There is a fine line between architecture and interior design. Architects in the residential market traditionally have shied away from specifying products, relinquishing this responsibility to others. However, as professionals, we can embrace this facet of the project so the end product better reflects the architect’s original vision. This need not preclude working with interior designers, who may remain involved in the selection of custom finishes, furniture and window treatments, for example. The architect, however, can specify fixtures, appliances, plumbing, tile and hardware, etc., as well as cabinetry since it greatly impacts the interior look and neatly fits into CAD development.

Moving away from allowances and toward greater specificity is a good objective for an architectural firm. To provide this professional expertise to the client, the architect will need to become well informed about what’s available in the marketplace.

With so much focus on design in today’s marketplace, there is much greater interest in residential architecture. The public is bombarded with home improvement shows, myriad residential design books, articles, seminars and expos. Our appetites for home ideas and new products seem to be insatiable.

There is tremendous impetus today for architects as professionals to stay not only informed about what’s in vogue but to be ahead of the curve so we lead projects rather than clients leading us. Pursue continuing education in parallel with licensing requirements and take time to learn from seminars, conventions and periodicals.

As with all pursuits, the Internet brings to our fingertips information and access to most every product and service available.

It’s all there for our edification, and with the popularity of home improvement, our clients will be perusing the same. Since it’s embarrassing when the client might know more about something than we do, commit the time to educate yourself.

One great way to keep abreast of trends and have information readily available is to organize and maintain a resource center of information on products, materials and providers. An updated in-house library of materials and products can be indispensable to the residential architect who desires to take a project’s specifications and drawings to a higher level of completion.