Wol

Having started off some 6 weeks ago with an architect we are wondering just what Australian architects do!

Until a couple of days ago we had no ketches or suggestions - or anything in fact. We now have some sketches of a suggested layout which bears no relation to our requirements and answers none of our questions.

We are thinking that an architectural draftsman would be a better idea for translating our own fairly detailed ideas into a practical build.

Has anyone any hepful ideas on this?

Hutch

Have asked my BiL for you. He's going to ask around - I'll let you know what's said

welshpom

We're using an architect to build our house. Ask yours why (s)he came up with the suggestions and air your concerns. If the architect can't convince you (s)he's got it right and won't offer alternative suggestions, drop him/her.

We gave our architect various magazine clippings showing features and finishes we liked - not finished houses we wanted copied, just nice room layouts and materials. He asked us for a complete list of what rooms we wanted and how much furniture would fill each room, plus a rough idea of budget. He asked what areas of the house would be most used etc. The whole design process has taken over a year, but it is a huge house.

Wol

Thanks for the replies.

We are seeing a draughtsman today to consider using him rather than our architect. We have developed quite a detailed plan ourselves, based on what we have had in previous houses and what works for us: it won't necessarily be what everyone wants but TG we're all different!

We were surprised to say the least that the architect has not once visited the site with us, mentioned budget or been able to answer almost any question we put to her about roofs, foundations etc. And, after being pushed, 6 weeks into her contract, to come up with ideas, she sketched out a plan in 24 hrs which was so far from what we have disussed it's not funny.

jad n rich

If your working with an architect you need to have a real rapport with them, unless your ideas, artistic style, working relationship are in sync, its going to be a unhappy relationship. Many also prefer you to let them do their thing, after all that is what your paying for.

If you have your own style and strong ideas of what you want try a draughtsman/woman, many will take sketches and visit the site and work with to the building guidelines of the state of course and come up with pretty much what you want. We do this for people all the time, however its far more expensive than popping into show home no 9 with regency facade in soft beige please but you can get an absolutely stunning house this way.

Wol

Yes. Today is going to be the crunch day: we will see how much the draughtsman will go along with our ideas. Ideally we would prefer to get the house built before dying!