The debate…

[DevilDamo]

14 hours ago, mjc55 said:

Doesn't have to be (as I remember it anyway - its a while since I looked at this) as it is not a protected title.

It is a protected title.

[saveasteading]

In extremes, and all comments are welcome, it is like this:

 

Architects design for style and function. Then other people make it work.*

Technicians make it work, or can start from scratch for a simple building.*

Engineers do sums to make it stand up, but over-design  and are philistines.

Clients will always find more money.**

 

I say this through experience. I have had it first hand that a university tutor of Architecture told this student to stop worrying about how  a building works. Draw what you like and it is other peoples' jobs to make it work. In this example the student was moving columns a little in a 3 storey public building so that they lined up for structural (and cost) efficiency. And sloping the roof to an outside rather than inside gutter.

 

*A practice may include both these persons.

 

** an Architect actually said this to me when I said his design was not compatible with the clients' stated budget and there was also a  large unknown  he had not looked into. . ( I believe it went 25% over budget.)

[Gus Potter]

On 26/09/2024 at 18:22, BadgerBodger said:

I’m sure this has been debated previously and I’m sure experience is varied but has anyone just gone for it without a designer of any sort and what was the experience like?

Yes.. but they have lost their shirt and by the time they called me in it was a bit too late.

 

On 26/09/2024 at 23:21, BadgerBodger said:

The project is not necessarily overly complex. A reasonably dilapidated envelope which has previously had an internal steel structure installed to restrain lateral movement of the walls. The proposal is to install internal stud walls with insulation to form an internal envelope with the vision to achieve close to enerphit standards. ASHP, MVHR, solar etc. the new extension makes up 1:6 of the floor area and is single storey.  A central atrium. Is surrounded by a 3 story and 2 storey layout. There are considerations for ecology, archaeology and flood risk.

This is much more complex than you realise. The design loads are often increased, the steels coroded.. then you add openings.. large area of glass for example that are sensitive to movement. Often we want an old building to move as freely as possible.

 

Archaeology, flood risk can cause major design challenges that can massivly impact on your budget. For me I love this stuff as it is a big challenge.. gathering together what you know with the site information, fitting the jigsaw together and adapting the design to suit.. often we go back to first principles.. the SE stuff feeds into the Archaelogy.. the flooding.. it's fascinating.. and then you have to get that to work with a budget and still keep the Architectural design concept.

 

The best advice I can give is to go though each of your design team and look for the most experienced with the broadest knowledge. Then see if they are excited about your project.

 

This does not have to be the most qualified person on paper. Then ask.. will they fight my corner and pull the rest of the design team into place. You are the Client thus the big decisions will always rest with you.. but you need a good "wingman" that is invested in you and the project.

 

In terms of design cost expect to pay more up front.. as the design progresses you can easily realise £20- 30k plus savings on a 450k refurb or the like that will basically pay for most of the desing cost. Skimp now on the design fees and you will regret. well you may not.. often folk just blame the cost over run on the poor builder who has got to sort out crap and unrealistic design on site.

 

[joe90]

35 minutes ago, Gus Potter said:

Yes.. but they have lost their shirt and by the time they called me in it was a bit too late.

Well, as I posted earlier I did and not only didn’t I loose my shirt but came In under budget so could afford a huge oak conservatory rather than soft wood or UPVC.

caveat….it was a relatively straightforward design (of mine).

[stephanh]

Maybe the whole thing could be a little more 'you' if you actually took it on. The reason I say this is I have 'been there done that' kind of involvement. In the process of building my own place, I have always thought that I would like it to be mine, because if an architect took the process on it would not be mine, it would belong to the architect.

I have now completed a number of builds, green field sites and renovations. The designs have been mine, but some of the regs/calcs have been farmed out. I can live with that.

Having said that, I still haven't made pots of cash out of it!! Damnation!

 

[scottishjohn]

having had some expeerience of archeologists and listed buidling entranglement 

iwould suggest you contct them with a poutline plan of some sort and then await their comments and requiirements befor proceeding much furhter 

have all the artguments and get a plan of action they are happy with ,then start to do things 

example 

theo ther house that was on my ground that isold 

 was blisted -and inthe original reasons for listing it only mentioned the front facade of the house   and thigns 

once the man who bought got into it with them it totally  changed

now this was acomplete hosue 

and they were insisting that he replaced all the sllates with welsh 

when he pointed out it was amix of welsh ,scottish and northumbrealnd  and he was going to remove and replace them as it has been done 100yeyars ago 

that started the arguments 

 

in the ned he qwon but not a quick thing and if he had removed them all before agreement  he was pretty sure they would have ibnsisted on welsh all over 

 

 so be ware listed buidling  dept and get agreement on everything if you can before you start taking it down