Smart ideas: Briefing your architect
Get the inside track from Chartered Architect
Anne Owen of Anne Owen Architects. She
shares 5 hands-on tips for a productive first
conversation, based on 20 years’ experience in
domestic practice.
At the end of a first meeting with an
architect, you’ll want a clear view of how
they would respond to your brief and
whether their design approach and working
style will work for you.
The success of any design hinges on
communication. Creating a clear, shared
understanding between you and your
architect at the briefing is crucial.
2. Photos or pictures of designs and
buildings that you like can help give an
idea of your personal preferences and
expectations. It’s really important that
your home should reflect your unique
style and personality.
3. Mention small but important things,
from an heirloom table that’ll take pride
of place, to the view of the oak tree on
the green or the house number that’s
lucky for you. Design is personal: I love
the challenge of building in unique
characteristics that will bring you daily
pleasure.
4. Be honest and open. I don’t judge your
taste or the way you live. I want to help
create an environment that works with
you rather than against you. If you don’t
like something, say it! It’s just as valid
as telling me about the things you do
like!
5. If you’re not sure exactly what
you want, don’t worry. If you’re
commissioning a building project for
the first time, you may not be certain
what’s possible, permitted or realistic.
I’m here to help you with that and I
relish the challenge of working with you
to envision a new and achievable living
space that’s designed to bring you joy
every day.
Architects are trained to solve problems
in imaginative, constructive and ingenious
ways. I love to hear as much detail as I can
about you and your lifestyle and aspirations,
so I can come up with the ideal design for
you.
Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for that
first meeting.
1.
What would you like your future
building to allow you to do? Tell me how
you’d like to live in it. Do you work from
home? Walk the dog twice a day? Play
sport? Have family to stay often? Love
giving supper parties or host a book
group? Have a passion for music or
film? Need to create a safe play space
for kids or make room for their hobbies?
12 - www.refurbandrestore.co.uk
If you’d like to know more, I can share a
more detailed checklist I’ve created to help
my clients prepare for briefings.
Email [email protected] and I’ll
send it to you.