Our architect has been wonderful to work with. He did a site visit to our property and we spent two days chatting in person about what we were looking for, what we liked, etc. We filled out a 20 page questionnaire ahead of time, answering a lot of various questions about how we anticipate using the house, what we liked about former places we had lived, etc. We had many phone conversations and web meetings (our architect is from out-of-state) through the entire process. Throughout the design process, he has presented us with various options for different details of the house. It really helped us explore ideas and he brought a lot to the table, things we wouldn't have thought of. Some items we loved, others we didn't. For us, it was about choosing between options rather than just saying "no" to an idea we didn't like. They are professionals and are helping you design your home. Any respectable architect is not going to be offended because you asked to explore other options. If you don't like something, you should let them know and they should assist you in exploring alternate solutions. Good luck and enjoy the process. Use your architects experience to bring fresh ideas to the table and expand your ideas of what you want. But, ultimately go with what feels right to you.

Virgil

Don't mean to hijack the OP's thread but we are in a similar situation talking to an architect now. Our architect is charging a flat fee for the plans and he is willing to bid out the plans to contractors. If an architect represents you during the construction process does he come to the site while the house is being built? If so, how many inspections would he do? Or this it a specific timeline set up by the architect?

If you commission the architect to conduct bidding and make recommendations to you as to the award of the construction contract, plus subsequent construction administration, it all depends on the terms of the owner-architect agreement. But, in answer to your question, yes the architect visits the site periodically and at key, critical times during the construction, including substantial completion. The number of times and the timing of the visits is specified in the agreement. S/he also may also review the contractor's monthly invoice and make recommendations to you on the amount due to be paid, including at substantial completion.

btw: if it's just a hallway to get from bedroom A to bedroom B, I agree with you that 7' wide on the second floor is ridiculous. I assume the second floor is the sleeping floor. I can see it on the first floor in the public areas, but why waste the space upstairs. I'd rather have the room in the bedrooms and/or the bathrooms.

Without seeing the plans, it's really not possible to offer an opinion on the 7' corridor. Clearly, the architect sees the space as more than simply a passageway to get from "A" to "B", but for what purpose and for what distance is unknown without seeing plans. For example, is the space seen as a small study, a library, a place to sit and look out the window, a place of brief respite, or a thousand other possibilities? Is it a design device to preclude a "bowling alley" effect in an important place? This is the danger of threads like this, where someone simply makes a statement and others latch on to it with opinions of their own. We should stick to facts or at least informed opinions if we are to be helpful.

Good point Virgil which is why I did preface it about point a to b. But like you said there could be other factors

If you can't visualize it, or are not convinced by what you envision when hearing a certain idea, the architect could draw it, model it, or share a picture of a precedent. Say, "Show me."

"This is the danger of threads like this, where someone simply makes a statement and others latch on to it with opinions of their own. We should stick to facts or at least informed opinions if we are to be helpful."

Maybe the real danger is that one should read the opening post again, for the OP's dilemma and the architect's stated reasoning during their ongoing debate over the 7' wide hallway - and to not try to limit and control the conversation by stifling other contributor's comments and observations.

Further, I would think if there were plans to provide a reading spot there or something, it would not only be something the client needs/wants and has requested but he would have explained its dual purpose to promote the idea/solution. It wouldn't seem he has convinced the client why this hallway would be any more 'cramped' than what they are accustomed to or might expect. Maybe they would find larger bedrooms, bathrooms, closets to be more useful and comfortable.

"2. If he highly recommends something and almost insists on it, but you are not 100% sure, do you trust the architect's expertise or do you veto the idea? For example, ours recommended 7 ft wide second floor hallway (3600 sq ft house). I thought that was an overkill but he said if hallway were any narrower it would be too cramped and therefore he doesn't recommend it.

3. If you want to veto his idea, how do you do it without offending him or questioning his expertise? I mean, they DO know better than us so I feel Squamish about questioning their advice."

7' is way, way, overkill for a 3,600 sf. house!! Completely unnecessary!! Better use those spaces in the bedrooms where you get much higher value. Select a builder and have them sit in on the sessions.