getting picky

how do you find an architect you like within the parameters you need?
*someone good to work with
*someone who produces work you like and will give you a space you like
*sustainable design
*keeps costs down

other people's
Tips on finding your Architect (uk)
Ten tips how to find or choose an architect (us)
advice from local architect, paul coffey, on rrr 'the architects' (podcasts) and works for gregory burgess:
Design something well, in this case a building, and you will never need to change it.
The reason people renovate buildings (excepting changes in program to accomodate more or less people) like the ones shown is because they are particularly bad buildings. No design and average/poor construction.
Here's another few invaluable tips;
- Avoid lifestyle TV
- Avoid anything that is promoted as stylish.
- Avoid the word 'style' altogether.
- Also avoid words such as 'trend', 'contemporary', 'feature wall' etc.
- Ceiling fans are great. If you look further than Channel 7 or 9, you will discover that there are some well designed and modestly priced ones on the market, plus you don't have some ridiculous plastic box stuck to your roof.
- Stop, stand back, have a serious and objective look at your building and have a serious and objective think about what it will need to work at it's optimum. Then build that.
- or speak to someone who knows what they are talking about.

age blog - renovation nation
and the author's other website, http://www.renovationplanning.com.au/ hmm
includes:
how much should it cost (2009 $$)
second hand building materials
renovating to budget tips
energy-saving renovation
dos/don'ts for the bathroom
dos/don'ts for the kitchen
lots of researching ...

steel frames for the owner builder (and presumably architects)

and! a real-life cheap reno story