04. Pre-Design
First step in being my own client.
As soon as this property was on my radar, I was thinking about designs. How could we remodel, expand, and edit to make this place better? I made a 3D model, I tested out some ideas and generated a few quick renders.
A better first step
It was fun, but —frankly— a bit premature. I suppose it was helpful as a gut check to see if I could come up with something I like, but I should have had more confidence in my skills as an architect. Of course I can!
What should I have done instead?
What would I have told my clients to do? Take a step back and answer some basic questions.
Pre-Design Consultation
The very first step I take on nearly every project is a Pre-Design Consultation. Here is the blurb that I share with my clients:
During a Pre-Design Consultation, we discuss your project needs, budget, and schedule. I share a booklet that describes the typical design and construction process and how an architect may help. After this initial meeting, I prepare a brief document tailored to your project. This document includes my perspective on the project’s potential and rough estimates of construction costs. With this brief, you will be better able to decide about next steps and if the project would benefit from my full services.
I begin these consultations by asking what my clients what they want to do. I am looking for answers to these questions:
Needs
What do you want to do? Why do you want to build? How motivated are you to finish?
Budget
How much do you want to spend? Do you need help with figuring out a budget?
Schedule
When would you want to move in? Do you need the house for a specific event? When are you ready for construction to begin?
Our results
Is our project within budget? No. Do I want to start construction within the next year? Some yes, some no. Do I need help designing? I hope not. By these accounts, we should not be starting this project. Nor are we. At this point we are fixing hazards and dreaming of future solutions. The house in its current state is adequate for our family. Would I like it to be better? Absolutely! Could we never do any improvement and be happy here? Of course.
Wants not needs
But sometimes the questions are not about needs, but wants. We want a family home with a private bedroom for everyone. We want separate, dedicated space for each of our offices. We want an amazing connection to the outdoors. We want to refine our rough around the edges property and turn it into something magnificent.
My next step is to take my own advice. What follows Pre-Design? Schematic Design. More on that in a future post!