The Industry Pitfalls of Architecture and Design

Does design start from the inside out or outside in?  Facade or layout? Solar access or privacy? Is the cost the defining factor?

 Architects & Designers encounter and remedy this topic every day of their lives.

Every design starts with an envelope, width, breadth, height are the obvious.  Guiding the client through the process of needs and wants is a starting point, yet there are many more variables to consider.

• Style
• Use /Function
• Sustainability
• future requirements
• Cost to build
• Cost to maintain
• Colour
• Authorities
• Solar access
• Privacy

A huge combination of skills and knowledge come into designing a structure.

It is human nature to design a beautiful looking structure yet the variables regularly get in the way of true creativity. The dilemma of creating a design that ticks all of the boxes except the price tag is something we have all encountered. It frustrates us and it frustrates our clients.

There is no perfect remedy to this conundrum, it has hampered our industry through the ages and will continue to do so for many more years.

How do we counteract the likelihood of this event?

• Contact a builder?
• Work on a square meter ratio?
• Account for the predicted taste of the client?
• Use prior projects as a guideline?

It is difficult to

Experience is a must yet how do emerging architects get the knowledge?

I do not have a definitive answer. There are ways to reduce the likely hood of cost over runs yet how does a builder give an indicative cost when he has no plan to work with? Get it right and you will be referred forever, get it wrong & you could potentially  kiss the client and on going referrals goodbye.

I would like to throw the ball into your court.

What are the best ways to limit the risk of your design not going into construction?