| Preparing for your Architect's visit Congratulations on deciding to employ a professional for your new house or home improvement. To help you get the most out of your architect's visit, Archicentre suggests that you print out and fill in this form, and give it to your architect during your consultation. 1) Will all the decision makers be present at the meeting? If this is not possible get the missing decision makers to list their main requirements here:
2) Do you have examples of what you want? You may have cut out pictures that you like from magazines, or you may have made a sketch or two. If so, present these to your architect at the meeting, pointing out which elements are most important to you. This will help your architect understand your needs. If you have a copy of title or a floor plan of the house, present them at the meeting also. 3) How much creative input do you need? Some people are definite about what they want done, and are just looking for a professional to confirm their choices.Some people have a rough idea of what they want, but are open to ideas from a professional. Some people are very flexible and want most of the direction to come from their architect. It is important
that you make your position clear from the start, as this will affect
your architects approach to the project. Do you have a firmly fixed budget? If so, tell your architect and ask if your budget pays for the most basic renovation, extension or new house. If your budget doesn't cover the most basic renovation, extension or new house, your architect can tell you so and propose a staged construction programme to suit your present and future finances. You may have a desired lifestyle improvement in mind as your first priority. Once you have reviewed your Architect's design proposal you can then make your budget decisions and possibly readjust your requirements.
By stating your position
in respect to budget, you convey your Architect the scope/limitations
that apply to your project. Your Architect can then design accordingly. 5) Complications! Family members often have different approaches to their home improvement or new house project. Differences of opinion are normal rather than unusual. It is recommended, therefore, that you discuss your opinions between yourselves before your architect arrives. Each person concerned should feel free to express his or her opinion during the meeting to avoid regret later. So long as your points of view are not totally at-odds with each other, you can leave most of the design worry to your architect, who is a skilled communicator and design professional. Sometimes household members' differing needs only surface when they are talking with their architect. That is why architects provide for a "design development" stage as part of their ongoing service, to allow for adjustments. This is another reason why the architectural approach is more likely to produce successful results. We are confident that the care and thought that your architect puts into your Report will help you produce a result well above the ordinary. Once again Congratulations! |