Selecting and Briefing Architects
Choosing the right architect, and briefing them properly, can be critical to the success of a development project. We have an important role to play in assisting the client in ensuring that the architect is likely to be able to deliver a scheme that will secure planning permission and be commercially viable.
How we can help you:
Our planners and urban designers have a keen understanding of what is likely to be successful in securing planning permission. Colleagues have all the skills to determine whether a development project is likely to be commercially viable. These are essential pieces of advice the client needs to take into account when choosing an architect and design team.
Our Expertise:
One of our key skills is the ability to understand what is likely to evoke a positive response from planners and stakeholders, and what is not. Another is to be aware of the work of different architects and other design professionals – who seems to have a particular feel for sensitive heritage situations, who does particularly inventive infill schemes, who has been most praised for their office towers, for example. By putting these skills together, we can provide valuable guidance to clients as to the architects they are likely to find most effective.
We hold a library of information on architects and other design professionals, which we update constantly.
Architects are naturally creative and often free-thinking people. If the client wants to ensure that they channel their energies in a particular direction, it is imperative that a well thought-through brief is produced. Such a brief will cover many subjects – including, for example, accommodation requirements, energy efficiency stipulations, cost constraints. It is important too that it covers planning acceptability (for, if a scheme is not going to secure permission, it will be useless), and this is where we can add significant value.
