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Whose Project Is It Anyway?
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Schools In ! Join Our 'Hot Topics' Webinar on this link: |
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Jon Drane..Creator of The Renovator's Friend |
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(A School For Home Renovators) |
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Reno Stories |
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Keep Your Architect Honest Prepare your own cost plan
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Article on understanding architects by Jonathan Drane Whose Project Is it Anyway? Many people ask, "how come I feel like my home renovation project is not actually mine"? Their architect has either not listened to their needs and is marching ahead with their own design, refuses to bring the design under control or simply ignores budgets. The answer to this question lies firstly in understanding architects and the way they think. In effect you need to get to into The Mind of The Architect In an architect's mind there is usually a natural bias toward art over administration. In fact an architect is an artist who creates what you think is your new home. In fact it is not just your new home, but a medium for expression of his/her artistry. Just like an artist uses canvass, an architect uses your house as a canvass of sorts..
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I Thought It Would Only Cost...?! Blew your budget in the first few days!!? |
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Fail to Plan?. Plan to Fail Prepare your own family masterplan |
I Had A Dream..!!? Has your dream reno turned nightmare on you!!?
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| Don't Overcapitalise Use our 'Rich House, Poor House Method. |
Not all architects allow this bias to overtake the project, and in fact the most talented architects are those who can combine both the achievement of artistry, as well as your needs within budget. Form Follows Function? You should also know that there are many schools of architectural methodology, but one should prevail in the design of your new home renovation i.e. the discipline that the actual function of your spaces should take priority over the physical form that wraps around the spaces. Ensure that you understand how you want your spaces to flow and function before you talk to an architect, otherwise the architecture will determine the function and flow, which is not always what you need.
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I Jumped In the Deep End And Found I Didn't Have any Floaties!
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When In The Jungle In addition, when you start a home renovation you should realise that you are entering a whole new world, which you could liken to a jungle. In the jungle there are natives who know the ropes (like architects and builders), and who provide help along the way. You are the stranger not them. When they offer help and it turns out to not be like you expected in your world, don't blame them if you haven't taken time to learn the ropes also. Designer and Administrator You may also have elected (inadvertently) to allow the architect to fulfill two central functions of the project i.e. to be the designer and the administrator. Because of their natural bias toward the first, the administration function is suffering and even worse, if they are a strong character, they are now controlling a third essential function and that is leadership of the project. Moving Forward The key to solving this is firstly to accept that an architect is unlikely to change his/her spots for you. They have a service they offer and a process for delivering it to you. They may not explain this clearly but it is often the status quo. Article by Jonathan Drane First published March 2009 on www.jondrane.net this article is copyright all rights reserved .
If you are already in a bind with this topic, then here are some ideas*: - Issue a letter addressing your concerns with design and budget blowouts - if construction has not been contracted, then ask for a design and cost review with alternatives and ideas to bring the project within budget. -Suggest that you are contemplating briefing a cost consultant or quantity surveyor to audit the design for cost effectiveness. - Request that the administration function of the project be separated and made independent through a third party building consultant or quantity surveyor.
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Whose Project Is It Anyway? Has your architect got you by the..!!?
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Learn More About This Topic This topic is covered under the following on our web site: -our e-guides called 'Contracting A Designer' and 'Getting Started' see our Catalogue - Our 'Design Brief'' and 'Cost Plan' tool see Tool Kit - our Starter's Webinar
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* The ideas we offer are for assistance, however enactment of them requires that you undertake your own review, seek separate advice or brief a lawyer if the situation is extreme. We take no responsibility for the effectiveness of the ideas, nor are they to be taken as direct advice, as we are not privy to the actual situation you are facing. Each situation requires its own special assessment by you and other required parties.
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