Tag: Guidance (Page 3 of 5)

The Secret Guide to Deal with Architects – Take 7

November 13, 2014 / barros / 2 Comments

Our 7th secret tip about how to deal with an Architect focus on the importance of the design process.

If you have just landed here do not miss our previous tips:

7. Enjoy the process

When you appoint an Architect you give her/him a problem to solve, a challenge to do. It may be a new house on a new site, it may be an extension to an awkward existing house, or improving a house layout that is not working, or a shop that is not attracting clients, etc, etc. In order to solve your problem the Architect will go through a design process that will consider a number of factors. Make sure you participate in this process by providing your Architect with a solid brief and by letting her/him know what are your likes/dislikes, aspirations and goals.

Hot tip: The first steps of the design process are hugely important, they are the foundations of your project. You should engage with your Architect as early as possible. If in doubt about what you want or need, ask your Architect for an opinion. Architects deal with a wide range of people and age groups, they may know better than you what you will need in 10 years time, for example. Listen, reflect and think. You may even realize you need to change the initial brief, but this is the moment to do it before the process develops to more complex drawings/documents. Remember to enjoy this process, it is often a life changing experience!

Go to Take 8 – Be Aware of Time

Start from Take 1 – Stages.

Are You Our Type of Client?

May 30, 2014 / barros / 1 Comment

At some stage, when business gets very busy we will have to start selecting our clients.

“What?!”, you say. And we can hear you laughing and scratching your head!

No, we are not being snobbish or picky, it is just that there are persons we love to work with and others that not so much.

In recent years we have been fortunate enough to love 94% of the clients we had. From these, we were madly in love by 53% of them, this means they ticked ALL the boxes below and we even became friends.

We offer a service of excellence and we want to keep it like that. Full stop. So we decided to put together a list of what makes our ideal type of client (in no particular order):

1- Passionate

2- Friend of the environment

3- Design educated OR open to learn/appreciate

4- Funny and relaxed

5- Honest

6- Will let US solve the (design) problems and challenges

7- Respects our work

8- Provides feedback (good or bad!)

9- Has a realistic budget

10- With a holistic approach to life

If you have ALL the characteristics above do get in touch with us TODAY. We would love to work with you!

And we know, from experience, YOU will love to work with us.

The Secret Guide to Deal with Architects – Take 6

May 19, 2014 / barros / 0 Comments

Our 6th secret tip about how to deal with an Architect focus on relationship building as an important pillar for collaborative work.

If you have just landed here do not miss our previous tips:

6. Build Trust

Build a relationship with your Architect based on trust and credibility. Your Architect’s duty is to always act in your best interest. An Architect has the most appropriate training and experience to design, co-ordinate and manage your building project, and you need to believe this!

An Architect that feels trusted by a client will definitely go an extra mile and you may even get some freebies along the way (most likely extra time not charged and extra care and passion for your project).

Hot tip: Become a friend rather than just a client. Open your heart and share your interests with your Architect (even if they are as simple as liking giraffes!), you may find out that your Architect has similar interests and what best way to start a relationship where teamwork is so important!

Go to Take 7 – Enjoy the Process

Start from Take 1 – Stages