Our Austin Architects Explain the Dos and Don’ts of Working With Your Architecture Design Team

At our architecture firm in Austin, Texas, our team has the opportunity to work with some fantastic clients. In some of our initial meetings, our clients ask what they can do to get the most out of working with us. Our advice is always to exercise clear communication and trust the process. However, it is not uncommon to encounter some bumps along the way. To help those new to the process, we explain the dos and don’ts so you can learn how to get the most out of working with your architect.

12 Tips to Get the Most Out of Working With Your Architect

The task of planning your first remodel or building your first house is no easy feat. But, your architecture team is here to help! Here are 12 important tips to get the most out of working with your architect and contribute to the design process.

1. Determine Your Architectural Style

Before you embark on the design journey, you need to determine which architectural style is right for you. Having a clear style in mind and knowing the components that create the look will make it easier to discuss your vision with your architecture team. If you like multiple elements from different styles, that’s ok! Bring them all to the table and allow your architect to find a common link between them.

2. Select an Architecture Firm That Can Design in Your Style

Once you have a general design style in mind, find an architecture firm specializing in the type of home you want to build or renovate. At DK Studio, we believe in design for the spirit. So, we design in various residential styles that meet our clients’ unique needs. We can create everything from Craft Revival to Mission to Cottage to Modern and everything in between. If you don’t know your exact style, we have the experience to help guide you to it.

3. Learn the Phases of the Design Process

Design is not a quick or easy process, but your team of architects is there to help you every step of the way. Before embarking on the journey, familiarize yourself with the 5 phases of design to know what to expect. As the client, you will have a larger role in some initial steps. Learn where you can contribute, and don’t be afraid to ask questions throughout each stage.

4. Choose an Architect You Get Along With

On average, it takes six to nine months to build a house. However, the process can last well over a year, depending on the scale, deliverables, custom features, and changes to the plan. In other words, expect to regularly meet with your architects for the next year or so! Because the design process is extensive and collaborative, it is crucial you choose a team you get along with. Make sure your personalities work well together in the initial meetings. Some homeowners prefer the benefits of working with a small architecture firm like ours because we can provide that personal touch.

5. Determine Your Budget and Goals Early On

Determine your budget and goals before your initial meeting with your design team. In order to build a successful foundation for the project, you need to know the site you are working with, your budget, and your must-haves. From there, your team can help design a plan and make further recommendations based on your design style and lifestyle. Don’t let your architect design your dream house only to cut the budget in half after they’re done. This will just lead to disappointment for all.

6. Share Inspiration Images With Your Architecture Team

Chances are, your architecture team is a group of visual learners! The best way to communicate your vision and style is to share inspiration images with your architect. Pictures have a greater impact than words, especially since different phrases mean different things to different people. For example, saying you like the color blue could mean you like anything from navy to teal to periwinkle. Instead, bring your favorite color swatches to the meeting. Visuals will help your architecture team target your design style faster and with less back and forth.

7. Tell Your Architect About Your Lifestyle

As architects, we discuss so much about our clients’ daily lives. Your architecture team will ask what seems like a bunch of mundane questions. Make sure you give thorough answers! Learning about your life will help us decide if a single or two-story home better fits your lifestyle, if you would like a home gym, or if you could benefit from a separate home office. Don’t leave out any details about your life because small items can make a big difference in the design.

8. Listen to Your Architect’s Recommendations

One of our most important tips is to listen to your architect’s recommendations. Your architect has studied and practiced design for years, and they have reasons behind design decisions that you may not initially see. For example, maybe you want a walk-in pantry, but an oversized kitchen cabinet would actually work better for storage and flow. It is great to ask questions throughout the process, but take the time to learn why your architect suggests something before dismissing or proposing something else. After all, we’ve dedicated our lives to everything from researching the best materials for your home exterior to creating functional kitchen floor plans.

9. Don’t Enlist the Help of Friends and Family

While your architect has studied for decades to learn the art of design, your friends and family members probably have not. Don’t enlist the help of friends or let family members redraw the design plan, as this can lead to some of the top design mistakes we try to avoid. While your friends care about you, they probably don’t know the best design for your house.

10. Don’t Feel Pressured to Follow Trends

At DK Studio, we design to fit our clients’ lifestyles rather than the latest trends. It is ok to embrace a trend, but make sure you really love it first. Trends like the modern farmhouse come and go, but our design decisions stick around for decades. Make decisions based on your needs rather than the latest HGTV craze.

11. Don’t Change the Plan Last Minute

Planning is crucial for delivering a successful design on time. Take the initial time to plan with your architect to avoid changing the plan last minute. Making a major altering decision mid-build can set back the project timeline and cost extra money. In the end, the last-minute change may not even be possible or look the way you thought it would.

12. Embrace the Process

As a client, you should embrace the design process but also know when to step back to let your architects do what they do best. You have a team on your side to help guide you and make those difficult decisions. Trust them on the journey, and you will have an amazing result.

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How to Get the Most Out of Working With Your Architect