Hi Janet
First, the usual disclaimer: all architects are different. If you are paying for an initial meeting, you can expect a little more from the architect than if there is no charge.
When I first meet with potential clients, I generally do not charge for an hour long "interview". For renovations, we tour the house and talk about what the homeowners want to add/change to the house, usually based on their lifestyle(s). I also bring a portfolio of work, even if the homeowners have already been to my website. "Napkin sketches" of ideas may be drawn during a first meeting.
The overall idea of the meeting is for compatability. You should not expect house tours or rough drafts of designs unless you are paying the architect. House tours are very time consuming and require lots of arrangements. If you really want a house tour and you're willing to do drive-bys, you can always ask for addresses from the architect at your meeting.
Architects designs are the result of listening to a client's needs, concerns and desires, and the style develops during the design process. An architect may have a "signature style" either by choice or by referral. Once an architect is known for a certain type of house, new clients will seek out him/her to build another like it.
Just as a pro musician can play any type of music, a professional architect can create any type of house. You may be surprised how similar a contemporary design is to a craftsman design without the embellishments. It's all in the details.
Susan
Roberts Dinion Architects, Inc.
