Opinder Liddar takes a closer look at some of the common misconceptions associated with engaging a professional designer for your bespoke home building project

Clever design was needed to maximise the available space on this tight urban plot, which is overlooked on all sides and from above. Undercurrent Architects developed a design for a young family of four that makes the most of the site

NAARO

Over the course of my career as an architect, I’ve worked with a plethora of clients to help them bring their vision for a bespoke home to life. I’ve also advised many people during chats at exhibitions such as Build It Live. These sessions often provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the value a professional designer can bring to a project. Some of these dialogues have also established an opportunity for me to address the common misconceptions people have about working with an architect.

The first thing a high quality professional should do is listen and develop an understanding of your goals. This will help them to translate your thoughts and desires about a new home into reality. It paves the way for them to deliver great results that exceed your initial ideas, creating a dream abode you’ll be proud of for years to come. Here, I address some of the common myths people have about working with an architect, as well as shedding light on whether there’s any truth to these. Hopefully the following pages will provide you with enough guidance to know whether you’ve selected the right professional for your journey. I’ll also share tips on how to challenge your designer, should they not deliver the service you expect.

MYTH ONE: Don’t architects just design big projects?

You may think it bizarre, but I’ve been asked this question on many occasions, as people are often not clear about the project scope an architect will take on. It seems a lot of individuals think we only design large scale developments like the Shard. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth, as a professional can handle the drawings for any building-related project – particularly houses.