This article will discuss what to expect when working with an architect.
Working with an Architect: What to Expect?
Fratantoni Design • September 1, 2020
Working with an Architect: What to expect?
If you are looking to build or remodel a home, you might be looking into hiring an experienced architect. An architect will be able to take all of our design and budgeting goals to create a real plan and design to fit your needs. Here is what you can expect when working with an architect.
What an Architect Does
- Understand your goals for design and budget to create a house plan that fits your needs.
- Draw the plans and elevations of your home to meet your goals and the building and zoning codes.
- Work with your builder closely to make sure that your home is built to the standards of the drawing.
The Design Process
When choosing your architect each firm will work a little differently. It’s important that you can communicate with your architect and can trust them. Reviewing their testimonials and portfolio can help make the decision for which architect best fits you. When working with the Fratantoni Design team of experienced architects you can trust you’re in good hands.
The design process starts with an initial meeting where we can understand your lifestyle, needs, likes, and dislikes. This first step is important to make sure we understand your style and design goals. We always want to make sure we are on the same page with the project. Next, we would go through the phases of designing the plan. In this step, we are working with you to approve every feature and layout for your dream home. Once the plans have been approved our team will draw up the documents to submit the blueprints and get the builders permit. Finally, we will be working closely with your builder to make sure that the plans are built to your standards and goals.
Conclusion: Working with an Architect: What to expect?
There are a lot of experienced architects to choose from. The most crucial part of your project is making sure you’re hiring the right one. The team at Fratantoni Design has been designing and building homes all over the work for over 30 years. If you’re looking to hire an expert in luxury homes, feel free to contact us to start on your project. We look forward to hearing from you.
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In luxury custom residential architecture, the grand entrance is one of the most important design elements of a high end custom home. The arrival sequence defines the architectural identity, enhances curb appeal, and establishes the tone for the entire luxury estate. At Fratantoni Design, we approach every luxury custom home with intentional architectural planning, ensuring the exterior elevation, motor court, front facade, and grand foyer work together to create a cohesive and unforgettable experience. Below are the core components of designing a grand entrance in luxury home architecture.
Architectural planning is one of the most powerful and often overlooked drivers of long term property value in luxury residential real estate. While materials, finishes, and décor certainly contribute to visual appeal, the true financial and lifestyle performance of a home begins long before construction. It begins with the architectural plans. Strategic custom architectural design determines how a home functions, how it ages, how it adapts to changing lifestyles, and ultimately how it is perceived in the luxury housing market years or even decades later. For homeowners investing in custom luxury homes, architectural planning is not simply a preliminary phase. It is the foundation that protects and grows the value of the property over time.
When designing a luxury custom home, curb appeal is far more than fresh landscaping or a new coat of paint. True estate level curb appeal is rooted in architecture. It is the intentional balance of scale, symmetry, materials, and structural detail that communicates prestige, permanence, and craftsmanship before anyone ever steps through the front door. For affluent homeowners building a custom residence, the exterior of the home sets expectations for everything that follows. Luxury architecture is not decorated. It is designed from the ground up to make a statement. In high end residential architecture, curb appeal directly influences perceived property value, emotional impact, and long term desirability. The most memorable luxury homes are instantly recognizable not because of trends, but because of strong architectural fundamentals that stand the test of time.
When designing a truly exceptional custom home, luxury is not defined by square footage alone. At the highest level, luxury architecture is about how a home functions, how it supports daily routines, and how seamlessly it adapts to the way a family lives, entertains, and evolves over time. The most successful floor plans are those that are intentionally designed around lifestyle, not trends. At Fratantoni Design, we believe that the blueprint is the foundation of everything. Before materials are selected or architectural styles are refined, the floor plan must be thoughtfully developed to reflect the realities of modern luxury living.
When planning a custom luxury home, it is tempting to focus first on construction timelines, budgets, or even finishes. But the most successful residences do not begin with building. They begin with architecture. Architecture is the framework that shapes every experience within a home. It determines how spaces flow, how light is captured, how proportions feel, and how the residence responds to its site. Long before construction begins, architectural planning defines whether a home will feel cohesive, enduring, and intentional or merely assembled. For discerning homeowners, understanding the role of architecture is essential to creating a home that stands the test of time.
Luxury residential architecture in 2026 is no longer about dramatic facades or oversized floor plans alone. Today’s most discerning homeowners are seeking architecture that is intentional, refined, and deeply connected to how they live. True luxury architecture balances beauty with function, vision with precision, and creativity with technical expertise. At Fratantoni Design, luxury architecture is approached as both an art and a discipline. Every home begins with a clear architectural vision, carefully developed to reflect the client’s lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals.
Luxury homes demand more than beautiful design or quality construction alone. The most successful high-end residences are the result of seamless collaboration between architecture, interior design, and the build process. When these disciplines operate in isolation, even the most well-intentioned projects can suffer from misalignment, inefficiencies, and costly revisions. At Fratantoni Design, we believe the value of an integrated architecture, interior design, and build approach cannot be overstated. This collaboration is what allows luxury homes to feel cohesive, intentional, and exceptionally executed from concept through completion.
When building or remodeling a luxury home, the order in which professionals are brought into the process matters. One of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners make is involving interior design before architectural planning is fully developed. While interior design plays a critical role in how a home looks and feels, architecture is the foundation that determines how a home functions, flows, and endures. At Fratantoni Design, we believe architects should be involved before interior design begins. This approach ensures that the home’s structure, layout, and proportions are thoughtfully planned to support both aesthetics and livability from the start.
Luxury homes are no longer defined only by what happens inside. In today’s most exclusive estates, the outdoor spaces are just as important as the interiors. True indoor outdoor living begins at the architectural level, long before the first piece of furniture is placed or the landscape is installed. At Fratantoni Design, we specialize in creating custom floorplans that blur the line between indoors and out, crafting homes that feel connected to their surroundings while offering the highest level of comfort, beauty, and function.
Designing a luxury home on a sloped lot presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While uneven terrain can create design complexities, it also allows for one-of-a-kind architecture that blends seamlessly into the land and maximizes views in a way flat sites simply cannot. At Fratantoni Design, we specialize in crafting luxury residences on some of the most demanding lots across the country, including a Hawaii estate we designed perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff. These are the types of projects that demand creativity, precision, and a deep understanding of topography. With over 40 years of architectural expertise, our team is highly experienced in transforming sloped lots into structurally sound, visually breathtaking custom homes.
