Why do I need a design brief for my project?
Think of a design brief as the Google maps that you turned on at the beginning of a journey. It avoids confusion mid-journey. Like the app it allows you to cut through ‘congestions’ in the process.
Architects are not mind-readers, even if we are, minds change. Setting the goal in place first prevents going back and forth.
A brief is an evolving document, having it throughout the process helps adjusting your goals logically.
Sometimes setting up this goal can be daunting for someone who has not done this before. We have template of questions that guides you through. We often chat about the answers to helps to clarify everything as well.
‘You have not because you ask not.’ Even the smallest requirements matter in the overall scheme of things. Conveying them fully through a brief allows the opportunity to create a complete design.
How does a bulk and location study help me?
For us, the word bulk means a 3D volume in which buildings can fit to comply with planning rules. We do this to help paint a clear picture before the imagination even begins, it avoids disappointment down the line.
Knowing the number and sizes of spaces is helpful considering whether the project is even worthwhile financially.
Within this envelope we explore various design options to enable the client to make an informed decision about the development.
When should I get a budget?
Envision your project as a love story between romantic partners – the Budget and the Design. Start by gauging compatibility in the feasibility stage, searching for that initial spark. In the concept stage, let your imagination run wild, dreaming of the future together. Navigate reality by working through differences and staying focused. Once you’ve gained the support of family and friends (building consent and bank approval) and secured the right “wingman” (contractor), face the true test during construction. To answer the question of when to get a budget, initiate this love story early, right from the feasibility stage and maintain constant monitoring throughout the subsequent stages.
Should I read the specifications if I already know the drawings very well?
The ‘drawing’ is like the shopping list you took with you when you went shopping. The ‘specification’ is like the conversation you should have had with the person who wrote the list before you headed out the door. The ‘drawing’ enables you to get the shopping done, but the ‘specification’ helps you avoid an awkward conversation when you get back. For example, this could happen because the person wanted 6 jazz apples and you got 1 Royal Gala apple.
If I am already paying for an architect why do I need an engineer?
The way we build things has changed a lot since the old days of building cathedrals. Back then, one person, the Master Builder, handled both the designing and building, and it could take decades. Nowadays, things are different. Partly due to more specific requirements in building code, we have different experts in engineering who each focus on specific things. But, the Architect plays a crucial role. They help the client figure out what they want and turn it into a clear plan that includes how it should work, how it should look, and how much it should cost. The Engineers then use this plan from the Architect to add the more specialised technical details needed for the building. Throughout the process, Architects stay in constant communication with Engineers and builders to make sure the original vision from the client stays true in both the plans and the final building.
Why should I choose an architect?
Choosing the right people to help you with your project is really important. Whether you choose architects or architectural designers depends on how complicated your project is and how much you want someone to understand your values and goals.
In New Zealand, architects are people who are officially recognized by the New Zealand Registration Board (NZRAB). This means they’ve proven they have the skills needed to be an architect, meeting certain standards set by the board. This registration process makes sure that architects are held to a high standard, so you can trust them to do a good job.
Architects spend a long time studying, usually more than five years. This education covers lots of different design topics, helping architects take a broad approach to design. They learn to balance things like durability, practicality, and cost-effectiveness while still making things look and feel good. They’re trained to think about all these things to make sure your project meets your needs in the best way possible.
Architects are often there for the whole journey of a project, from start to finish. This ensures that the original vision stays true until the very end.
Why do I need an architect to check on the project during construction?
Once the brief is figured out, the architect combines what the client wants into the design intent. They carefully decide what’s most important, like the client’s wishes, where the building is, rules, and cost, creating a kind of roadmap. This design intent guides the design process, influencing both how things should look and the technical details, including working with other experts.
When it’s time to build, the contractor has to understand exactly what the plan is about and may need to make some changes if there are unexpected issues. In this crucial construction phase, the architect’s help is really needed. They make sure the builder understands the plan, and any changes they make still match what was originally planned without any unnecessary compromises. This not only keeps everything on track but also ensures the final building is built properly, always reflecting exactly what the client wanted.