First let's try to define value. There is monetary value, which varies with supply and demand as well the buyers and seller's perceptions. Then there is the value of what is important to the individual at the moment. If you are a parent, a photo of you child at the beach may be more valuable than an autographed photo of a major league sports figure. If you are lost in the woods a paper map would be more valuable than a diamond ring.
So what does this have to do with "do architects add value to home design?" As far as monetary value, that is often set by bank appraisers. They do not consider whether or not the house (it is not a home until a family moves in and makes it their home-- but I digress) is designed by a registered architect or not. They value the property based on neighborhood, square footage, and the like.
Architects are trained to plan the building to take advantage of site features, capture views and vistas, create the appropriate scale, locate the building for proper solar orientation, consider climate, provide the amenities the occupants need, and not include unneeded expensive features, and address all the concerns of good design. Architect also oversee construction to assure the contractors do not take shortcuts that lead to later problems. I did not mention appearance as that is too subjective, and subject to current fab and whim.
Builder's plan book garbage seldom address any of the issues of good design that I just mentioned. But they do know how to build extra unneeded square footage for high bank appraisals and high mortgages. The house buyers can get a mortgage and are unaware of what they are missing. The buyers that have never heard that there is more to good design than unneeded square footage with high appraisals and fake plastic shutters. In short they see value in being able to finance the purchase and are not aware of the value of the important amenities that a properly designed house would afford them.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as is value.
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Richard Linderman AIA
Principal
The Linderman Group Architects, Inc.
Media PA
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