The role of an architect

[Lemna gibba]

We're struggling with the final stages of our renovation project. Our architect has been interminably slow, not explained the process to us and in our opinion failed to engage with parts of the design. For the last part, I'm not sure if I am being unreasonable. 

 

Briefly, we have a house built in the 1930s and extended in the 80s. We are altering the internal layout, building a front porch and replacing a rear conservatory with a single story extension, as well as improving the energy performance of the property. We want to run UFH throughout the ground floor, and proposed to our architect that we would replace both the uninsulated 80's slab and the 30's suspended timber floor with a concrete floor with an insulated concrete slab with 150 mm PIR that we can place the UFH and screed on. We spoke to a builder about the approximate price, and were ok with the price. Our architect has now drawn plans for building control and ignored this request and put the insulation on the existing slab. We have queried this, and he says that the scope of the floor lies with the client/contractor/approved inspector and building control. He suggests that I should raise an invoice with a structural engineer over the floor design. It seems that they are keen to submit the plans to BC without including our preferred floor layout. 

 

I'm a little bamboozled by this process. I do not think it's productive to send documents to BC that differ from what we plan to build. I'm happy to engage with a SE if it is necessary, but the builder didn't think that this would require this. 

 

We also will have EWI fitted. I would like to propose that this is installed down to footings with a french drain, and that some details of how it joins the eaves and the flat single story roofs is important. Our architect suggests that we reach out to a specialist to determine the material, method of fixing the EWI and how it joins the existing structures. I'm happy to do this, but I had naively thought that the architect would help with this. 

 

Our architect gives the impression that he wants to push this through building control and out to tender when presumably he washes his hands of it. I think it's important to get the build specification right before we submit it to building control. Am I being unreasonable on this? At the moment we have plans that don't have any of the downpipes marked, and have a roof joining a bay window the porch that we have absolutely no idea what it's made of. I can't see this information anywhere on the specifications, but our architect assures us that there is sufficient information for the contractor. 

[HughF]

Front porch and single story rear extension can both be done under PD, so just submit a building notice and crack on with it, telling your builder how you want the work done.

 

BC can come and inspect the footings for the extension and at top of plate, and at sign-off. Nothing more to be done really.

 

No need to do this work on a full plans submission imho.

 

Thank your achitect for his work, pay his bill, pass the plans to the builder?

Edited October 19, 2022 by HughF

[Gus Potter]

5 hours ago, Lemna gibba said:

For the last part, I'm not sure if I am being unreasonable. 

From what you say I don't think you are being unreasonable. The following is based on the premis that you have contracted with the Architect to provide a design that meets your requirements and a design information package that is sufficient to enable BC to confirm that, after making reasonable enquiry, your proposals meet with the requirements of the building regulations.

 

6 hours ago, Lemna gibba said:

I do not think it's productive to send documents to BC that differ from what we plan to build.

I agree. You could end up having to submit endless revisions.. who pays for that and who pays the Builder for the changes?

 

6 hours ago, Lemna gibba said:

I'm happy to engage with a SE if it is necessary, but the builder didn't think that this would require this. 

Now that is a good idea. Find a friendly SE and they will easily be worth their fee. Remember that SE's also often know a lot about the Architectural side and so on. The professions cross fertilize.

 

6 hours ago, Lemna gibba said:

We have queried this, and he says that the scope of the floor lies with the client/contractor/approved inspector and building control.

That I find odd as the Architect should at least be providing some guidance here. How on earth are all these different interfaces to be coodinated? What about condensation at the interfaces. Do you have a solum space that you need to infill to install the slab for the UFH? There are lots of things that fall into the Architectural remit.

 

6 hours ago, Lemna gibba said:

but our architect assures us that there is sufficient information for the contractor. 

From what you say it raises an eyebrow.

 

To get the best out of BH maybe post your design package after removing identifying info, you'll get plenty info here, as you know, which will put you in a better position to take an informed view. Just check.. the Architect may have copywrited it all so let common sense prevail.

[Temp]

For reasons I don't understand Architects sometimes seem incapable of designing things that I imagined were well within their capabilities. Its either ignorance or a risk/insurance thing, I don't know.

 

I'd get an SE to bash out a proposed floor design/cross section.  Give it to the Architect and I'm sure he will be happy to include it in the BC Application.

 

Likewise the EWI. Find a company or two and see if they have detailed design drawings. Might even be on their website.

[Lemna gibba]

Thanks for the comments. I'll engage with the SE who made the original calcs. I have contacted him directly, as the previous calc went through the architect. I will ask about the floor and also about the EWI in relation to floor level.

 

I can see plans of how to insulate below ground here

https://retrofit.support/detail/21/

It looks like they use XPS for the part close to the ground. But they mix with other insulation parts higher. Hopefully the SE can advise if this will be compatible with the floor. 

 

 

[joe90]

12 hours ago, Temp said:

For reasons I don't understand Architects sometimes seem incapable of designing things that I imagined were well within their capabilities. Its either ignorance or a risk/insurance thing, I don't know.

+1, not sure why you need an architect, your SE can provide the detail required by BC, drawings can be done by an architectural technician (cheaper).