A World-Class Pritzker Prize winning Architect that I had the privilege of working with a few years ago posted the following comments about my involvement on the project:
"I have worked with Paolo Benedetti on a large multi-million dollar project. He was ALWAYS looking out for the client's best interest. When he observed trades (outside of his area of control) performing substandard work, he would bring it to my attention (as the Project Architect). He would have always done his "homework," so he was not "speaking out of school."
I found that this made it easy to make corrections & to "educate" the trades people performing the work. In a few cases, we even changed our installation specifications.
As a member of a large estate "build out" and design team, he made some very creative suggestions for other areas of the projects. Ideas that I am surely would have never been presented, let alone thought of. He quickly became a integral & valued member of the design team.
If you are shopping for contractors by soliciting bids, then he is not the designer/contractor for you. He brings much more value & knowledge to a project, than what can be reduced to dollars & cents.
If he ever showed the interest in being an "Owner's Representative" for an estate build-out project, he'd be on my short list. He is a true artist, with a detailed eye, knowledgeable on multiple trade's practices, and a stickler for doing things the right way (which is not always the easiest way!).
Because he is a General Contractor and a Swimming Pool Contractor, we used his firm to install an indoor "spa room" and water features, and to consult with indoor waterproofing practices. He also build the outdoor living spaces, pools, spas, fountains, fireplaces & outdoor kitchen areas.
My firm had already designed the entire estate (buildings, grounds, & swimming pools), when Paolo was brought into the project by the client. Paolo was tactful when making suggestions about changes to the design. Though I was reluctant at first, he made a number of observations (about the site & client's lifestyle) that warranted a TOTAL REDESIGN of the pool area.
We prepared our own concepts, had he fallen flat on his face. But much to my surprise, his concept presentation fit perfectly with the architecture of the buildings. AND, he stayed true to the theme of the estate/project. I endorsed his concepts and let him play out his plan.
In the end, it was a WIN-WIN for the client. I learned a lot about swimming pools, their proper design and construction.
I also came to the realization that there is truth to the saying, "you get what you (are willing to) pay for." I never knew that there were artisans in the swimming pool industry that cares so much about what they do. He really took pride in everything that he touched.
The client could not stop singing his praises. And, I will definitely utilize his services when my firm is called upon to design another outdoor living area and/or swimming pools."
So what are you waiting for... call me @ (408) 776-8220 and schedule your initial consultation.Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com
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