WHY WORK WITH AN ARCHITECT?
Architecture is a highly esteemed profession for many reasons. It is highly regulated across each State and Territory, and the title of ‘architect’ bestows both a legal and moral obligation unto the professional to make their client’s needs a priority above their own interests.
I am constantly asked why would someone choose to hire an architect over a draftsman. The difference comes down to the quality of service you are after. Hiring an architect will give you a fully project managed service, that includes space planning & efficiency, functionality & future proofing, creativity & problem-solving, and finally aesthetic style & character.
Architects are formally trained and competent designers who are registered in their respective State or Territory. They have completed at least 5 years of study, in addition to 2 years of professional post-graduate work under supervision, where their hours have been logged and their knowledge and experience tested in a rigorous 3-part registration exam. Their experience will vary across all stages of design & documentation, project delivery and practice management; making them exceptionally well-rounded in their skillset. Once registered, they are required to achieve a set number of CPD points per year and to carry professional indemnity insurance to protect clients from complications that may arise in the design process.
Architects will give you:
Value in the service you receive, and the end product being a well-designed home with greater liveability and higher resale value
Innovation with creative design solutions for your budget
Peace of Mind that someone who is knowledgeable and experienced is handling your project and expertise in the building process
Architects will guide you throughout:
Concept Design Developing a design brief that addresses your wants and needs in accordance with your budget
Design Development Translating the vision into a concept that is cost-efficient and adds value to your project
Town Planning and Development Application Preparing and submitting applications to local councils for approval
Construct Documentation Processing building permits and coordinating documentation of other consultants
Contractor Selection Helping in contract negotiations and the selection of reliable builders
Contract Administration Acting as the client’s agent during construction by assessing and certifying the builder’s quality of work, and their compliance to the contract documentation
HOW TO WORK WITH AN ARCHITECT?
When considering hiring an architect, you must accept that any bespoke design will be costly, and it is incomparable with an ‘off-the-plan’ design offered by volume home builders because you are not comparing apples to apples.
Each site and each client is completely unique and should therefore be treated as such. By that token, an architect can design a perfectly suited home that will create highly useable and liveable spaces, while working with the unique contours and features of any given site, and orienting its siting optimally to maximise the use of the land and make the building relate to its context.
You might be getting less house for your dollar, but you will be gaining better quality that is uniquely tailored to your needs that will result in overall superior value.
The following are some steps you should take before you decide to engage an architect, to make the process as seamless as possible:
Be clear about the budget.
An architect is bound by law to work within the constraints of your budget. Do your homework and determine your upper limit so you can communicate this clearly to your architect at the earliest possible stage. Online budget tools and cost calculators can give you a rough idea, but keep in mind these are based purely on arbitrary low, medium to high level finishes against a square meterage rate - they do not take into account market conditions, site conditions or the logistics of a particular project. Ask your friends and colleagues who are currently or have recently renovated and have been through this process and out the other side, they will surely have plenty of advice on what kind of cost figures you might be able to anticipate.
Interview your architect
The first meeting with an architect will often be an informal interview where you’re both getting to know each other and seeing whether the working relationship would be a good fit. While the architect will be gauging you for your needs and assessing whether or not your budget is feasible, this is a good opportunity for you also ask any questions you may have about the service, what you can expect, and what the architect’s track record may be. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have about the client/architect agreement before you sign and formally engage an architect, to clarify any concerns about scope and costs to avoid later confusion.
Determine your priorities
You may find the news difficult to swallow if your vision does not fit your budget. It is at this point that you must determine what your priorities are and where they sit in relation to cost, time and quality. In this triangle, only two variables can be true at once - if you want a quality project delivered on time, you will have to pay for it. On the other hand, if you want a cheaper project delivered on time, you will have to sacrifice the quality. Having your priorities in order from the start will enable you to make calls easily based on where they lie in relation to either of the three variables. It will also effect the type of procurement you choose for your project as there are many different types of building contracts and your architect can help you plan for this at an early stage.
Find inspiration
There are plethora of resources out there that you can use to help inform your vision and communicate some of your wants and needs to an architect. Prepare a visual storyboard with cut-outs from magazines, or online photographs to help paint a picture of your style and what your expectations may be. These will be hugely valuable to your architect in developing the aesthetic for your project.
Communicate well
As with all relationships, communication is key so maintain this order to make the experience the most rewarding it can be. Make sure you understand the drawings and the costs, and if not, ask your architect to clarify for you. Your architect is working entirely in your interest and will want to achieve any requirements you have of them. Make sure any changes are communicated promptly to the architect but also remember that deviations from the original scope will often come with a cost so make sure you have everything out in the open during early stage to avoid disappointment later down the track.