PORTUGUESE ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS AND ARCHITECTS IN PORTUGAL
Here you have some frequent asked questions about Portuguese architecture projects and architects in Portugal
ARE ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS AND THE ARCHITECT IN PORTUGAL ADAPTED TO EACH CLIENT?
Our philosophy is the strategy to achieve such goal. An architecture project or architecture design has several steps: Sometimes the first one is Preliminary services: Advice on choosing a building site (or measure existing building.). Normally after that we have Programming: A written description of your needs, which is used as the basis for design. Than we provide a Schematic design: Sketches of various alternate schemes that will satisfy your program. After receiving your comments, a single scheme is developed. When you accept the last we go to the Design development: Drawings, outline specifications, and estimates that further describe the size and character of the project. We than provide Contract documents: Working drawings and specifications describe the work in detail. They are used for competitive bidding and for construction of the building. After we go for Bidding: Help in finding qualified bidders who are interested in building your project. And finally there is the Contract administration: Site visits from time to time to assist the contractor with interpretation of the contract documents and to verify that the work conforms to the documents. The Architect will also certify payments earned by the contractor.
DO THE ARCHITECTS PRACTICE DESIGN AN ARCHITECTURE PROJECT ACCORDING TO MY BUDGET?
Yes, definitely. We work according to the budget our clients can afford. Moreover, the great advantage of our services is precisely the ability to inform you of the possibility of some solutions imply a bigger budged than the one you were thinking of. At the same time we allow you to choose the best materials for the budget you want to spend be it any building type: residential, commercial or industrial.
DOES THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES PRACTICE IN PORTUGAL DEVELOP ANY BUILDING TYPE?
Yes, of course. We are always willing to get a new challenge, be it a simple House, a Vacation House or Holiday Home, Industrial Units, Light Engineering Workshops, Day Centres, Call Centres, Churches, Restaurants, Petrol Stations, Supermarkets, Shops, Offices, Pharmacies, Waste Transfer Stations, Individual Houses, Housing Developments, Extensions, Alterations or Conversions, Conservation, Restoration and Interiors, Private Indoor Swimming Pools.
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES IN PORTUGAL AND PORTUGUESE ARCHITECTS PRACTICE
Here you have some frequent asked questions about architectural services in Portugal and Portuguese architects practice
DO THE ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS MADE BY UTOPIA ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE FIT ON THE CLIENTS TASTE?
Yes, definitely. Our architecture projects are designed according to our clients preferences. All the good architecture is based on this concepts: clients needs and culture. All this years we have seen our clients satisfied with our designs and we are proud of all our works. That's the way we see the role of the architect in Portugal: to help you achieving your goals.
HIRING AN ARCHITECT IN PORTUGAL AND HOW TO HIRE ARCHITECTS
Hiring an architect in Portugal is something very important like in any other country. Nevertheless, there are questions you should ask before hiring an architect in Portugal that have an important role in the quality of the architectural services and the architectural fees proposed: -Has the architect make any works you appreciate? -Does the architect show a big concern about all your worries -Does the architect answer all your questions -Does the architec provide a description of all services included by their fees -Do the architectural services include the necessary design changes, Contract documents, the Bidding, Contract administration or not. These are some of the questions we always answer our clients.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ARCHITECT AND THE ENGINEER
The architect has a different academic background than the engineer. It does not mean it's better or worse, it just means that the architect is more familiar with form, space, materials and finishings and the engineer is more prepared when subjects like structure or infrastructure are being developed.
ARCHITECTS, CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS IN PORTUGAL
Here you have some frequent asked questions about architects, civil and structural engineers and landscape architects in Portugal
DOES THE UTOPIA ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE MANAGES ALL THE BUILDING PROCESS WITH A PROJECT ARCHITECT?
Yes, if you wish so. The specific tasks of a project architect are usually associated with architectural design, construction materials & methods and the production of construction documents (floor plans, elevations, etc.). Other responsibilities range from client relations to zoning and building code management, material specifications, maintaining quality control by checking and making revisions to shop drawings. The position generally also involves coordinating the needs of a client, possibly and designer and technical staff, and outside consultants such as structural engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Civil Engineers and Landscape architects. The Project Architect usually works in concert with a Project Manager who is responsible for the budget and the whole architectural design team including all consultants (engineers, cost estimators, interior designers, landscape architects). So, if you want a Project Architect, a project Manager or both in Portugal or other country, please contact us.
DO I NEED AN ENGINEER FOR MY HOUSE PROJECT?
