Why Should I Use an Architect?
Ever wondered exactly what you should expect a good architect to bring to your project? Read on...
Michael Schienke
25 July 2022
RIBA Architect of the Month, February 2022. Houzz UK Contributor. Chartered Architect, director and founder at Vorbild Architecture Limited. The company was established in 2010 and specialises in a "one-stop-shop" services including land search, budget advice, planning application in the UK and France / Monaco, interior design, tender package, site supervision, contract management and full architectural and interior design services, as well as specialist services like : site and property search, feng shui consultation, presenting our projects with 3D and VR designs - inside and outside, client supply sourcing, furniture design and sourcing and landscape design.
RIBA Architect of the Month, February 2022. Houzz UK Contributor. Chartered Architect,... More
There are the obvious reasons why one might choose an architect – to do the technical drawings required, to assist with planning permission, or to supervise your builder and manage the building contract. But there are also other, perhaps less obvious, ways a good architect will enhance your project and help to steer you through your plans, tackle challenges and provide unexpected inspiration. Here are just 10 of them.
An architect can…
…make the best of a small space
Small projects, such as this compact flat, are often the ones that will really benefit from an architect’s design ideas. They will be able to come up with some clever tricks to make it appear bigger, or help the space work more efficiently by using it for more than one purpose.
In this studio flat, for example, the designer has concealed a wall bed and hidden a full-width cupboard containing a tiny home office behind mirrored doors to visually enlarge the room, as well as hiding masses of storage (see next image).
Additionally, an architect is trained to look at the property overall and how it works, so even if your goal is just to enlarge the kitchen, they will assess the home as a whole. This doesn’t mean they will suggest you redesign everything; it’s more that they ensure you’re happy in your property, and they can provide solutions to other day-to-day issues you may have.
…make the best of a small space
Small projects, such as this compact flat, are often the ones that will really benefit from an architect’s design ideas. They will be able to come up with some clever tricks to make it appear bigger, or help the space work more efficiently by using it for more than one purpose.
In this studio flat, for example, the designer has concealed a wall bed and hidden a full-width cupboard containing a tiny home office behind mirrored doors to visually enlarge the room, as well as hiding masses of storage (see next image).
Additionally, an architect is trained to look at the property overall and how it works, so even if your goal is just to enlarge the kitchen, they will assess the home as a whole. This doesn’t mean they will suggest you redesign everything; it’s more that they ensure you’re happy in your property, and they can provide solutions to other day-to-day issues you may have.
Here, you can see what’s cleverly concealed behind those mirrored doors in the previous image.
Find a local architect on Houzz today.
Find a local architect on Houzz today.
…inspire you with ideas you hadn’t considered
The most fun part of a project is always the initial concept, where ideas are not yet bound by the budget and other restrictions.
Your architect will take you on a creative journey through different suggestions and views on how best to configure your space, while keeping in mind your requirements and aspirations.
It’s often through this chatty, ‘the sky’s the limit’ open discussion that ideas you may not have considered will emerge. You may even surprise yourself with the conclusions you come up with as a result of talking to a professional.
Architects who use our project management software, Houzz Pro, will have access to a number of tools that can help you explore ideas together, such as moodboards, 3D floor plans, and an augmented reality Walkthrough tool.
The most fun part of a project is always the initial concept, where ideas are not yet bound by the budget and other restrictions.
Your architect will take you on a creative journey through different suggestions and views on how best to configure your space, while keeping in mind your requirements and aspirations.
It’s often through this chatty, ‘the sky’s the limit’ open discussion that ideas you may not have considered will emerge. You may even surprise yourself with the conclusions you come up with as a result of talking to a professional.
Architects who use our project management software, Houzz Pro, will have access to a number of tools that can help you explore ideas together, such as moodboards, 3D floor plans, and an augmented reality Walkthrough tool.
…see the big picture
If you are fortunate enough to be building a home from the ground up, it all starts with the location. An architect will not only design your dream home, but take into consideration factors including access and views – both from and on to the new building. And, as you’ll know, a good location can greatly improve a home’s value.
