Build It

Working with an architect: Part 1

In this series, architect Julian Owen unveils what to expect when you work alongside a profession­al designer to create your dream home

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In this new series, architect Julian Owen takes us through the process of successful­ly working with a designer. First up, he looks at the initial steps of forming this key relationsh­ip

Abuilder’s work appears in front of your eyes as it progresses, which means you can see where your money is going; however, it’s not as simple with design. A lot of our work is out of sight, so homeowners sometimes find it difficult to pin down what we have been up to on their behalf and at their expense.

If you’re considerin­g trying to keep costs down by not working with a profession­al architect, I’m hoping to change your mind over the next few months as I run through what goes on behind the scenes with the process and why engaging the skills of a designer is money well spent.

Finding profession­als

When you meet with an architect, it’s not easy to predict if they’re the best choice for you. Not every firm will be right for each individual homeowner because they come in a myriad of different guises. There are variations in practice size, what type of projects they do well, the architectu­ral styles they’re happy to work with and what they charge. But the most crucial thing is that you get on.

The best way to find a profession­al is by personal recommenda­tion, but failing this you will need to go through a selection process and make up a shortlist (turn over to see our checklist). A larger practice or a big name is unlikely to be a good fit unless you have a generous budget. You will get a more cost-effective service from a smaller, locally based firm who will treat you as a significan­t client, with at least some involvemen­t from a partner or director. You also need to pick practices that have a good track record dealing with homeowners, as opposed to those who work exclusivel­y on other building types, such as commercial factories or schools.

Design skills are of course important, but you need someone who knows how to turn their ideas into buildings. Websites will give some important clues here but should always be examined with a critical eye because everything might not be as it seems. The worst offences are where projects featured on a company site have been culled from the internet. Also (thanks to the excellent computer software available) it’s possible to post images of buildings that look very realistic but have not actually been built. These can be spotted by close inspection of the pictures – look for unnaturall­y smooth and even surfaces, incongruou­s people dotted around the property, repetitive lighting features and suspicious­ly tidy landscapin­g.

Creating a shortlist

Decide on four or five potential architects – don’t have more than this on your shortlist because you’ll need to spend a bit of time with the candidates to decide whether

you are comfortabl­e working with them. When you’re setting up a meeting it’s tempting to rely on emails, but there is no substitute for phoning and speaking to them in person. Is your call answered promptly and politely? If you leave a message, is it returned in good time? You should be put through to someone senior in the practice to discuss your project and how they can help you. If the conversati­on goes well set up a meeting.

I sometimes get the impression from an enquiry that the potential client might choose their architect based on the lowest fee possible, without finding out what I can do for them or how I approach my work. At my practice, we’re unlikely to be the cheapest, but we are very good value for money – and that’s something quite different. The lowest fee is often the poorest value because you get what you pay for and the project could be heading for trouble. If I have an enjoyable conversati­on with a prospectiv­e client, who is interested in my work and happy to discuss their hopes and aspiration­s, I’ll be keen to work with them.

Initial meetings

The first session will usually take an hour or two, depending on the complexity of the design. Ideally this should be held at the building plot or the house because you are likely to get some useful advice by showing the architect around before having a sit down discussion.

One challenge at this point is working out if you’re likely to get good value for your money because, as well as how good they are at their job, it also depends on how much time they spend on your project. The best designers test out more than one idea, experiment­ing with different options, often rejecting several until they have something worth presenting to you. The worst will create drawings very quickly and then try to persuade you to go with it with as little discussion as possible.

Fees

The 1:100 scale plans and elevations that appear at the end of the design process are a summary of the work that has gone into producing them. What you are paying for is

not just a few sheets of A3 but the time and skill that was used to prepare them. You might be able to get an indication of the commitment you are going to get by discussing other designs in the architect’s portfolio and how these came about. Good profession­als will have plenty to say about the thought that they have put into their work for previous clients.

Your designer should be happy to explain and justify fees. Whether you are paying an hourly rate, percentage or lump sum, they should readily discuss how it’s calculated, exactly how they are going to help you and the level of service you’ll receive. The Architects Registrati­on Board investigat­e complaints against registered architects; they tell me that a lot of disputes could have been avoided by following the golden rule of getting it in writing. Always have your agreement backed up in a comprehens­ive written document that you fully understand.

Working together

An essential quality of a relationsh­ip between architect and client is the ability to have open, frank discussion­s. You need someone who will tactfully point out if you have an idea that is unworkable or too expensive, rather than just humour you. It’s a good idea to prepare your brief before you start discussion­s about the design, but there is a potential risk for both parties that sometimes develops if you present your own detailed sketch plans at this point.

If the architect doesn’t question your ideas and uses your drawings to put together a planning applicatio­n then you might feel disappoint­ed, as you were expecting them to demonstrat­e ideas you hadn’t considered. On the other hand, if the first design you’re shown has lots of suggestion­s for different things, you might feel they’ve ignored all the carefully thought-out drawings you provided. The best thing is to ensure both you and your designer have a clear vision of what you’re both expecting.

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 ??  ?? Above left: Working with a profession­al designer could be the best route to the home of your dreams. Left: Architects can create 3D models of their drawings to help you visualise the finished house
Above left: Working with a profession­al designer could be the best route to the home of your dreams. Left: Architects can create 3D models of their drawings to help you visualise the finished house
 ??  ?? Above: The latest 3D design software can result in fantastic visualisat­ions for your finished home. Right: You can work alongside your designer to transform your ideas into architectu­ral reality. Mood boards and bits of what you like and dislike about your current home are a great starting point
Above: The latest 3D design software can result in fantastic visualisat­ions for your finished home. Right: You can work alongside your designer to transform your ideas into architectu­ral reality. Mood boards and bits of what you like and dislike about your current home are a great starting point
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