What makes a good brief?

[patp]

We must truly be an architects dream clients  After renovating several old houses, and being interested in all things to do with building, we were given the opportunity to apply for planning permission on our land. An architect was recommended, by a friend who deals in large scale planning approvals and developments, who would "go to planning" for us.  We engaged said architect to get planning permission for "a bungalow" beside our old cottage. We were not really expecting  to be living in it (too cramped a plot) but when asked our thoughts on design I just said "not open plan living". HWMBO said nothing! That plan was submitted but planners went against all precedent, and rules about "back fill", by suggesting we move it to the much larger plot behind our cottage! Gobsmacked was an understatement. Our dream plot had just been given to us on a plate!

There was only a small window of opportunity as the plot is outside the planning boundary but our LA was short of housing stock. Architect sent a new design to us while we were on a long holiday in Spain. This was for an L-shaped bungalow with integral garage. We just asked him to replace the garage with a large utility/mud/wet room and to swivel the orientation to take advantage of South and West views! Job done.

 

Mind you this site is causing us all sorts of head scratching  We will make some changes (dressing room between bedroom and en suite being one  ) but nothing major. Yet.