Once you have answered these questions, you will be better able to talk to an architect. The more detailed information you give, the easier it will be for the architect to address your needs.
- Describe your current home. What do you like about it? What’s missing? What do you not like?
- Do you want to build a new home? Do you want to change the space you have?
- Why do you want to build a house or add to or renovate your current home?
- What is your lifestyle? Are you at home a great deal? Do you work at home? Do you have guests often?
- How much time do you spend in the living areas, bedroom, kitchen, utility space etc..
- How much time and energy are you willing to invest to maintain your home?
- If you want to build an extension, what activities will take place in the new space? eating? sleeping?
- What kind of spaces do you need, e.g bedrooms, bigger kitchen, family room, bathrooms, etc?
- How many of those spaces do you think you need?
- What do you think the extension/ renovation/ new home should look like?
- What do you wish for in your new home that your present home lacks?
- How much can you realistically afford to spend?
- How soon would you like to be settled into your new home or extension? Is there a strict timetable?
- If you are thinking of building a home, do you have a site selected?
- Do you have strong ideas about design? What are your design preferences?
- Who will be the primary contact with the architect, contractor, and others involved in designing and building your project? (It is good to have one point of contact to prevent confusion and mixed messages)
- What qualities are you looking for in an architect?
- Is there anyone in the family with a disability or do you see staying in the house for a long time, mobility problems of aging may need to be addressed?
- Is Green Design and Energy Efficiency of importance to you?
- How much disruption in your life can you tolerate to extend or renovate your home?
Now BAA has a very clear idea of what the Client wants and needs. It is also more clear to The Client herself, himself.
Architect’s Advice: look through Design magazines in your home or the BAA office and mark what you like with post-its.