If you’re thinking about embarking on your own architectural project – whether that be a new home, extension or period renovation – you might be considering hiring a residential architect. With a whole host of expertise and experience to light the way, residential architects like XUL Architecture can input fresh, innovative design ideas, guide and support you through planning, and help you with managing the build.

You might assume that hiring a residential architect will be costly, or that you might be able to do without and simply convey your desires directly to a building or construction firm. Or you might think that a relatively small extension or renovation project won’t require the expert advice that a residential architect can offer.

In fact, we believe that using a residential architect can help you to not only make the best use of the space you have, but ensure you use your budget wisely and importantly, avoid potential mistakes.

Building a new home

Many homeowners relish the thought of designing their own property to their own desires and preferences. If you’ve purchased a piece of land and want to build on it or are planning to demolish an existing structure to make way for a brand new home, a residential architect should be your first port of call. While you might think that a builder or surveyor can provide the advice and information you need, a residential architect is in fact better placed to give you impartial advice about what your options are and what’s achievable within your budget.

When thinking about a new home, designing and planning is a crucial part of the process. It can be a complicated journey, understanding the local planning rules, working out the best building methods and ascertaining what form your design can take. It can be a huge help to have a professional residential architect there to guide you through the ups and downs. They will also be able to factor in any financial, legal or practical concerns that you might not have had the time to consider. This all helps make a design more viable and realistic.

Renovating your property

If you want to expand or improve an existing property, a residential architect will be able to come up with innovative solutions to maximize space and light in your home. They will be able to take your sketchy ideas and often, make them into something even better than you thought. If you wanted to go down the extension route, for example, they can tell you where to add bedrooms or squeeze in bathrooms, and how much of your garden you can extend into.

Their understanding of building and construction methods will also mean that they can tell you what materials to use and what would be best for your particular location or terrain. They will know the latest material specifications and be able to suggest a range of choices to help give you a unique, bespoke finish.

Creating a smart home

With an increasing reliance on technology, homes are becoming smarter than ever. There are now numerous home automation options, which can be seamlessly incorporated into your project right from the planning stage, avoiding the need for any future alterations to be carried out.

With in-depth knowledge of the building and electrical regulations, an experienced residential architect will be able to explore your ideas with you and work out what could be viable. They might even be able to suggest additional options that can help create a completely high-tech living environment as soon as you walk through the door.

Working with a residential architect

Designing and planning your new home should be an exciting and exhilarating time, but sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming with worries over costs and deadlines. By choosing to hire a residential architect, you can retain control over the design, planning and build process, but still have the benefit of expert advice and guidance. They can be as involved as you want them to be, helping you to bring your ideas to life or design your home on your behalf. Working with a residential architect takes the stress out of the process, so you can focus on what type of home you want to create and how you want it to feel to be in.

Image Courtesy of Jose Soriano