licenses, the rigorous state required experience requirements and their continuing education requirements be the ones to stamp home plans...yes even homes. If I didn't have to spend all of my time taking exams and passing requirements, I too would love to spend all of my time learning how to design better homes. Unfortunately, some of us choose to meet the requirements necessary. Designers are excellent people, but I don't feel they should take projects away from licensed architects who have worked so hard to achieve what they legally and rightfully obtained.
All too often, the person who attempts to make a bold statement is the same person who wishes to remain anonymous...
To bring you up to speed, I too am finishing my education and experience requirements. 15 years and counting. I go to college full time, raise two children and pay my taxes. I also maintain continuing education requirements. As we both know, the continuing education requirements are far from difficult, but that is not the point I need to make here.
There are some great Architects in the world that I would give my left arm to learn from. Architects who love what they do. I'm not out to offend Architects. You worked hard for that stamp, and I respect you for it. I am simply tired of the few Registered Architects here in NYS spending most of their down time, online, complaining about designers. Why not harness this time to improve your website or start your own line of homes? Be productive, and do what was once in your life considered fun, design. People looking for a qualified home designer or Architect does not care about your belly-aching'. If they are looking for that, they can have you! They are not going to see your anonymous "poor me" posts and say "awe... let's hire the poor whine ass!"
Your comment, "be the ones to stamp home plans...yes even homes" is vaguely stated to try and mislead people into believing that all homes need to be stamped. This is not true. In NY the maximum is 1500 square feet. In almost every other state, the limit is 3500 sq. ft. or more. Furthermore, when I feel I have worked on a project that needs a closer look, I hire a structural engineer to review the plans. Not for my personal gain or NYS, but for the safety of my clients. I once worked for an architect who flew by the seat of his pants, I dont know how he sleeps at night. It is safe to say that someone will likely be hurt or killed in one of his commercial projects. Which was the exact reason I quit working for him and do not plan on reporting time beneath him as experience. Well, maybe if they create a column for time spent learning what NOT to do.
You, at one point were a designer. There are good designers and bad designers. That being said, there are good Architects and bad Architects. NYS law tells me that a designer can prepare home plans up to 1500 square feet. I am going to continue to do so until I am licensed. And then, one day, I will "steal" your big jobs too. :) To get this out of the way, I am not going anywhere. No matter how many times you hide behind your spineless, and yet again, anonymous reports to the Education Department. You can continue to bad mouth me and my fellow designers online all you wish. We are here to stay.
I think it is sad you feel we are "stealing" your work. I am working just as hard as you did to become licensed. My only guess is that I work harder running the business end. I have been turned into the education department twice by spiteful "Architects". I take this as a compliment. This reassures me that I am doing something right, if my work and online presence intimidates some of you. If you don't want to put the same heart and effort in your projects that we (designers) do, you are no more of an Architect than the people you bash online. Customers like my work and I have jobs on my desk because I go get them! I am not going to be bullied by the crybabies that will not find their own work and refer to designers as "thieves".
Why should designers allow people who were once in our shoes bully us online? Is this your feable attempt to gain credibility while trying to stomp our credibility in the mud? I say again, let our work, help the client decide. When was this profession all about money? If you are in this business for the money, any good Architect or Designer should have told you that you are in the wrong business... I am in this business because I love what I do. This pride is reflected in my work, and I go miles to please my clients. I focus on good home design that is safe, exceeds code and is environmentally conscious. I eagerly anticipated your post. Thank you for the chance to debate and speak my mind. I invite you to continue the discussion. Now, back to the drawing board... ;)
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