The first 5 things your architect needs to know about your house design.

One of the topics I feel we need a bit more clarity on is the information you need to share with your architect or the person designing your home.

We, meaning you as the homeowner and us as designers, have the same goal, to bring the home you have been dreaming of into existence.

All the information you give us will be useful, but for all of us to make the most out of an hour's free consultation (which is how most designer-homeowner relationships start), I want to give you a few tips on what to concentrate on in this initial conversation.

1. Needs

First of course, you need to describe what the project entails. Is it a new house or a renovation, number of bathrooms, bedrooms. Any new areas and descriptive characteristics, an open plan living area for example, or a large Walk-in robe for your fantastic shoe collection.

Remember not everything is a need, but it is essential that you also mention your nice-to-haves.

2. Time

I start with this because this topic is probably the one my clients are most clear on, but just in case.

Whether there is a baby coming, a special occasion to be celebrated (guess what, everyone wants their house finished by Christmas), or even a rental agreement coming to an end, whatever your time constraints are, you need to share these with your designer who should be able to give you some guidance once they have had time process all the information you are about to give them in this meeting.

3. Cost

This is a questions a lot of my clients do not feel very comfortable answering. For some people money is not an object. Some people don't want to share this information as a way to gauge what cost a designer or builder comes up with when they fulfill all of the requirements, and they work from there most of the time substracting, to get close to what their budget is.

It is also true that designers and architect find it increasingly difficult to predict costs accurately these days in Australia, particularly with varying material availability and builders and trades being in high demand.

This is why is best to have an honest conversation about how the budget is being funded, what the budget should be including designer, consultants and application fees and always consider a contingency of minimum 10% of the budget.

At the end of the day budget will play a very important part in determining the size and quality you can achieve in your project so better have a clear idea from the start.

4. Qualities & feelings

Yes, this is where we talk about the quality of your finishes too, but I am referring to all the other intangible qualities too. I like to ask my clients what they want to feel when they enter their home, this for me is a very useful window into their vision and their priorities always show up in this question.

Our homes are our refuge, where we come to re-charge, but not everyone has the same idea of what they need to feel relaxed. Talk to your designer about you and your family and how you spend your days at home. A relaxing environment might be achieved through a neutral or moody colour palette, or you might have a highly energetic toddler that runs their trucks on the walls like mine. Your designer should be able to follow-up with questions and suggestions to bring this vision into a reality.

5. Priorities

If there is something I have learn in life so far is that it is you can try to have everything, but it is unlikely you’ll have it all at the same time.

What I am trying to say is, only you and you family know what is most important for you, I am talking about your needs and wants, but also about the time, budget and quality. It might be that you want to do it all, but you are prepared to do it in stages.

Or maybe what you value most is a place to move into as soon as possible and youa re prepared to compromise in the other areas.

Make sure you share these thoughts with your designer.

Your designer should be able to follow-up with questions and suggestions to bring this vision into a reality. Choose a professional that you feel comfortable sharing all this information with, and that is able to gain your trust in their ability to help you realise you unique dream.

For tips on how to choose a designer or architect you can read this.