What Makes an Ideal Client? Architects Tell All
For both you and your architect, turning your dream home into reality needs commitment, trust and tolerance
Unless you are confidently going it alone, engaging an architect is the first giant step in your journey to the home you’ve always wanted. So you talk, you hire them, they do the job, you pay them. But not so fast. As we all know, it takes two to tango – and to build a dream. This is a partnership, maybe one of the most important you’ll enter into. Successful partnerships mean honesty, trust, tolerance and communication, which can only exist on a two-way street. A sound relationship, robust enough to withstand the ups and downs of the project, is a must. Your chosen professional can fulfil your home wish list – but only with your help. Here, experts tell us what they love most in their clients.
Even if you have only a general concept, share simple sketches or images of homes that inspire you – they’ll convey a lot about your intent and your style.
As the project matures, the finer points such as choice of fixtures and finishes can be either left to the architect, or the client may be keen to do a lot of the selections, says Wyatt. In either case, compiling a file of features you would like – or dislike – is a great resource for the project.
As the project matures, the finer points such as choice of fixtures and finishes can be either left to the architect, or the client may be keen to do a lot of the selections, says Wyatt. In either case, compiling a file of features you would like – or dislike – is a great resource for the project.
Initial conversations usually establish the basics of size and scope requirements, such as how many people will live in the house, how many bathrooms and bedrooms, and how much living space. Two items to discuss very early are your budget and your timeframe. Have this information ready. Let your architect know the relative importance of these – if budget is non-negotiable, make this clear. An important task for an architect is to manage your expectations early, given restrictions like site, council regulations and your own budget constraints.
Wyatt loves clients who start the project with a reasonably clear brief of their likes and dislikes. But he has some advice for clients who come to a first meeting and start arguing with each other about basic aspects of the house. “Have a discussion amongst yourselves and phone me when you’re ready,” he advises. If you and your partner(s) are in violent disagreement over major aspects of your project, thrash out some compromises. Present your case – there’s a good chance an experienced architect may come up with solutions acceptable to all parties.
Commitment
The design phase takes time, sometimes longer than actual construction. When a working design has been agreed on, willingness to commit wholeheartedly to its direction gladdens Charles Wright’s heart. A veteran of over 150 projects, the Palaestra Design Workshop architect says: “I’ve been involved in projects where the design direction changed each month with the arrival of European Vogue.” An abrupt about-face midway through a project when you decide you want a modern open-plan box instead of a French Provincial villa won’t go down well and will affect your budget adversely.
The design phase takes time, sometimes longer than actual construction. When a working design has been agreed on, willingness to commit wholeheartedly to its direction gladdens Charles Wright’s heart. A veteran of over 150 projects, the Palaestra Design Workshop architect says: “I’ve been involved in projects where the design direction changed each month with the arrival of European Vogue.” An abrupt about-face midway through a project when you decide you want a modern open-plan box instead of a French Provincial villa won’t go down well and will affect your budget adversely.
Wright cites a project in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains as an example of client commitment. “After the design phase, the owners took the project forward through the construction phase by understanding the intent of the design. It was built with legwork and love.”
See this neat home
See this neat home
Trust
Trust was valued above many other things by our experts. Architects spend many years learning and many years implementing that learning and staying current. They love to have their experience acknowledged. “My experience and judgement helps me to direct a client in a direction based on my sense of composition, knowledge of what will (or won’t) work, will look better, last longer, and will be more robust and practical,” Wyatt says. “If the client has chosen you because of references from other jobs, then trust can hopefully be established from the very beginning of the project.”
Trust was valued above many other things by our experts. Architects spend many years learning and many years implementing that learning and staying current. They love to have their experience acknowledged. “My experience and judgement helps me to direct a client in a direction based on my sense of composition, knowledge of what will (or won’t) work, will look better, last longer, and will be more robust and practical,” Wyatt says. “If the client has chosen you because of references from other jobs, then trust can hopefully be established from the very beginning of the project.”
An area where trust is crucial is in taking your architect’s advice on suitable contractors for your particular job. Although you may have favourite tradies, a veteran of hundreds of builds and renovations will have insight into the best man or woman for your job’s special demands. According to architect Dylan Chappell, having a contractor and an architect who work well together is probably the single most important ingredient for a successful project.
