BEFORE YOU MEET WITH YOUR ARCHITECT

17 AUGUST 2021

Designing a house is a very nuanced process – there are many different ways an architect can achieve a beautiful and composed design, however not every design may be what you, as the client, are looking for. It is important to take the time to contemplate what you are looking for in a house before you meet with your architect in order to be able to effectively communicate your desires. Consider your architect as a painter trying to capture the image that you already have in your mind; the more information you give them, the better they will be able to understand and reflect on what you are imagining.

START WITH THE BASICS

Starting with the basics will allow you to create a general framework  metaphorical outline of your house. The size of the house is extremely important, not only to the design but also to the cost implications of the build. Consider what may be essential and non-essential spaces you want in the house. Areas such as garages are inexpensive spaces that provide great value whereas cinema rooms are normally expensive and non-essential luxury andareas. Having spaces listed in order of priority will help your architect determine the best layout for your home. This is also a great time to organise all the relevant documents relating to your site, such as the Zoning certificate, DG diagram, title deed and HOA guidelines (if you are building in an estate) as this will have many implications relating to the size and design.

DEFINE THE LOOK-AND-FEEL

You don’t need to be an expert on building styles in order to understand what style you are looking for. The style of a house can be broken down into different generic terms such as modern/contemporary, farm style, country, colonial etc. These terms, although broad in scope, allow the architect to understand the general look-and-feel you desire in your home and help to guide decisions relating to the general form and shape of a building. Look also at materials and textures that inspire you. Noticing what makes a design look good to you will go a long way in helping your architect create those jaw-dropping features in your home.

CONTEMPLATE YOUR DAILY RITUAL

One of the first questions that we at JK Designs ask our clients in our first meeting is to describe how they like to wind down after work. Knowing your routine and daily ritual goes a long way in helping your architect understand you and how you use space. Think about the areas in your home that you gravitate towards at different times of the day and why you enjoy being in those spaces. Consider the purpose of your home and how it will best serve you.

TRUST YOUR ARCHITECT

Your architect is a trained professional who will have years of experience in achieving successful residential designs. Communicating effectively with the architect is the very best way to ensure that the end result will not only meet your expectations but will surpass them entirely. It is important to choose an architect that has a good reputation in the industry, as well as one who makes you feel heard and understood. This will set you up to have a very successful and smooth design experience.