95
BBH Architects Working with an architect for your home
Working with an architect will provide you with a home that adds value and improves your quality of life. In this exclusive feature by the Royal Institute of British Architects, we provide your guide to finding, appointing and working with the right architect.
W
hy would you work with an architect? Well employing someone to design or remodel and build your most valuable asset is likely
to be a nerve-racking experience, so unless your project is very simple it makes sense to talk to an architect for advice before you get going. Choosing a Chartered Practice, accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), will give you peace of mind. They comply with strict criteria covering insurance, health and safety and quality management systems. RIBA Chartered Practices are highly skilled and professionally trained to turn your aspirations into reality, whether you’re adapting your current home or building the dream house. They apply impartial and creative thinking to projects large and small and will guide you through the design, planning and construction process. So where do you start? Before
Once you’ve set your initial project brief and budget,
We wanted to solve the practical problems and create something beautiful in the process.
it’s a good time to start your search. The RIBA’s Find an Architect service helps you create your own shortlist from over 3,000 Chartered Practices and 40,000 projects.
www.architecture.com/FindanArchitect. It’s also a good idea to ask around locally as most architects get their work by recommendation. There is a huge advantage to choosing a local architect or an architect with experience of working in the area of your project because they are likely to have built up valuable relationships, specifically with the local planning department. You can also use Find an Architect to check if the practice is registered with the RIBA. When you’ve got a shortlist
contacting an architect, you will need to draw up a project brief. This is your wish-list for the project and should focus on what you want to achieve. Try to think in terms of how you will use the space now and in the future, rather than what needs to be built. You should also try to establish your overall budget as this will help you discuss costs up front with the architect and avoid disappointment at a later stage.
Geoff Sellick (Before - above)
together it’s time to talk to an architect. The first conversation is usually free so it pays to look around for the right practice. This is your opportunity to find out more about the architect and to assess if they are the right fit for your project. Most architects also offer one-off
consultations and these can be incredibly useful. For a smaller fee an architect will give you guidance on all aspects of your project from design and cost through to planning and construction. In a short space of time you can gain an enormous amount of valuable information which will help you realise your project.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148