Architects and designers give you long-term solutions to your problems and needs. And the essence of an Architect’s services lies in being your advocate throughout the project. Their role can range from designing layouts to overlooking construction quality & doing quality-check for products purchased for the project, depending on the scope of their service.

Since a lot of time & effort on their part and a lot of capital & time on your part are at stake, it is essential to have crystal-clear communication with your architects to get the best value out of your engagement with them. Here are a few ways you can develop a dynamic with your Architect.

Tell them about yourself / your brand. 

Your home can complement your life if it is an extension of who you are. What that means is the design of your home makes it easier for you to live the life you want.

You could be a fitness enthusiast - your home could have monkey bars and fixed workout equipment at places. You could be an art enthusiast - your passageways could be galleries, and the most well-lit space is your painting room. You can live the life you envision with a well-designed house. 

It is not just related to homes but also Businesses. The buildings in which a Business operates can be the physical manifestation of the business values. For luxury brands, it can be material finishes that exhibit opulence or earthy finishes for a sustainability brand. These are just some things on which Architecture and Design can have a tremendous impact.

That makes it very necessary for you to communicate who you are and what you do, what your day-to-day life is and if there is anything you would like to change. Or what your brand does, what are its functions and is it currently having a problem? Chances could be that these things can be solved using design.

Tell them the why, not just the what.

You might often be very tempted to tell your Architects or designers exactly what style of design you want or how you want your layout. That could often be rife with information you might have heard which would be unsuitable for your project. Your sharing with your architect what you want to achieve creates a passage of communication between you and the Architect.

It initiates a process of iteration to bring about the best possible solution, which can fulfill your desires while also being economically and functionally viable. While you might not be aware of the possibilities in which you can achieve the desired result, an Architect is equipped with understanding the nuances of the brief to strategise the apt design solution for you. Your Architect should not only understand not just your wants, but also why you want it.

Document & Share

Document all your exploration and research that you can share with the Architect. It is not just helpful to understand your preferences but also an underlying theme underneath them. It is also necessary to have the pointers of your discussion written down to ensure there is no confusion. Documentation also helps you to iterate and play around with various styles and have a timeline of your thought process and project development. 

Be transparent about your budget.

Budget is one of the most prominent factors determining how your project turns out. Underquoting your budget just because you think there will be over expenditure can be counterintuitive. Having clarity of budget helps Architects and designers determine priorities and possibilities.

The Architect might recommend a lower-quality product because of the perceived budget constraints but will be able to recommend the correct product if there is clarity in the budget. It might cost a little more, but it also has the potential to cut down on long-term expenses and be a fruitful investment. When you are clear about your situation and aspirations to the Architect, it helps them empathise with you and have much more clarity.

Understand that Design is a process.

People often misjudge the effort and thoughtfulness Architects put into making plans, layouts, models & 3D renders. Thoughtfulness goes into working with materials, lighting, site restrictions, and building code regulations. Architects take all of that into consideration while working on your project.

Sometimes, they misconceive your needs or suggest something you might not have asked. The best way to tackle this is to approach it with curiosity rather than limiting the Architect to your wishes. You can always ask them why they do or even do not do a particular thing. If it still doesn’t suit you, you can always ask them to make revisions. Freedom from stiff restrictions allows architects to be more creative and innovative, which always works out in your favour. Communication is a two-way street, and they will be able to make what suits you best only after many inputs and discussions into the design process from your end. 

Do your research.

That makes it essential for you to establish a healthy & fruitful relationship with your Architect. It could be instrumental in the success of your project if you do research based on the discussions with your Architect, as it will make future conversations much more seamless if you become aware of the technicalities and the processes.

The Internet is a very empowering tool but also has incomplete and inaccurate information. Information you find from the internet or advice you hear from somewhere should always be taken with a grain of salt because it might not necessarily apply in the context of your project. You can always take that up with your Architect for discussion, but it would be helpful to bring it up in a curious manner rather than an interrogative one.

Since Architects go through years of rigorous training to gain their expertise, it can be fruitful to allow them the possible extent of freedom for the best return on your investment in their services. These things have the potential to completely overturn your project from a mediocre to a successful infrastructure project. We at Graniti Vicentia believe in transparency and communication with our clients since that helps us achieve our best by fulfilling the client’s wishes concerning their projects. You can visit our portfolio and check out our work. Contact us to know more.