Choosing an architect is one of the most important decisions you’ll make on any building project. The right architect saves you money, accelerates your timeline, and delivers a building that serves your mission for decades. The wrong one costs you change orders, delays, and a facility that never quite works the way you need it to.
After 20+ years of designing churches, commercial buildings, public facilities, and educational institutions across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, here are the 10 things that actually matter when selecting an architect.
1. Relevant Project Experience
Don’t just ask “have you designed buildings?” Ask “have you designed this type of building?” A firm that specializes in luxury homes may be completely wrong for a church campus. A firm that designs hospitals may not understand the budget realities of a small commercial project.
Look for an architect with a portfolio that includes buildings similar to yours in type, scale, and budget. At A Beazley Architecture, our portfolio spans worship facilities from 2,500 SF renovations to 43,000 SF campuses, commercial projects from $1.2M bank branches to $3.5M multi-tenant developments, and public facilities exceeding $10M.
2. A Clear Design Process
Ask the architect to walk you through their process from start to finish. A professional firm should be able to articulate a clear, repeatable methodology — not “we’ll figure it out as we go.”
At A Beazley Architecture, we use the ARK Design System — Accountable, Relational, Kingdom-minded — which defines every phase from needs assessment through construction administration. Having a defined process means fewer surprises and more predictable outcomes.
3. Full-Service Capabilities
Some firms only provide design services — they’ll hand you drawings and walk away. Others offer full-service architecture that includes programming, master planning, 3D visualization, interior design, construction documents, and construction administration.
Full-service matters because the design phase is only half the battle. Without construction administration, your design intent gets diluted during building — material substitutions go unchallenged, details get simplified, and the final product doesn’t match what you approved.
4. Budget Discipline
Ask directly: “How do you handle budget?” The right answer involves designing TO the budget from day one, not designing aspirationally and then value-engineering later. An architect who designs a $5M building when your budget is $3M hasn’t demonstrated creativity — they’ve wasted your time.
Ask for examples of projects delivered on budget. Ask what happens when bids come in over budget. The answer reveals how the firm operates under real-world constraints.
5. Licensure and Credentials
This should be non-negotiable: your architect must be licensed in the state where your project is located. Verify their license with the state board. Beyond licensure, credentials like AIA (American Institute of Architects) membership and LEED AP certification signal professional commitment and continuing education.
6. Communication Style
You’ll work with your architect for months or years. Pay attention to how they communicate during the interview process — do they listen more than they talk? Do they ask smart questions about your operations? Do they explain technical concepts clearly? Communication style during selection is the best predictor of communication during the project.
7. Technology and Visualization
Can the firm show you what your building will look like before it’s built? 3D renderings, flythroughs, and virtual reality walkthroughs aren’t luxuries — they’re essential tools for validating design decisions and building stakeholder support. For Pathway Church’s $10.4M capital campaign, our visualization package was instrumental in securing congregational approval.
8. References from Similar Projects
Don’t just ask for references — ask for references from projects similar to yours. A glowing review from a residential client tells you nothing about how the firm handles a church building committee or a municipal approval process. Call the references and ask specific questions: Was the project on budget? On time? Would you hire them again?
9. Understanding of Your Mission
The best buildings aren’t designed for clients — they’re designed for missions. A great architect understands that a church isn’t just a building, it’s a home for ministry. A dental office isn’t just clinical space, it’s a brand experience. An animal shelter isn’t just a kennel, it’s a community engagement center.
At A Beazley Architecture, we describe ourselves as a kingdom-minded firm because we believe every project serves a purpose larger than the building itself. When your architect understands your “why,” every design decision becomes more intentional.
10. Long-Term Relationship Potential
The best architect relationships last beyond a single project. Our Saviour’s Church has trusted us with multiple campuses across Ville Platte, Abbeville, Lafayette, and Broussard — because the relationship works. Look for an architect you can grow with, not just hire once.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
Selecting an architect is the first and most important step in your building project. Schedule a free consultation with A Beazley Architecture and experience how the right architect-client relationship begins.
Adam Beazley, AIA, LEED AP is the founder and principal architect of A Beazley Architecture, an award-winning firm based in Broussard, Louisiana. With over 22 years of professional experience in commercial, institutional, and religious architecture, Adam specializes in contemporary, resilient design across the Gulf Coast. Licensed in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida with an NCARB certificate. Adam leads a kingdom-minded firm committed to designing buildings that serve clients missions, strengthen communities, and stand the test of time.