If you have a terraced house and are planning an extension, a similar process is still useful. An architect can advise you on the benefits of where, precisely, it would be most beneficial to plan your extension, where to position windows and other details, and so on.
If you are fortunate enough to be building a home from the ground up, it all starts with the location. An architect will not only design your dream home, but take into consideration factors including access and views – both from and on to the new building. And, as you’ll know, a good location can greatly improve a home’s value.
If you have a terraced house and are planning an extension, a similar process is still useful. An architect can advise you on the benefits of where, precisely, it would be most beneficial to plan your extension, where to position windows and other details, and so on.
…enhance the feel of your home
There’s a Latin phrase – genius loci – that means ‘the essence of a place’. It describes the intangible, and an architect can help to enhance how a new building, extension or alteration should feel.
For example, here the architect has clearly captured the genius loci and used his or her practical experience to create this building, which is at one with the ground. In contrast, it could have been built with more traditional-looking solid walls, windows and a basic roof, which would not have embodied the natural soul of this environment.
There’s a Latin phrase – genius loci – that means ‘the essence of a place’. It describes the intangible, and an architect can help to enhance how a new building, extension or alteration should feel.
For example, here the architect has clearly captured the genius loci and used his or her practical experience to create this building, which is at one with the ground. In contrast, it could have been built with more traditional-looking solid walls, windows and a basic roof, which would not have embodied the natural soul of this environment.
…help you to complement your surroundings
What do your neighbouring properties look like and how can you best make your building fit within its context? The two houses here are not identical buildings, but there are many similarities.
An architect will establish your requirements, design the house, extension or renovation and, in order to gain permissions and also to make it sit well within its natural surroundings, will help to give it an identity of its own. Often, the best compliment a building can be given is from passers-by saying, “It looks as if it’s always been here.”
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What do your neighbouring properties look like and how can you best make your building fit within its context? The two houses here are not identical buildings, but there are many similarities.
An architect will establish your requirements, design the house, extension or renovation and, in order to gain permissions and also to make it sit well within its natural surroundings, will help to give it an identity of its own. Often, the best compliment a building can be given is from passers-by saying, “It looks as if it’s always been here.”
You might also enjoy What Happens When You Hire a Professional?
…bring your style to life
Architects are great at creating stylish buildings, not just from the outside, but the inside, too. Everyone has their own style, or instinctively knows what kind of ‘look’ they want. An architect, however, can help you with implementing your ideas and combining different (potentially clashing) styles.
This refers to both the exterior and interior of a building, as architects are also trained to be interior designers. For instance, the most striking feature of this contemporary room is the antique mirror covering the chimney breast, which is an unusual feature, but which fits in very well.
Architects are great at creating stylish buildings, not just from the outside, but the inside, too. Everyone has their own style, or instinctively knows what kind of ‘look’ they want. An architect, however, can help you with implementing your ideas and combining different (potentially clashing) styles.
This refers to both the exterior and interior of a building, as architects are also trained to be interior designers. For instance, the most striking feature of this contemporary room is the antique mirror covering the chimney breast, which is an unusual feature, but which fits in very well.
…blend the old with the new
When you buy a property, often the next logical step is to marry the existing style with what you, as the new owner, would like to add to it.
Choosing a trusted and knowledgeable professional who can advise on how the proposed changes would look if implemented, and perhaps take into account any historical features, is very helpful. An architect will explain what needs to be considered and propose new additions that will blend in perfectly or contrast stylishly.
When you buy a property, often the next logical step is to marry the existing style with what you, as the new owner, would like to add to it.
Choosing a trusted and knowledgeable professional who can advise on how the proposed changes would look if implemented, and perhaps take into account any historical features, is very helpful. An architect will explain what needs to be considered and propose new additions that will blend in perfectly or contrast stylishly.
…work with challenging sites
If you have purchased a site with potential for development, but where ground conditions are difficult or the environment will have an impact, an architect will be able to give you solutions and offer the best designs.
Starting with your brief and budget, a sustainable space for an innovative home will be created for you and then slowly brought to life.
