Choosing the "Right" Architect
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ARCHITECT FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT
You’ve been stuck in the house, working from home for nearly 12 months and you just have to get that extension designed becuase working at the kitchen table is just too disruptive! Where do you start?
Some people are lucky enough to go on a recommendation of a neighbour or person they know who has had a good experience but most people probably start with Google and type in
“architects near me”
however this can call up all sorts of names and information. As you search, you might hit on a few links but how do you know what you’re looking at and whether what you’re reading is exactly what you want!
Here's a few pointers;
MAKE SURE THEY ARE SUITABLY QUALIFIED?
A good place to start is to look towards the profession itself
The RIBA is our professional body and stands for Royal Institute of British Architects. This institution educates and regulates architects in the UK and if an architect is Chartered (like me ) then they are a member of the RIBA.
Some of you may be aware that the title “Architect” is a protected title, so anyone calling themselves an architect, by law, must be on the Architects Register, however, this register is regulated by the ARB (The Architects Registration Board). Generally, these two professional bodies work together for the benefit of their members but not always and perhaps that’s why there can be ambiguity as to who you’re dealing with.
- If your architect is registered with the Architects Registration Board? This guarantees a certain basic standard of work, and means they will have professional indemnity insurance in case anything goes wrong and you need to pursue compensation.
- If they a chartered architect and a member of the RIBA. they are bound by a strict professional code that means they need to act honourably, independently and efficiently.
So if someone refers to themselves as an architect they must be on the ARB register however they don’t have to be chartered ie. a member of the RIBA. Work that one out if you can!
https://arb.org.uk/contact-us/
There is absolutely loads of information on these websites about the different aspects of architecture and design and it’s the first place I would recommend you should visit if you’re planning to go ahead with a construction project.
HAVE THEY GOT EXPERTISE IN THE RIGHT SECTOR?
Like many professions there are always different areas of expertise. Architecture is no different and so to start with you need to make sure that you’re looking in the right area for your designer.
In the same way that you wouldn’t approach a brain surgeon to examine your septic toe, you wouldn’t want to approach someone who specialises in complex hospital designs and multi million pound projects. So it makes sense to check that your architect works in the right field of design.
IF YOUR LOOKING FOR "DIFFERENT" FIND SOMEONE WHO IS CREATIVE
The images on their website or social media pages should also tell you whether they like to be creative or whether they are just interested in getting the job done.
Aesthetics and the style of their designs can often tell you whether they are creative enough for what you’re looking for
ABOVE ALL ARE THEY APPROACHABLE AND ARE THEY GOING TO LISTEN?
A brief conversation over the phone can often tell you whether they will be approachable or not and whether you think you can work with them. After all designing your home is a fairly personal thing to be doing and you’ve got to feel comfortable to talk to them and believe that they are going to listen to your ideas and to what you’re saying