Information
If there is ever a time to show your true colours, it’s now. To design you a home that fits like a glove, your architect needs to know who you are. The music, food, colours and artwork you choose, the car you drive, and the clothes you wear are all clues. Architect Elaine Richardson says although providing images and lists are invaluable, seeing a client’s own home helps her understand their style, what they like and dislike, and gives her a clearer direction. Relaxed, informal meetings on your home turf kick-start the getting-to-know-you process.
If there is ever a time to show your true colours, it’s now. To design you a home that fits like a glove, your architect needs to know who you are. The music, food, colours and artwork you choose, the car you drive, and the clothes you wear are all clues. Architect Elaine Richardson says although providing images and lists are invaluable, seeing a client’s own home helps her understand their style, what they like and dislike, and gives her a clearer direction. Relaxed, informal meetings on your home turf kick-start the getting-to-know-you process.
Let your architect meet the people who will be living in your new home. Many things about family life will impact on your design – your kids’ ages, whether you have pets, love to cook together, are sporty or movie-mad, even how your kids get on with each other. Andrew Maynard of Andrew Maynard Architects says of a valued client: “Our discussions the first day were not about kitchens and bathrooms but about life, art, politics, charity, the universe and everything.” Nest Architects director Emilio Fuscaldo agrees: “We ask our clients to use their stories and memories to express their goals and aspirations to help us create meaningful spaces.” He likens this process to how a bird forages for and collects objects to construct a stable, safe nest. By the end of the project, you’ll know each other very well.
Communication
Sometimes it’s necessary to be off site during a project. Keep the lines of communication open and always be available by phone or email. If you are going to manage the construction yourself after the design phase, Wright advises that you correspond with your architect to ensure there are no unintended consequences of changes you decide to make.
Arrange site visits at intervals during the project if possible, but let your architect schedule them at meaningful stages. They would probably like to prepare for your arrival, arrange for other contractors to be present, or have samples to show you and ideas to pitch.
More: How to Present Your Ideas to an Interior Designer
Sometimes it’s necessary to be off site during a project. Keep the lines of communication open and always be available by phone or email. If you are going to manage the construction yourself after the design phase, Wright advises that you correspond with your architect to ensure there are no unintended consequences of changes you decide to make.
Arrange site visits at intervals during the project if possible, but let your architect schedule them at meaningful stages. They would probably like to prepare for your arrival, arrange for other contractors to be present, or have samples to show you and ideas to pitch.
More: How to Present Your Ideas to an Interior Designer
You don’t need to be an architect to decipher the fundamentals of plans. Architects love clients who make the effort to learn some basic terms in their language. Knowing what an ‘elevation’ is and what you are looking at on a plan helps clarify concepts. This is particularly important if you are not physically available for discussions.
More: Building Jargon Untangled for the Average Homeowner
More: Building Jargon Untangled for the Average Homeowner
You won’t always agree with your architect on details, but if you want to reject an idea, give it time to marinate before clearly stating your objections. Communicating early about disagreements saves work and money. Keep the debate calm and courteous. Differences of opinion will happen, but architects have thick skins or, as one told me, “self-healing egos”!
Organisation
Some clients are hands off and happy to trust all decisions to their architect. But if you want to be completely immersed in the project and love every minute researching items for your soon-to-be home, set up Dream Home Central. On site, it may be a temporary bench in an out-of-the-way nook or even in the garden shed. Collate and file your notes, samples, contacts and graphics for easy retrieval. Your architect will appreciate your businesslike approach and enthusiasm.
There’ll be a lot to keep track of as you get into the details of fittings and finishes. Summarise main points from meetings and highlight tasks you have committed to, like tile choice, or decisions on a feature light and paint colours. Do these as soon as possible, but take sufficient time to make a firm choice that won’t change next week. Materials often have long lead times so don’t delay decisions unnecessarily as this can hold up other parts of the project.
Some clients are hands off and happy to trust all decisions to their architect. But if you want to be completely immersed in the project and love every minute researching items for your soon-to-be home, set up Dream Home Central. On site, it may be a temporary bench in an out-of-the-way nook or even in the garden shed. Collate and file your notes, samples, contacts and graphics for easy retrieval. Your architect will appreciate your businesslike approach and enthusiasm.
