FAQs
HOW IS YY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FIRMS?
With many years of work experience in the highest end projects in Toronto, we aim to apply that specialized knowledge and expertise on high end luxury exteriors and interiors while respecting the restrictions provided by the client including timeline, budget, and site.
DOES YY HAVE A SIGNATURE STYLE & HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT?
The YY design philosophy/style is a balance of strong bold gestures and elegantly finessed details, void of excess, pushing the limitations of materiality, and blurring boundaries. It is a design philosophy that allows adaptability to any context and most importantly the needs and requirements of the client.
WHAT BUILDING TYPES DOES YY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH?
Medium to large scale detached private homes and compounds, interior office fit-outs, mixed use skyscrapers and respective plazas, mid-rise residential buildings, and healthcare institutions
DOES YY WORK ON PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF ONTARIO?
YY is fully licensed with the Ontario Association of Architects and can seal drawings for building permit applications in the province of Ontario. The Canadian Reciprocity Agreement allows cross province licensure with simple registration.
In the event our services are requested outside of Canada, we are still able to provide design services as the 'design architect' but a local 'architect of record' should be hired to review and/or produce construction drawings, seal the drawings, apply for local building permits, and oversee contract administration. The local architect would take on the liability.
Vice versa applies where YY can act as the 'architect of record' for design architects out of province.
WHAT SOFTWARE PROGRAMS DO YOU USE?
AutoCAD, Rhino, Revit, Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Word, Excel. Software programs that will be used on a project can be adjusted to meet project budgets and timelines.
WHAT ARCHITECTS HAVE INSPIRED YOUR STYLE?
Mies van der Rohe's clean minimalist buildings that express his famous motto ' Less is More', Richard Neutra's timeless residences that merge exterior and interior in picturesque means, Louis Khan and Richard Meier's strong use of bold forms to create unique relationships with the user, Peter Zumthor's materiality, and finally Hariri Pontarini Architects' attention to detail and quality where Andria spent close to 6 years honing in on the craft and leading high end residential projects.
HOW DO YOU CHARGE?
Like most architects, a percentage of the total construction budget anywhere from 5-10% depending on the services requested and the complexity of the job.
If the construction budget is unknown, in the interim, services may be billed by the hour or a fixed monthly fee may be appropriate until real numbers are known.
In either scenario, we bill monthly, and require a retainer to initiate any design work.
It is most important to have a clear plan to properly manage your budget. Please feel free to contact us to book a consultation.
WHAT AREAS DOES YY WORK IN?
By adhering to our design philosophy, we can apply our vision to unlimited areas of architecture and interiors (residential, retail, hospitality, commercial etc.).
WHO WILL DESIGN MY PROJECT?
Unlike some large firms that transfer smaller projects to junior staff to 'run with', we understand the client is coming to us for a specific level of services and so we want to ensure that there will be an ongoing direct client-principal dialogue and a high level of principal involvement to meet mutual expectations of efficiency, vision, quality and expertise.
WILL YOU RECOMMEND TWO OR THREE GENERAL CONTRACTORS?
With many years of experience, we have had the pleasure of meeting and working with many GCs, trades, suppliers, consultants etc., and would gladly provide suitable recommendations