6 Jul, 2026 · 3 min read
Most people think an architect's job begins with floor plans.
Mine doesn't.
Long before I start thinking about building elevations, unit layouts, or architectural style, I'm asking a very different set of questions.
Should this project be built at all?
That may sound like an unusual question coming from an architect, but it's one of the most important questions a developer can answer.
When I walk a site, I'm not just looking at what exists today. I'm evaluating its potential.
Many people assume zoning tells the whole story.
It doesn't.
Zoning is simply the starting point.
The real opportunity often comes from understanding how multiple regulations work together.
Those answers often have a greater impact on a project's feasibility than the zoning designation itself.
Every development project carries risk.
The goal isn't to eliminate it.
The goal is to understand it before investing hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars into design and engineering.
Some of the first questions I ask include:
Each answer influences the project's cost, timeline, and overall feasibility.
Great development isn't about squeezing the maximum number of units onto a property.
It's about creating housing that belongs in its neighborhood while also making financial sense to build.
The most successful projects balance thoughtful design with practical execution.
That means understanding planning policy, construction logistics, entitlement strategy, infrastructure, and long-term investment value—not just architecture.
People often think architecture begins with drawings.
In reality, many of the biggest project decisions have already been made before the first line is drawn.
That's why I always say:
We underwrite land before we design buildings.
Because good architecture begins with understanding the opportunity.
Not just designing the building.
