Halo Architects started in late 2006 with a vision to see churches maximize the impact they have on their communities. Halo designs spaces where God can be worshiped and community can be cultivated.
In that time, Halo has become much more than a full service architectural design firm specializing exclusively in church planning and design. With affiliations in capital stewardship, capital campaign marketing, and a growing network of strategic partners in building finance and construction, Halo uniquely offers an all-inclusive service package to help reign in the lengthy process of church planning, designing, communicating, marketing, financing, and building your future. Serving over fifty ministries to date, Halo and its affiliated companies have become nationally recognized as authorities in church facility planning and ministry specific design.
1. What are your Qualifications and Experience?
The architects at Halo have been involved in projects relating to almost every kind of building type that exists. We have architectural experience in churches, institutions, large and small retail stores, schools, office buildings, and restaurants, just to name a few. As an example, our retail work can be found across the nation in familiar names like: Macy’s, Foley’s, Jocelyn’s, Lord & Taylor, Ultimate Electronics, and more.
2. What is the range of project sizes and costs with which you usually work?
The range of Halo projects have varied anywhere from small remodels to 300,000 square foot buildings and multiple building campus developments, but our most common project size is between 30,000 square feet and 50,000 square feet at a cost of anywhere from $110 to $150 per square foot.
3. What services do you provide during the architectural and construction processes?
During the architectural phase, Halo provides comprehensive planning and design services including, but not limited to: planning, budgeting, schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
During the construction phase, Halo provides assistance in awarding the work to a contractor. We review shop drawing submittals, evaluate construction work, and certify certificates for payment to the contractor, just to name a few.
4. Are you licensed to provide architectural services in every state?
Halo is extremely fortunate to have already provided services all across the United States. As an NCARB accredited architectural firm, Halo architects can work in any state across the Nation by simply filing the appropriate paper work which only takes on average 3 weeks.
5. How do you charge for your services?
Halo charges for their services based on the services requested. New construction and larger renovation or addition projects are typically based on a percentage of the Cost of Work which includes all of the elements of the project designed or specified by Halo Architects. Smaller projects and special conditions can be serviced based on a lump sum fee, as well as hourly fees, whichever suit our clients best. We also have a specially priced “Vision Casting” service which includes everything you need to clearly communicate your ideas to investors, board members, congregations, etc.
6. Do I need to hire other professionals or consultants?
Halo can provide basic as well as comprehensive professional services, but in almost all cases, the client is responsible for hiring geotechnical engineers, site surveyors, and other professionals that are not part of the typical architectural services. Even so, Halo is part of a highly reputable network of professionals and we can help you approach these consultants if and when needed.
7. Do you carry errors and omissions insurance coverage?
Yes, we do carry errors and omissions insurance to protect our clients in the unfortunate event that a design error might cause undue financial burdens.
8. What sets you apart from other architects?
There are
many things that set Halo apart from other architects, but our
passion for technological innovation has to be high on the list. An example of our innovative design process would be Halo’s early adoption and emphasis on
3D Design and communication technologies which allow us to seamlessly coordinate the design with you and the rest of the design team. This ultimately saves you money as
needless change order expenses are reduced considerably compared to other architects.
Another example of what makes Halo different is the fact that Halo specializes in architectural visualization services and production of
cutting edge 3D animated virtual tours. We have a dedicated staff of designers and artists that specialize in making our 3D designs come to life with the highest quality Photo Realistic 3D Renderings and 3D Virtual Tours available. Halo productions go well beyond the “SketchUp” animations that most architects try to push on you as equal products. “Seeing is believing”.
Click here to see for yourself...9. What is a 3D Virtual Tour and how do you use that in your design process?
A 3D virtual tour is a computer generated walk through of a three dimensional (3D) virtual model of your future facility. Halo designs your facilities using cutting edge computer graphics and animation technology that is used in Hollywood feature films. This technology allows Halo to clearly communicate their creative ideas, which improves your understanding of the building as it is being designed. This is just one of the benefits in the Halo workflow which helps reduce the number of miscommunications and client initiated change orders, which saves you a considerable amount of money.
10. What type of owner-architect agreement do you use?
Halo uses contracts written by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) which are widely considered the industry standard. These contracts address the owner-architect-contractor relationship as well as the relationship with the construction manager if a construction manager has been hired by the owner.
