In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we dig into what “the team” really means on a residential construction project. It’s not just the architect and contractor—though they’re obviously key—it’s a broader group of specialists that we as architects are responsible for assembling and managing throughout the life of the project.

We start by breaking down the essential players on our teams. In Massachusetts, where energy codes are strict, Marilyn shares how a HERS rater is always involved early to help build an energy model. She also consistently brings on structural, civil, and mechanical engineers. Taylor echoes the need for structural and civil engineers in Alabama but explains how local requirements vary, like not needing HERS raters or having limited access to residential mechanical engineers. She also often brings in geotechnical engineers and septic consultants for properties off the sewer grid.

We talk about how these consultants—whether hired directly by us or through the contractor—play critical roles in ensuring code compliance and system performance. Importantly, we manage the coordination, communication, and sometimes even the payments, so clients don’t feel overwhelmed by a flood of separate bills or responsibilities. Our job is to handle that complexity and keep the process smooth.

Then we dive into specialty consultants. Lighting designers, AV teams, security consultants, landscape architects, and even niche experts like art or gym consultants might join the team depending on the project’s needs. Marilyn brings up healthy building materials consultants for projects with clients who have environmental sensitivities—a growing consideration in design.

We emphasize how critical it is to work with a trusted team that has experience collaborating. The synergy of a well-practiced group pays off in better results and fewer delays. Trying to save money by hiring unknown consultants can backfire by creating confusion or miscommunication.

We also touch on the differences between design-build and full-service design depending on local norms. Sheri and Taylor often rely on subcontractors to handle MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) design, while Marilyn prefers to fully design HVAC systems in-house due to the complexity and code demands in her region. These differences highlight how local practices influence how architects assemble their teams and deliver services.

Ultimately, the metaphor we land on is the architect as orchestra conductor—someone who understands every part but focuses on bringing it all together into a coherent, efficient, and beautiful result.

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

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In this episode of Home: The Second Story Podcast, we sit down with Greg from Central Kentucky to unpack the twists and turns of his custom home build during the height of COVID. We begin by learning why Greg and his wife chose to relocate to Kentucky — wanting to be closer to family and create a calm, settled place for their four young children. With prior experience building two homes through production builders and Greg’s background in commercial construction, they felt confident enough to tackle a custom build without an architect, trusting a local builder recommended by their realtor.

As we dive deeper, Greg shares how quickly that confidence faded. Due diligence turned out to be the biggest lesson learned. Early on, they relied on the builder to handle both the design and construction. Instead of detailed construction documents, they received rough plans that left too much open to interpretation. Because of supply chain delays and poor planning, the house sat framed but unfinished through an entire Kentucky winter, leading to stress over moisture damage and scheduling nightmares.

Greg describes the reality of acting as his own project manager while juggling a full-time job and a growing family. He and his wife took on tasks like creating finish schedules, selecting materials, and coordinating with trades. As the builder struggled to manage trades and schedules, Greg’s frustration grew — not because he didn’t know better, but because he didn’t want to create conflict. Eventually, they stripped work from the builder’s scope just to get the house livable, closing with only a certificate of occupancy and managing painting, trim, and cabinetry themselves through local contractors.

Despite the setbacks, Greg reminds us that there’s still satisfaction in seeing their vision come to life — a spacious home with personal design touches and a serene lot for their boys to run free. Looking back, he underlines the importance of vetting everyone thoroughly — from the builder to every subcontractor — and not assuming base competence without proof. He urges anyone taking on a custom home to ask hard questions up front, check references, understand local trades, and accept that a true custom build demands both time and contingency.

We wrap up recognizing that while this experience was rough, it didn’t have to be. Working with the right professionals, asking tough questions, and having a plan with enough budget and schedule buffer can keep a custom build from becoming a cautionary tale. For Greg and his family, the stress ultimately paid off in a home they now love — but they’ll need a few more years (and bourbons) before doing it again.

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this snack-sized episode, we dig into the design selections process—what it is, when it should happen, and how to navigate it without losing your mind. Selections refer to everything from fixtures and finishes to materials, colors, and even the tiniest details like shower hardware. While the process might seem straightforward, we’ve found that it’s one of the most underestimated and overwhelming parts of a residential project.

We kick things off by addressing the myth that you can wait until construction starts to choose your finishes. All three of us agree: that’s a recipe for disaster. Waiting leads to rushed decisions, missed coordination opportunities, and unnecessary stress. Ideally, selections should be nearly complete before construction begins—especially for custom homes where every finish is chosen from scratch. That early clarity helps avoid delays and ensures smooth coordination with trades, especially for electrical and plumbing rough-ins that need precise placement information.

Taylor shares an anecdote about a friend’s renovation that stalled due to indecision. In contrast, her clients who made selections early had far fewer issues. Sheri notes that while many of her projects still begin construction before final selections are made, that approach requires a tightly managed process with little room for changes. Marilyn points out how timeline pressure is even more intense in her complex renovations, where rough-ins happen just weeks after demolition. For her, having all selections finalized early is non-negotiable.

We also explore how to tailor the process to different clients. Some love going to showrooms, others want curated choices. Part of our job is understanding decision-making styles—especially when working with couples who may differ dramatically in how they process choices. Marilyn mentions a worksheet in her residential workbook (linked below) that helps clients identify how they make decisions, which guides how we support them throughout.

On the technical side, we discuss how we track and organize selections. From massive Google Sheets to old-school binders and detailed fixture schedules, we all have systems that allow for internal review and clear communication with builders. We emphasize the importance of sign-offs, version control, and not relying on texts or post-its for critical information. It’s about building in checks and balances so nothing gets lost in translation.

We wrap by agreeing on a few golden rules: start with limited, natural materials like stone or wood, and always leave paint for last. Paint is flexible—tile and stone are not. And perhaps most importantly: don’t text your architect about hardware changes at 6 a.m. on a Saturday. You'll hear who has experienced that.

Find Marilyn's worksheets at her shop: https://www.runcibleshop.com/

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.