Going the Distance

At Ramsay Gourd Architects, we have a policy that we want to be your architect for life.  And while not on the same level as the covenant of marriage, we do take our relationship with our clients very seriously.  Not always will we see things eye to eye, but through open and candid discussion, we can usually gain an insight into each other's paradigm and learn to appreciate our differences.

 Park Avenue Residence

I believe this is why so much of our our work is with repeat clients.  From our little practice in Vermont, we have had opportunities to work, not only in New England, but also in New York, New Jersey, and most recently, Southern California.

While I am a big advocate of regional contextualism, I believe that through careful study, good visual communication and an understanding of site conditions and indigenous construction practices, a thoughtful designer can do responsible work.  Sometimes, this requires tapping into local talent to achieve our goals.  In Manhattan, I have employed an excellent expediting consultant to help navigate through the bureaucratic labyrinth of New York permitting.  On the New Jersey coast, I worked with engineers who understand the nuance of appeasing the Zoning and Building Administrators.  In Monecitto, CA, my role is that of the designer, working with an architect of record who will be doing the heavy lifting by generating the working drawings and permitting packages.

Montecito, CA Residence

While this may seem like a laborious and potentially costly way to approach the design process, it does have some built-in efficiencies.  Primarily, we know each other.  As a designer, I understand my clients' tastes and idiosyncrasies.  They know how to communicate with me, and hopefully have established a level of trust in our work.