How do you choose a architect?

size5

We have recently purchsed a house and are looking to a two story extension at the side with sunroom to back-lot of scope.

After meeting about 5 architects (approx hr each) none of them have really "inspired " us. We gave a two page brief they came to the house looked around and put out some loose suggestions. But they didn't fill us with confidence or enthusiam(or that they wanted) for the project?

For example one arthitect whom looked to have completed good projects (based on photos), when we met him he was very very laid back and was completly going away from our brief-which he had receieved in advance

How do we choose or have we not found the right person?
Apologies if this is a vague post but frustration is creeping in to get someone to start the project:mad:

Fries-With-That

Carefully :):):)
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I'd ask each one for a list of clients, that they use as references, ask can their work be seen ( don't go with pictures as they may be the work of someone else in the office).

Ring a few of their references and ask the obvious questions, the main one being, would you mind if we called for a quick look at the finished article.


The one we used listened to what we wanted, advised us if it was possible, planning regulations included.

She then drew a few sample plans, we then went through the pros and cons of each one, settled on the one that suited us best, made a few changes and had the final plans drawn up.


This is a brief outline of the process and it suited us. needless to say there were far fewer last minutes changes needed to suit planners, builders or us.

justflow1983

A good building designer should be able to give you what you want while also developing it further than you would have thought of on your own. Its important that you "click" with them and trust them, so I would keep looking. Look for someone with a good mix of residential and non-residential work, as these people get more mental "exercise" and should be able to work through your project better. They also often have a better handle on construction methods (but not always, there are some great residential practitioners).

Some architects can't seem to read to0 well, I would draw them a diagram of your floor plan. They should understand that much better. A few bubbles of the various spaces and arrows connecting them. Its how we communicate with each other. Good Luck!

DOCARCH

justflow1983 wrote: »

A good building designer should be able to give you what you want while also developing it further than you would have thought of on your own.

Yes - but you can't expect to have a design/solution from an intial visit or consultation. An initial visit is really about introducing yourself, explaining what you do and what services you can provide. It also obvioulsy gives the cleint a feel for the architect and whether or not they have a good professional relationship going forward.

Just to add, there are many 'commercial' practices out there who are not experienced in designing house extensions and the ins and outs that type of work involves.

Firstly I would suggest eliminate any architect you feel you didn't like or feel you could not get on with, then as FWT suggested, get a list of completed projects and client contacts from the remaining architects and call people to get references about their experiences and how they felt the architect performed.

It is somewhat a leap of faith, but if your architect is registered and has a good track record with regard to satisfied past clients and good designs, then your design should evolve into something you will like and be happy with (but it does take a little time).

Just to say that I can be difficult for an architect to organise visits to completed (domestic) projects as it is somewhat of an inconvenice people.

justflow1983

DOCARCH wrote: »

Yes - but you can't expect to have a design/solution from an intial visit or consultation. An initial visit is really about introducing yourself, explaining what you do and what services you can provide.

This is absolutely true, I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. Thanks for clarifying. Design is a process and may take a few goes, with good communication, to arrive at the right final design.

RKQ

justflow1983 wrote: »

Design is a process and may take a few goes, with good communication, to arrive at the right final design.

Thats very true. Alot of good advice above.
Why not look at a few local buildings of extension that you like. Maybe find out who designed them, contact the Designer.

Reputation & referral is very important too, so ask friends, family, neighbours or workmates.

Find someone you feel comfortable with, that has good design skills, understands your brief and you feel you can trust and get on well with. During construction things can go wrong or be delayed. It can be a very stressful time so make sure you can get on well with your designer / construction professional.

sinnerboy

No architect can respond to a 2 page brief - a text document without first seeing the site and clarifying and interpreting that brief face to face with the client . You placed unrealistic expectations on an initial one hour meeting .

For the breif to be translated into design proposals , that are meaningful - i.e. ultimately buildable - requires a measured survey of the house . Then proposals have to be developed over some time . As others have said - may take 2 or more attempts .

Never seen it happen first shot .

The BEST you can hope from the process you have gone through is a sense of whether you feel you can establish a good working relationship with your would be architect - do your personalities"fit" - do you "get" each other .

So look at past projects , speak to previous clients and commit yourself for the long haul .

Getting frustrated NOW does not bode well for your project - and I say that in the kindest sense

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size5

DOCARCH wrote: »

Yes - but you can't expect to have a design/solution from an intial visit or consultation. An initial visit is really about introducing yourself, explaining what you do and what services you can provide. It also obvioulsy gives the cleint a feel for the architect and whether or not they have a good professional relationship going forward.

Thanks for the replies. First of all we never expected a design/solution on the first visit. The only reason we sent out the brief was to enable both the archtiect and ourselves a better understanding of what we wanted making the initial visit worthwhile.

Do agree with your point Docarch (sorry can't multi quote yet;)), that really the architect has to sell his services etc with the visit. However, maybe they just weren't great at selling themselves.

The search goes on and Sinnerboy I think I do need to take your last statement on board

justflow1983

As something to help as well, keep in mind that you don't have to keep things local these days. Almost every office in the country has spare capacity, and fees have dropped. If there's a well known firm that you've seen in a magazine or heard about from someone else, get in touch with them.

Just be careful with trying to negotiate fees, if you push it too low they may take it for the income, but if they're losing money on the work you won't get their best service.

Slig

OP I dont envy you your task. Its very hard to judge somebody from a 1 hour meeting though. Its all good and well checking the finalised projects but for a house extension that can be as much down to the workmanship of the builder than the design of the architect.

onq

size5 wrote: »

We have recently purchsed a house and are looking to a two story extension at the side with sunroom to back-lot of scope.

After meeting about 5 architects (approx hr each) none of them have really "inspired " us. We gave a two page brief they came to the house looked around and put out some loose suggestions. But they didn't fill us with confidence or enthusiam(or that they wanted) for the project?

For example one arthitect whom looked to have completed good projects (based on photos), when we met him he was very very laid back and was completly going away from our brief-which he had receieved in advance

How do we choose or have we not found the right person?
Apologies if this is a vague post but frustration is creeping in to get someone to start the project:mad:

Your briefing process sounds restrictive.

It sounds like you may be micro-managing the process.

The person you're talking to has developed more briefs than you've had hot dinners.

The reason he isn't inspiring you may be because you've given him a low budget and no room in which to express himself.

So.

Start again.

State you intentions in the broadest terms.

Ask for ideas on how best to resolve your brief - do NOT start with;-

"We've like a window there, a door there, a radiator there and a rooflight there".

Trust your architect to proposed a good design.

But no architect will design to any level without first being appointed.

You need to appoint someone because no-one is going to put anything into a one hour meeting knowing four others are in on the game.

HTH

ONQ.

size5

Happy days we have found the right man for the job-why did he differ from the others?

1.-Commented on our budget;
2. e-mailed us plans for the existing house (which he got from Fingal-not sure how as I wasn't able to!), and pointed out some plans;
3-was the only one that actually got up into the attic and measured its height and told us what we could or couldn't do;
4-Asked an lot of questions that made us think.

So a good day and cheers for all the advise:):)

sinnerboy

Great - keep in touch as things progress

justflow1983

Good luck!