House Addition Plans In The Real World: Getting Your Pinterest Ideas Off Pinterest

[TOPIC: Turning inspiration into plans | Home addition planning | Floor plans & 3D modeling | Space evaluation & feasibility | Collaboration with architects & builders | Construction coordination]

You know when you have people over and suddenly you notice how small your dining room is?

Or you realize that in order to have enough seating you need to dash around the house grabbing the piano bench and the kids’ desk chairs?

We find that gatherings act as a kind of lens. You see your home differently when people are milling around or helping in the kitchen.
It helps highlight possibilities.

If you wish you had better seating, a more efficient space, or a little more elbow room — and you’ve been dreaming up house addition plans (you know, all the ideas you’ve been saving to a Pinterest board) — we can help.

If you want to put an addition on your house or modify a room to make it easier to accommodate a crowd, here’s how we make it actually happen.

We Have An Initial Conversation

First, we talk with you.

We ask you a lot of questions so we know what you want — but also so we can get to the root of your frustration or desire for the space.

During this phase, we’ll learn about your current day-to-day living situation:

• Is it working for you?
  

• How does it feel during that annual family gathering?
  

This helps us design based on what will work well daily and on special occasions, not just what looks appealing.

This process benefits you too.
Talking with someone who thinks about the efficiency, function, and aesthetics of spaces every day (that’s us!) can help unlock new ideas and refine your vision.

We Visit Your Home And Bring All The Details Together

Next, we’ll visit your home in person.

Seeing it in real life helps us:

• Visualize the space
  

• Understand how you want it to function
  

• Experience how your home’s spaces flow together
  

We gather essential data:

• Measurements
  

• Photos
  

• Construction details
  

• Flow and spatial relationships
  

Our goal is to collect as much information as possible so we can present feasible options and help you make informed decisions.

We Create A Floor Plan & Models

Back at the office, we take all that information and work it into a refined vision.

We create sketches and a floor plan for your new space.
We also create 3D models of your existing structure (especially for additions) so you can see what your home will look like — inside and out.

This helps you visualize the possibilities and understand the flow and function of the finished space.

Incorporating Your Pinterest Inspiration

While working through plans, we incorporate your ideas about finishes — this is your moment to share your Pinterest boards!

We use images of spaces you love to make recommendations for:

• Flooring
  

• Wall finishes
  

• Tiles
  

• Countertops
  

• Lighting
  

• Plumbing fixtures
  

• And more
  
  

Why Hiring An Architect Can Save Money

Hiring an architect can actually save you money.

Sometimes people hire us to design an addition or move an expensive space (like a kitchen or bathroom).
With our experience and professional approach, we can often avoid costly remodels or additions by:

• Reorganizing existing space instead of adding more
  

• Proposing clever design shifts that keep expensive elements (plumbing, electrical) in place

We Help Oversee The Work

Then — it’s go time!

We’re skilled partners during the implementation process and love to be involved in construction administration to ensure everything goes to plan.

We meet regularly on site to:

• Answer questions
  

• Solve problems that arise
  

• Oversee finishing touches
  

This is how we do good work.

Collaboration and Quality Control

Projects go more smoothly when we’re available to address details and concerns early.

When we’re involved in construction administration, we:

• Meet with the contractor before scheduling or ordering materials
  

• Stay in close communication throughout construction
  

• Oversee the quality of workmanship
  

• Guide decisions when unforeseen issues arise
  

It’s helpful to have us in these conversations because we’ve been with you since the beginning — we understand your budget, aesthetic, and functional goals.

This allows us to make recommendations aligned with your priorities.

Why Project Management Matters

The execution of ideas is just as critical as having them to begin with.

To ensure that you get what you paid for, it’s essential to have:

• Experienced project management
  

• High-caliber engagement during every phase
  

• Coordination with craftsmen and tradespeople
  

These relationships help everything work in harmony with your original vision — from concept through completion.

© Artisans Group Architecture + Planning — Sustainable Architecture, Passive House, and Passive Building Design Experts