There’ll be a lot to keep track of as you get into the details of fittings and finishes. Summarise main points from meetings and highlight tasks you have committed to, like tile choice, or decisions on a feature light and paint colours. Do these as soon as possible, but take sufficient time to make a firm choice that won’t change next week. Materials often have long lead times so don’t delay decisions unnecessarily as this can hold up other parts of the project.
Pragmatism
Anyone who watches Grand Designs knows that a project completed on time is a beautiful mirage (but it has been known to happen!). Although contingencies are built into contracts for project duration, changes and delays are inevitable.
As competent and thorough as architects are, they can’t predict when suppliers will let them down or when weather will cause hold-ups. When the bare bones of an old house start appearing, unexpected cracks, shoddy construction, hidden leaks and insect damage all lead to unforeseen time variations. You’ll need to stay prepared for such unavoidable delays.
Anyone who watches Grand Designs knows that a project completed on time is a beautiful mirage (but it has been known to happen!). Although contingencies are built into contracts for project duration, changes and delays are inevitable.
As competent and thorough as architects are, they can’t predict when suppliers will let them down or when weather will cause hold-ups. When the bare bones of an old house start appearing, unexpected cracks, shoddy construction, hidden leaks and insect damage all lead to unforeseen time variations. You’ll need to stay prepared for such unavoidable delays.
This practical approach should extend to your financial situation. There’s nothing sadder, for everyone, than a project that grinds to a halt because of unrealistic budget expectations. Do your money homework with margin for error and, if possible, a Plan B should extra funds be required.
A sense of humour
There will be occasions when a sense of humour will save the day, so be well-rested and project-fit. In order to stay positive and mentally alert, this is a time when you may have to put some things aside in favour of your project to minimise stress and keep you smiling.
There will be occasions when a sense of humour will save the day, so be well-rested and project-fit. In order to stay positive and mentally alert, this is a time when you may have to put some things aside in favour of your project to minimise stress and keep you smiling.
If you are living on site during the project, expect mess, noise and inconvenience, and don’t complain about it when it happens. Look at it as a means to a beautiful end. Hone your sense of perspective and try to put problems in proportion.
Applause
Guess what? Architects are human! They take enormous pleasure from seeing your delight at the end of a project, so show them. Wyatt tells of a recently completed project and the owner’s satisfaction: “She said that she had had a vision for the home and that it had been fulfilled to the letter – that’s the best compliment anyone can give me.” When the dust clears, it’s a great gesture to invite your architect to a meal in the home you’ve both worked hard to create. Many enduring friendships have been forged in the fire of a home-building journey.
TELL US
Have you had a building or renovating experience that you and your architect look back on with satisfaction? What made the project enjoyable? Share it with us in the Comments.
MORE
From the Pros: 8 Design Habits of a Successful Architect
6 Steps to Planning a Successful Building Project
An Architect’s Most-Used Materials and Favourite Features
Guess what? Architects are human! They take enormous pleasure from seeing your delight at the end of a project, so show them. Wyatt tells of a recently completed project and the owner’s satisfaction: “She said that she had had a vision for the home and that it had been fulfilled to the letter – that’s the best compliment anyone can give me.” When the dust clears, it’s a great gesture to invite your architect to a meal in the home you’ve both worked hard to create. Many enduring friendships have been forged in the fire of a home-building journey.
TELL US
Have you had a building or renovating experience that you and your architect look back on with satisfaction? What made the project enjoyable? Share it with us in the Comments.
MORE
From the Pros: 8 Design Habits of a Successful Architect
6 Steps to Planning a Successful Building Project
An Architect’s Most-Used Materials and Favourite Features
Architects love clients who come to the table with something to say. Chances are you’ve been planning for a while and have a vision of your future home. Take your dream to your first meeting and bring it into the light. Your architect will be looking for a cornerstone on which to develop your design.
Architect Andrew Wyatt says that if clients have done some research and like the architect’s previous work, there is an initial level of understanding that starts a project off on a good footing. “It’s fantastic to leave the first meeting feeling great that you have a client open to ideas and serious about the task ahead.”