Finding the right architect for you…

There are over 11,000 registered architects in Australia, so finding the right one for you might feel a bit overwhelming. Actually, though, finding the right architect for your new home or renovation comes down to three main criteria. Ask the following questions to whittle the list down to just a handful and hone in on the right architect for you:

Do they specialise in new homes and renovations?

Many of those 11,000 registered architects work on larger projects like museums, hospitals and airports. There are fewer architects who specialise in designing new homes and renovations. So, with this one criterion, we’ve already narrowed down the list substantially.

The best way to tell what kind of work an architect does is to take a look at their website. If you can see projects only the Federal Government or James Packer could finance, chances are they won’t be willing to take on your renovation project.

On the other hand, if you see a mix of a few impressive new houses, some school projects and larger apartment developments, this architect doesn’t specialise in single homes and renovations. So, again, they’re not the best fit for your needs.

Look for an architect that is clearly passionate about new homes and renovations.

These are the architects who aren’t just designing houses as a springboard to larger-scale projects but genuinely love creating homes for people. Finding an architect who specialises in new homes and renovations means they understand the huge time, effort and financial investment you’re making and can support you during this process. Architects like this find it personally fulfilling to see clients fall in love with their new homes. They feel it’s a privelege working with individuals and families to design a unique and custom fit for them. And they reckon there’s nothing better than seeing a family enjoying the home they created, together.

This is the kind of architect you want on your team.

Do they work in your area?

In the past few years, we’ve quickly become comfortable with the idea of virtual meetings and remote work. Architects are no exception; we’ve become proficient Zoomers, though we still occasionally forget to click unmute.

We even managed to conduct a few mid-lockdown site inspections via Facetime. But, because good architecture is all about building a (physical) home that is the perfect fit for its (physical) site, there are some parts of the job that simply can’t be done from behind an LED screen. 

There are also planning and regulatory laws at a local, state and national level that your architect will need to be familiar with. Plus, architects are registered at a state level in Australia, so there may even be legal barriers to an architect working across state borders.

So, while the world has certainly become smaller and more virtual, finding a brilliant Chilean architect for your project in Lorne might not be the best idea. It’s even advisable to avoid a Sydney-based architect working on your project in South Yarra. Try to find someone closer to home.

If you’re based in the same city, that’s a great start. If they’re in the same state they may be able to travel for site visits and inspections and it’s certainly easier now than ever before to manage a project over large distances, so it can’t hurt to ask.

Do they pass the vibe check?

There’s one final, consideration:

Do you gel? Do you click? Can you imagine toasting a glass of bubbles to the successful completion of your new home with this person?

Given how personal this process is (your architect will literally be designing your underwear drawer), it’s important that you feel comfortable with your together. So, do you feel like your potential architect listens to and understands your needs? And do you feel like you could get along well with this person over the next few years?

Just like any profession, there are many different personalities in architecture.

Some will be as oily and slick as a used car salesman. While they might say all the right things and they’re happy to promise the world, your gut tells you they’re trying to sell you a lemon.

Some will be uptight and pretentious. They’ll use complicated architectural jargon that sounds like a foreign language. And while their theories might seem intriguing, can you be sure they want to design you a beautiful, comfortable and functional home and not just an architectural (but completely unliveable) icon?

And some might seem otherworldly, like they’re cohabitating in a bohemian commune in some distant galaxy. They sound creative and experimental, but can you be sure they can handle the realities of this earth, like the mundane but crucial intricacies of your local council’s planning laws?

You really want an architect who has your best interests at heart. They will understand that to create the perfect home for you, you’ll need to have a strong and trusting relationship and, to help build that relationship, they’ll take the time to understand your lifestyle and situation.

They need to pass the vibe check.

If you have a chat (the fact they are happy to take the time to chat with you is a good first sign), and you get along well on a personal level, this is a great sign that they are the architect for you.

So, book a time to chat and see if we vibe!

Once you’ve worked your way through these steps, you should have a shortlist of potential architects and possibly even one standout candidate. From here it’s best to take the plunge. Choose the architect that feels right and then trust them and their process to do the best possible work for you and your project. You might be surprised how great your new home or renovation can be with the synergy of a great client-architect team! Good luck with your plans and here’s hoping you find the ideal architect for you.