Guidelines for Creating A Brief For Your Architect
When you choose an architect, the decision is based on trustworthy recommendations and reliable referrals. It is important to remember that even a highly recommended, established architect will deliver a design based only on the information that you provide in a 'brief'. Including as much pertinent information as you can in the brief that you put together for your architect will ensure that you achieve a design that is as close as possible to your vision for your home. So what should you include in an architect's brief? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking along the right lines.
When you choose an architect, the decision is based on trustworthy recommendations and reliable referrals. It is important to remember that even a highly recommended, established architect will deliver a design based only on the information that you provide in a 'brief'. Including as much pertinent information as you can in the brief that you put together for your architect will ensure that you achieve a design that is as close as possible to your vision for your home.
So what should you include in an architect's brief? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking along the right lines.
Your Priorities
What are you hoping to achieve with the design of your home or the design of the extension that you are planning to add to your existing home? Your priorities, when communicated clearly, will help the architect create a design suited to your particular needs.
What are your priorities for the design of your home or extension?
Your Current Home - Its Pluses And Minuses
Is there something missing in the design of your current home? Or, is there a design feature that you absolutely love about your current home? Share these positives, or negatives, with your architect to help achieve a design that incorporates what you love and avoids features that are an everyday annoyance to you.Dedicated Space According To Function And Activity
Clearly indicate to your architect in a detailed brief if you need dedicated space for activities like a reading library or an entertainment room, or a space to function as a home office for instance. It is important to mention this detail to your architect because the placement of rooms can be decided upfront and be made to fit into the design seamlessly rather than trying to convert a common area into a space for a dedicated function like an entertainment room at a later date.
Which area of your home do you spend the maximum time in?
Time Spent In Areas Of Your Home
Make a note of the time you spend in various areas of your home and do the same for the other members of your family. This exercise will help you determine the areas that need to be focused on. Do you spend a great deal of time in your living room or your garden? Do you work from home and therefore require a quiet, more private space for a home office? Is there any area in your current home that you would like to spend more time in but don't due to design constraints like inadequate space or bad planning?All of this information belongs in an architect's brief. Share these details with your architect to help create a well designed space for you and your family.