Part two in a three part series highlighting every role needed to build an elite project team
In this month's Q&A, we continue our series focused on building the “dream team” for your new home build or renovation project. I sat down with Bat Oggero of Sullivan Henry Oggero, a firm with deep roots in residential design. What began as a two-man operation in 1960 has grown into a team of over 25 professionals, each contributing their expertise to create distinctive, custom homes. Over the decades, they've designed residences for a wide array of clients, including professional athletes, political figures, entertainers, and Fortune 500 leaders, often working with the same families on multiple projects.
Bat, who joined the firm in 1991 and became a partner in 2004, has a remarkable talent for connecting with clients on a personal level. A graduate of Texas A&M's College of Architecture and a member of the Architectural Honor Society, Bat brings both his professional skill and personal touch to every project, helping to shape homes that stand out in the greater Houston area and beyond.
1. No two clients are alike. What’s your process for understanding a client’s unique lifestyle and how it influences the design of their home?
We kick off every project with an initial consultation, where we dive deep into the client's vision and needs. It’s all about understanding how they live and what they dream for their new home—starting at the front door and working our way through each space. Every project is different, so we know exactly what questions to ask to start shaping the design. We even start sketching ideas right then and there. It’s a great way to keep clients on the same page with us and explore different options together. Plus, it’s always fun to see their reactions to the sketches!
2. Your initial consultation gets the vision started. Walk us through how that evolves into the final architectural design
The sketches and inspiration pictures from that first consultation become our guiding light—what we call the ‘direction.’ We then put these concepts to scale, along with front elevations, creating what we call the Initial Sketch. This is a crucial stage for client feedback! Once the Initial Sketch is approved, our team dives into design development. The whole process, from start to finish, usually takes about 3-4 months. We’re all about keeping the momentum going so that the vision can become a reality. And remember, once the architectural plan is set, construction takes 1-2 years! Lifestyles can change a lot in that time. Imagine designing a home for a family with high schoolers, only to have those kids off to college by the time the house is built. It’s a moving target!
3. What are some common challenges you face on residential projects, and how do you overcome them?
The biggest challenge? When clients struggle to visualize what they want or aren’t quite sure what that is. This can lead us down a rabbit hole of multiple options and revisions just to find the right direction. While there’s value in exploring different ideas, it can definitely add time to the project.
6. Clients often struggle with getting the square footage right during the design phase. I hear a lot that the house ends up being bigger than they anticipated. How do you help clients understand the square footage needed for their design, and how do you make adjustments if the plan is too large?
We typically back into the square footage by looking at the budget. Whatever the budget is, we’ll tie it in with the builder the client wants to work with to get an approximate square footage cost. We take the total investment amount for the project, divide it by the square footage, and voilà—we’ve got our starting point. This is why having a builder on board early is so helpful.
5. Even when people say there’s no budget, we know there’s always a limit to what clients will want to invest. What role does the residential building designer / architect play in initial budgeting, and how do you guide the project to stay within cost parameters?
Everyone has a budget—whether they admit it or not! We back into the square footage using their overall budget parameters, which helps immensely. We often suggest that clients meet with a builder and walk through a similar project to what they’re envisioning. The builder can provide a general square footage cost for that level of detail, finishes, and so on. This can happen right after the initial sketch phase, giving us a solid benchmark for the design. The last thing we want is to go through the whole process and then have to redo plans because we missed the budget mark by a mile.
7. Can you discuss the importance of communication and collaboration between the residential building designer or architect, interior designer, builder, and other members of the project team? I would love your thoughts on the importance of each team member bringing their particular skill set to the table –could you elaborate on that?
It’s all about chemistry when it works well! Each team member brings something unique to the table, and the key is to let the building design team, builder, and designer each do their thing. The architect is busy working through the design and program of the residence, the builder is providing feedback on budget and construction methods, and the interior designer is focused on selecting and detailing the interior elements. When everyone stays in their lane, the project runs smoothly.
8. When do you suggest clients start collaborating with an interior designer, and how does this partnership enhance the overall design?
Typically, after the initial concept is developed. The interior designer steps in to help with the trim, surfaces, and all the fun interior details. The actual design of the home is the architect’s playground, so it’s best to bring in the interior designer once the plan has started to solidify. That’s when their magic really enhances the overall design.
9. What advice would you give to clients embarking on a custom home project regarding the role and selection of an architect?
Don’t make price your top criterion when selecting a residential building designer or architect! You want someone who’s going to be invested in you and your project—someone with whom you have good chemistry. Sure, you might have some higher upfront costs, but working with an experienced architect or designer will save you money in the long run! They’ll know how to design and build efficiently, and they’ll think through the details at the plan stage so you can avoid costly changes down the road. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. You want to know that your design team has a solid background and hearing past client’s experiences can be a hug help so that you know what to expect.
Learn more about Sullivan Henry Oggero design services by visiting the SHO website In addition, Atelier Interiors is excited to be working on two SHO plans in 2024-2025. Follow along on our social media pages to see these projects come to life over next 18 months!
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