Architecture/Home Addition

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Expert: - 4/19/2010


Question
My wife and I were looking to purchase our first home. We have found a house we both like and feel it would suit our needs now. However, the house is lacking a family room and a basement. There is ample space to build a reasonable addition (approx. 20x20). We were wondering what we could do before purchasing the house to get it inspected by an architect or county agency or whomever to see if this addition and a basement is possible. The house is located in unincorporated Hinsdale in Illinois. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

Answer
Chris - thanks for your question!

A residential architect in your area should be happy to consult with you and help you determine the feasibility of the project you're considering.  I would expect you'd not need more than an hour of his time.

I'd start with your local AIA (American Institute of Architects) chapter to find residential architects in your area.  There's an "architect finder" link at www.aia.org.

To save a little time and money, stop in at your local zoning official's office first and find out about setbacks and sideyards that might affect where an addition might go and how big it could be.  Sometimes there are unexpected restrictions that impact what you can do.

Hope this helps,

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtastudio.blogspot.com
www.rtaplans.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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