Yes, you do. The same way you need an architect, you will also need an engineer. Engineers, just like architects, are absolutely necessary to achieve a good final result for your project within the aimed budget. Engineers are consultants that when managed by a good project manager (i.e. a skilled architect) provide high construction quality within a low budget.
WHAT KIND OF ENGINEERS DO I NEED FOR MY HOUSE PROJECT IN PORTUGAL?
Normally for a house project, you will need a Structural engineer and a Civil Engineer. You may or may not need a Mechanical Engineer depending on the size of your project. But you can be sure Utopia Architectural practice provides all this consultants and coordinates them in order to design you a project that reaches all of your goals.
ARCHITECT FEE OR COST, ARCHITECTS FEES OR HOW MUCH DOES AN ARCHITECT CHARGE IN PORTUGAL
Here you have some frequent asked questions about an architect fee or cost, architects fees or how much does an architect charge in Portugal
SHOULD I SIGN A CONTRACT WITH AN ARCHITECT AND AN ENGINEER MANAGED BY AN ARCHITECTS PRACTICE?
Yes, you should definitely sign a contract with an architect and an engineer managed by an architects practice. It is much safer for the client if he has a contract with a very good description of the architectural services and engineering services. Whether you choose our Architectural practice or any other you should always sign a contract describing the services, budget aimed, the responsibilities, deadlines and costs. Your investments are so important that you should never forget this issue.
CAN I CHOOSE AN ARCHITECT FROM UTOPIA'S ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE AND CHOOSE THE ENGINEERS FROM ANOTHER COMPANY ON ANOTHER COUNTRY?
Of course you can. Our architecture and engineering fees proposals are completely detailed.Therefore, if you only want our architecture services and choose other's country company you will have our support and collaboration. This situation is very common and we work with any other company with professionalism and enthusiasm.
DOES THE UTOPIA ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE ALSO BUILDS WHAT IT DESIGNS?
No. We manage the bidding and project's construction but we do not sell construction services. We believe that architecture and engineering services have a deontological component so important that construction services become incompatible with an architectural and engineering practice. We defend our clients designing a good project and managing and surveying the construction. Designing and building are different services with different interests. We like to keep doing what we do best: designing good architecture and engineering.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN ARCHITECT OR ARCHITECTURE CABINET IN PORTUGAL
Here you have some frequent asked questions about how to choose an architect or architecture cabinet in Portugal
WHY SOME ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS HAVE CHEAPER OR LOWER FEES OR COSTS?
Architects and engineers have cheaper or lower fees or costs according to the quality and type of architecture and engineering services they provide. We at Utopia Architecture Practice can assure you that we will achieve all that we aim or propose and we will follow all of the prerogatives of the signed contract, namely deadlines, budget costs and architecture and engineering quality. The mos important reason why we found different architecture and engineering fees or costs is that different architecture practices and engineering firms provide different deadlines, warranties, support and responsibilities.
WHAT'S THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF CHOOSING UTOPIA ARCHITECTS PRACTICE ARCHITECTURE services
You will see how much our architects are competitive if you compare with others architectural cabinets some of the following items: -number of changes the architect and engineer allows the client to ask in order to fulfil their aims, -the legal responsibilities granted, -contract documents with enough construction details, -bidding, -Contract administration, -3d renderings, -3d models, etc. Comparing this architectural services our clients have built the history of this architectural practice cabinet in Portugal and in all the countries where we have worked.
HOW MUCH DOES AN ARCHITECT OR ENGINEER CHARGE FOR PRESENTING FEES OR COSTS?
We at Utopia architects practice do not charge anything and will give you a free proposal for you to evaluate our engineers and architects competitiveness in Portugal and internationally.
HIRING AN ARCHITECT OR ARCHITECTURE DESIGN FIRM AND INVESTING IN PORTUGAL
Here you have some frequent asked questions about hiring an architect or architecture design firm and investing in Portugal
ALL THE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN FIRMS HAVE ENGINEERS?
No. Utopia architects practice has engineers because this way we will provide you a better service coordinating and managing all the consultants and construction.
IS THE UTOPIA ARCHITECTS PRACTICE BASED IN PORTUGAL, SPAIN, ANGOLA, BRAZIL, MOZAMBIQUE?
Yes we have already worked for Portugal, Spain, Angola, Brazil, Mozambique and other countries. If you want an architectural service for Europe, Asia, America or Africa just ask us and you will be surprised by our quality and competitiveness.
CAN WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT-VENTURE WITH UTOPIA ARCHITECTS PRACTICE CABINET?
Yes, our architects practice or architectural design firm have already developed architecture projects in a partnership or joint-venture with others engineers, architects and design firms. We are always willing to share our experience and knowledge for the benefice of a better architectural service for the client.