Do you ever wonder if it is worth your money to get an architect to make your dream home a reality? After all, if you have been thinking about it, drawing it, planning it, envisioning it – surely, it could be enough to build it just like that, wouldn't it? Truth is, despite the common belief that the role of an architect ends with your vision being drawn on a paper, architectural services include more than that.
Surely, there are instances when an architect is hired specifically for the creation of the blueprint of the house, and that is it. In reality, an architect can oversee the project from the first strokes of the pencil up until the keys are handed over to the client. Full architectural services include multiple phases. In this article, I want to take a closer look at those steps and learn more about the work of the architect's office.
Initial schematic drafts
During this phase, the architect arrives at the planned construction site and analyses the surroundings. The client shares design ideas, budget and the purpose of the building. Combining all of the factors, the architect is able to draft the project of the building – the size of the building, the general layout, the rough design – and how it will fit in the environment. It is important that the client shares all expectations in order to prevent multiple project drafts.
Developing the project
Once the client has approved the draft, the next step in architectural services is adding all the finishing touches to the project. Modern software allows us to see the design in 3D, including “walking around” the rooms of the building.
Submitting all requiring paperwork
Paperwork, too, is an important phase in architectural services. Compiling various documents is important for getting construction permits and other construction-related approvals from the local authorities.
Agreement with construction workers
An experienced architect can help to find the best-suited construction company for bringing the building to life. Surely, this architectural service can be skipped, and the client can choose the construction services of his liking.
Following the construction process
In this phase, the architect follows the construction process in order to ensure that the project is carried out according to the client’s interests. It is important to distinguish the architect from the construction supervisor – the architect does not bear the responsibility for low-quality construction work.
Full-service architectural services are an excellent choice when the client has little time to spare to all the minute details of the process. Even more so if an experienced architect is chosen for the job!
Architectural services - a personal touch
If people are so different, why are the apartments and our houses so similar? Sometimes the architecture can even be predictable and boring despite the beauty, order and tidiness it offers. It might be neat but somehow lack life and originality. That is when your house is the same as the one of your neighbour, only the colour is different. That is what makes living in a certain neighbourhood so typical. That is when your home seems like a copy of other similar modern buildings that fit into some kind of box of style criteria.
One of the elements that can be admired in what the architectural services offer is the possibility to adjust the building to the environment - that means that the house will gain unique angles simply due to the relief. That means the possibility to use the environment completely. The architects take into account where the sun rises and sets, how the wind blows... Those aspects have to considered even when simply building a terrace - it should be made in the part where the meal holders' plates will not be blown away or their hair constantly being tossed in their faces making them swallow not only their food but also the ends of the hair...
Would not that be comfortable if your house was adjusted to your specific needs? We should learn to embrace different personalities, characters and interests. Let's take an example - If your lifestyle includes yoga, would not that be nice if architectural services thought of how to make your practice as pleasant as possible? That would mean allocating a special place for that - windows that face the side of the sun so that you could salute the sun as early in the morning... However, if we go with already made projects and simply hope that our hobbies will fit in there, we can end up disappointed as there could not be enough space for your yoga mat in that living room area where you hoped to have the place for your practice...
It also means building a home that is in accordance with your values A Christian family might want a special room where they could pray together or simply an area that is dedicated to the worship of God. For a Buddhist, that would be a special corner for meditations. For a non-believer, there still could be a need for a room in which to sit quietly, compose oneself and put the thoughts together. Whatever that is that is important to you, architectural services would include finding that out.
Do you think about sustainability?
If you want your house to be sustainable and use renewable energy and materials that are environment-friendly, choosing architectural services means having a team full of professionals who will offer a variety of solutions. That is not simply about solar panels - it is also important to create the best angle of the roof and set the solar panels in the best place to make their work the most effective and generate more energy.
If something cannot be used eternally, it is by definition unsustainable. What if your house could be as sustainable as possible? What if your future generations could still continue counting on what you have created? If so, that is going to be far more possible with the help of architectural services.
I dreamed a dream...
Whether you want your house to be more sophisticated in its design or have more clean lines - architectural services help to create a masterpiece out of it. That means a building that is vibrating in the harmony of nature and the essence of who you are as a person and your core values. Those are not just walls and ceilings that you can count on - architectural services explore not only creative technical solutions, but also take care of getting to know the client.
I would even dare to compare the architect to a close friend or a therapist - choosing architectural services means opening your heart, sharing your dreams and your values. Building your own house is one of the most exciting moments - that is an investment in the future and something that will remain after you. And if we have the courage to make something lasting, then let's make it as good as we can and not leave out the details.