Del Mar’s Architects

I was passing through San Diego, speaking to a number of architects, when I saw criticism of the fees paid to Robert A. M. Stern Architects and Bokal Kelley-Markham Architects, the designers of Del Mar’s downtown community center (“Del Mar Council Under Fire on Architect,” June 28).

As one who sees the work of a great number of architects and is conversant with fee practices all over the country, I can categorically state that Del Mar, like most clients, is receiving architectural services at a much lower cost than they would expect to pay for just about any other professional service.

Although I am not privy to the details of Del Mar’s agreement with the architects, the fee paid for this project is not out of line for the scope of work such a project typically entails. Nor is this fee just for the design of the project’s layout and appearance, as implied by its critics.

Architects’ fees usually cover the many community meetings and environmental approvals such projects require, and the preparation of highly detailed drawings and specifications. (To defend the city from lawsuits and claims for overruns, drawings and specifications is much more complicated than it used to be.) The construction phase also requires monitoring by the architect to assure the city that the contractor has built what the city is paying for.

Consider that the two architects don’t just pocket their fees; they generally must pay from 25% to 50% of what they collect to general consultants for structural and mechanical design, and specialized parts of the project such as landscaping and lighting. When you start dividing the numbers of people these activities require by the time the project takes, it is no wonder that the latest survey by the American Institute of Architects showed mean income of firm principals--the top bracket--as just $62,100.

Draftsmen, who usually hold both graduate and undergraduate degrees, are typically paid just $21,000. On an hourly basis, architectural services cost far less than legal, accounting and most other professional services.

Aside from travel costs, Del Mar is not paying “extra” to get Robert Stern, whose stature did not come casually, but from a tireless dedication to the practice and teaching of architecture.

The phrase You get what you pay for is true with a vengeance for building construction. I hope the citizens of Del Mar don’t succumb to the critics, who appear to have their own agenda.

JAMES S. RUSSELL, Senior Editor, Architectural Record