If you have purchased a site with potential for development, but where ground conditions are difficult or the environment will have an impact, an architect will be able to give you solutions and offer the best designs.
Starting with your brief and budget, a sustainable space for an innovative home will be created for you and then slowly brought to life.
…deal with permissions, regulations and reports
These are the necessary permissions and paperwork that stand between you and your plans, from adding a dormer window to building a house. An architect deals with these issues on a daily basis and can easily guide you through the process, setting realistic goals (in terms of budget, time and possible changes) in order to ensure your wishes are met but are still compliant with any regulatory requirements.
Looking at this image, you can see a different-style extension set within a traditional garden. The extension uses similar materials to those of the house, and its size, scale and appearance are carefully balanced to enhance the setting. The design would have pleased the owners, but it would also have helped with receiving the necessary permissions.
These are the necessary permissions and paperwork that stand between you and your plans, from adding a dormer window to building a house. An architect deals with these issues on a daily basis and can easily guide you through the process, setting realistic goals (in terms of budget, time and possible changes) in order to ensure your wishes are met but are still compliant with any regulatory requirements.
Looking at this image, you can see a different-style extension set within a traditional garden. The extension uses similar materials to those of the house, and its size, scale and appearance are carefully balanced to enhance the setting. The design would have pleased the owners, but it would also have helped with receiving the necessary permissions.
…manage your project
Last but not least, home owners often employ architects because they’re not only trained and experienced designers, but also project managers.
Architects will have the necessary skills to drive a project through, keep track of timelines, oversee work carried out, deal with problems that arise – find solutions to those problems – and generally take the stress and strain away from you. With their technical expertise, you can rest assured your renovation will be in good hands, but you will be kept informed throughout the planning, execution and final closing of your project.
Tell us…
Have you found hiring an architect was useful? Share your experiences in the Comments.
Last but not least, home owners often employ architects because they’re not only trained and experienced designers, but also project managers.
Architects will have the necessary skills to drive a project through, keep track of timelines, oversee work carried out, deal with problems that arise – find solutions to those problems – and generally take the stress and strain away from you. With their technical expertise, you can rest assured your renovation will be in good hands, but you will be kept informed throughout the planning, execution and final closing of your project.
Tell us…
Have you found hiring an architect was useful? Share your experiences in the Comments.
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@AD Architecture. Thank you for your comment. Yes architectural designers in NZ have contributed a lot to the construction industry and we will do a separate article on why you should hire one. However we will always treat architects and architectural designers separately because they are two different professions with different qualifications. In addition, this article originally ran in Australia where there are some legal moves underway in different states to reserve the word 'architect', (and some associated terms, such as 'architectural' ) for people who have a degree in architecture. Therefore, in Australia, it is problematic to use the term 'architectural designers'.
I was a bit surprised to read how many people here were not happy with the cooperation and outcome when working with an architect! I need to add a positive comment here! We built a house in New Zealand 8 years ago with the help of an architect. It was meant to be our "forever home", my husband and I were 60 at the time. We had lived in a few houses before and knew our needs and wants. I had read many books about architecture and collected lots of photos on HOUZZ before we started working with our architect. I gave him a floorplan I drew which would work well for us and told him about our wishes (different ceiling heights in the open plan living/dining/cooking area, a u-shaped kitchen with a bump-out to get more light in, lots of in-built furniture, long views through the house, no long hallways and lots more). Our section was small and had an awkward shape. We were not allowed to build higher than 4.2 meters. We had a nice view to the south side (no sun from there in NZ) and the house would be very close to neighbouring houses on the sunny side. The architect came to our section and took photos. My plan was useless, because of the height restriction on our section. The architect then cut out every room from my plan and moved it around until everything came together. Working with our architect was a pleasure and we got what we wanted. Our house was not a cheap house to build, but the architect considered where we could save some money. We live in that house now for more than 7 years. We would not change a thing! Everybody who comes into our house for the first time is just in awe about how different our house is! I have to say that we did not plan for re-sale. Most people here think already about how much money they can make in a few years, when they are going to sell their house!
So nice to hear angelikagebhard, this needed a positive feedback. Many thanks for sharing, all the Best!