Interview: Southstudio Architects

EXPERT INTERVIEW

Working with an architect

Ever wondered how architects work? And if you are considering working with a professional architect, what kind of questions you need to ask. In this interview with Patrick Bankhead SOUTHSTUDIO ARCHITECTS we answer these questions and more.

When a residential client first makes contact, what are the questions they should be asking an architect? They should be trying to understand what level of experience the architect has with the type of property you have got. Some domestic architects focus on really high-end properties whereas some are much better at dealing with smaller conversions and back extensions. You must make sure you have someone who is in the right area and has the right experience. Ask them if they would be happy to share some references from previous clients. That way, you get to hear the opinion straight from the horse’s mouth and someone who has been through the process of working with that architect, which is vital. If they are not forthcoming about this, that might suggest that they don’t have a track record of keeping their clients’ happy.

So in summary, ensure that your architect has the experience and an aptitude for the particular project that you’ve got and I would also ask, who it is that you will be typically dealing with throughout the project? Maybe, in a bigger firm, there is a kind of ‘strong figure’ in charge and that person might disappear off into the shadows quite quickly, so it is important to make sure you have someone with experience who is holding your hand all the way through.

Does the personality of the client have a bearing on your process? Yes, very much so. I think that the best clients are engaged clients. That means that they have a clear idea of what they are trying to achieve, but they don’t necessarily have a picture of what that looks like. And in fact, I do know that they don’t have a clear picture of what that looks like because that is why they come to us, to provide that creative leap of imagination. The relationship and chemistry between the architect and the client is vital, and if it’s not there, it probably won’t be a great project.

It might not go wrong but it may be a bit flat in terms of the result. So, first of all, we meet the client or speak to each other over the phone, which is the first opportunity to sound each other out, and sometimes it’s clear even at that point that it’s not the right relationship and so we wouldn’t go any further. We would also then propose having an initial concept-design stage, which is paid for fixed fee, and that allows the client to have a period where they are engaging directly with the architect, they are getting initial designs and if they feel that by the end of that period, it has not really clicked, then they can move on. Essentially, there is no commitment on day one for the entire project.

When do you feel the position of UK architects is at the moment in contemporary Britain, compared to Northern Europe? At the domestic level, I think that the UK is slightly different because we, for whatever reason, seem to look to the past much more than other countries, and so the value of contemporary architecture, sure people appreciate it, but I don’t think it is put on the same pedestal that it might be in other countries. I don’t think it is a bad thing that we look to the past, perhaps more than other countries, but it means that the role is slightly different. And so a lot of what we do is perhaps less seen than dramatic, high-quality contemporary architecture. And, I would also say that we have had European clients and the professionals respect that the view of architecture is very different in terms of how your opinion is managed; and I think actually, that it’s a sort of key thing which is trusting the decisions you make as a client to employ an experienced professional. You look at someone’s track record, you interview them, you talk to their previous clients and you make a decision. But then, I think that some people get cold-feet at certain stages and they should trust their decision a little bit more. You know, you wouldn’t tell your dentist how to pull your teeth out. And I must say, our best client relationships have come about where the client has trusted us, and every project has its tricky moments but that trust, of course we have to earn it, but that trust can often save the day.

What words of encouragement would you give to a homeowner or a developer who is hesitating on making that first call to an architect? First of all, don’t be scared, there is nothing to lose by having the initial conversations and getting people around. Most people wouldn’t consider charging, and I don’t think you should pay someone just to come around and do a consultation. You might even get some initial conceptual sketches, just to give you an idea of what the architect has in mind, or certainly there would be a conversation which helps you see where the project will go. I would also say as words of encouragement that, particularly in the last 6 months, people have been forced to engage much more with their living spaces and understand the value of what those living spaces can bring to them, if they are wellthought-out, in terms of being uplifting, inspiring places to be. So, what a good architect brings in terms of a transformation of your project, rather than just phoning up a builder, is quite significant, and it will be the best decision you’ll ever make.