Choosing our Architect

(Spoiler : To see what we're building a summary of the drawings can be seen here)

One of the first things we had to do, and as a result its intimidating, is finding an architect.  As I know nothing about building I was concerned about being able to pick the 'right' architect, someone who could deliver a house that was different enough yet within a relatively tight budget.  We hoped for something less than traditional and would stand out a bit.

The first architect we talked to was a recommendation from a friend, who incidentally has a fantastic house.  We got an initial draft done of what he was thinking having looked at the site, and we were excited.  But we of course wanted a couple of opinions so solicited a few more.

The second we talked to also designed a house we knew of, but on seeing the location of the site didn't think that we'd get a house of the scale we wanted through planning, and strongly implied that he didn't want to make any waves at the planning office.  In my opinion, that's exactly what we're paying for (note: we're paying, not the planners!) an architect who will make the most of the regulations and policies set by the planners - push the envelope if you will.  We wanted a fighter.

The final architect we wanted to talk to first sent us off to look at a couple of houses in the area he'd designed before he'd talk to us.  If we were still interested then we were to ring him.. Homework.  We duly went and acted suspiciously outside a number of residences, concocting unbelievable cover stories in the event we were rumbled, when in fact the truth would have probably got us an invite inside and a chocolate biscuit if lucky.  On driving around remote country lanes we thought it may be difficult to see which house may be his.  However, every time the house immediately sprang out at us as remarkable in its situation.  They had a different look and feel and really looked like a custom house, not one pulled off a book of house plans.

So we went further, happy with our homework done we went for an interview... and it was both ways.  This guy didn't want to know if we wanted a straight-forward house, he wants to design a house, not throw it up.  Having blagged our way through that and accepted ;P we left with more homework - a wish list of what we wanted.  Open question and deliberately so.  At the end of this meeting, we knew we'd found the guy.  He let his portfolio speak for itself and was only interested in delivering something out of the mundane.  Looking back at no point have we regretted our choice as we're very happy with the outcome, as well as his management of the planning process.

The planning process isn't a one-way street.  There can (and should be) initial meetings with planners to set the tone of what is being suggested and how that fits in with the policies for the area.  The earlier that happens, the quicker the boundaries can be set and we can concentrate on designing with what will be allowed, rather than wishful thinking.  The initial meeting went very well, with positive noises from the planner.  Throughout the design process any significant additions or changes to the house was ran past them, usually as part of other interaction, and if we overstepped we removed and looked at it again.  This is also the benefit of having a local architect on the job (either as the principal or in an advisory role) as they will be very familiar with the local restrictions and personalities involved.

With anxiety we submitted our application for planning, our house is in an 'Area of Special Interest' and with the commanding view it also suffers from the opposite - it can be seen from everywhere.  While we had been in regular contact with the planners, the matter of the triangular windows at the front were a grey area up for debate.  We had compromised in removing the 1 1/2 story high front window, but it was far from certain.

Thankfully after the initial period had passed we were granted permission in one pass, with conditions but nothing that was too onerous.  The first hurdle was vaulted with no faults conceded! A night of (mild) celebration followed, and after that the sleeves were firmly rolled up to get to grips with what the task to hand was.  From there, it took another 6 months to arrange finance, agree a contractor for the structure, and line up the major trades to follow!