HPH165 : Feeding back to our architect
Ben and Kay Adam-Smith receive initial sketches of their new home from their architects Parsons + Whittley. They then feedback to John over the phone.
Chris also outlines how this stage works and explains why it is so important.
Sketches are an inexpensive way to start the design process
It's an exciting time when you get to this part of your self build. You've briefed your architect (or designer) and you await their interpretation of the house you want. How close will they get?
‘Sketch perspectives' – as the words suggest – try to give the house a three dimensional feel. The ‘sketch plans' provide a two dimensional overhead view of the internal layout.
Feedback is almost as important as the initial briefing
All design is iterative and as such this initial feedback is the beginning of the process.
It will also be the first time the architect will find out whether they've understood the brief and have started to deliver it.
Inevitably there will be things that have been misunderstood or misinterpreted, and this is where the refining begins.
Feedback the positives and negatives
Chris says: “We always tell people we're really thick-skinned and you need to be honest with us once you've seen our first designs, but it's nicer if people do it politely rather than being a little bit blunt.”
As with any feedback, include what you like as well as what you'd like developed.
Keep feeding back until you're happy
The design stage is all about refining the requirements and developing the designs, and the feedback should flow freely.
You shouldn't ever be afraid to feedback. This is fundamentally about getting the home you want.
However, once the project has moved into technical design or even going to tender out to tender there will be implications of making changes – cost, time, etc.
Ben's sketch development so far . . .
Take a look at my short screen recording that shows you how the designs have evolved with our feedback.
Find out more
Visit the website of Parsons + Whittley
Follow Chris Parsons on Twitter
