The relationship between the architectural designer and the client is an important factor in creating successful design plans. The designer will likely ask the client several questions to get a feel for what the client wants. Similarly, the client should come prepared with questions to ask an architect. When the client and designer have open lines of communication, collaborate freely, and trust each other, the final design satisfies all parties.
The Importance of Your Client-Architect Relationship
Collaboration Creates Trust
When each party in the architectural designer-client relationship feels heard, opinions and ideas can be expressed without bias or attitude.
True collaboration forms when the architectural designer listens to the client, and the client feels empowered to communicate any concerns, reservations, and wishes for their project. The architect must also feel comfortable asking questions to unlock the client’s true wishes. The architect and client relationship must be built on trust and mutual respect.
Successful Designs Rely on Cooperation
Open communication will foster a partnership that allows free-flowing ideas, thoughts, and the free expression of different design elements.
When you’re getting ready to build a house, your designer should answer your questions and not dismiss them. Don’t stay silent if you don’t like a certain architectural feature or idea. It’s your home—you should love it!
Similarly, an architectural designer should be confident in their design and be able to explain how it will work to you, their client. Communication is important to understanding. Your designer is taking everything they know about you and filtering it through their years of expertise to create a home they believe will excite and satisfy you. They should be eager to share their thinking behind certain factors, such as functionality and flow, that inform their decisions. This is why open communication is necessary and impacts the final result.
3 Types of Questions to Ask an Architect
To choose a qualified architect or architectural designer, would-be clients should come to a meeting with a list of questions to ask an architect. Some of these questions should be specific to the project, some about the architect or architectural designer’s process, and others should be about their experience.
It’s imperative that clients feel comfortable with their architectural designer. When they come prepared with questions, they will be informed about their services and begin to establish a rapport.
1. Questions About the Project
Clients should arrive at the initial meeting with several questions about the specifics of the project, such as:
- Are you comfortable creating something that aligns with my preferred style?
- How do you ensure functionality in your designs?
- What should I know about building in my city/state?
- Are you comfortable operating within my stated budget?
The designer should be able to address your questions easily and without reservation.
2. Process Clarifications
Every architectural designer’s process is unique to them. Some start sketching right away, whereas others—like the designers at 42° North—prefer to learn more about their clients before putting pen to paper.
Questions to ask an architect about the process include:
- How long is the process expected?
- How many drafts are provided?
- How do you determine design parameters?
- What if I don’t like your initial design?
- Will the designer stay with me through construction?
- Will they check local regulations/zoning codes, or is that my responsibility as the client?
- How many copies of the final blueprints do I get?
- Will you collaborate with builders or construction managers?
This list isn’t exhaustive, but it can be used as a jumping-off point to develop your questions before meeting with a designer.
3. Asking About Your Designer’s Experience
While every designer and architect fresh out of school or an internship has to start somewhere, it would serve you to inquire about your designer’s experience. Though no one has a crystal ball, asking the following questions may be indicative of how future projects will go, including:
- Do you have experience with my preferred style(s)?
- What do past clients have to say about you?
- Do you have experience in my city/state?
Additionally, prospective clients should ask to see the designer’s portfolio. When viewing, clients can see the projects the designer is most proud of having completed. Clients should examine the homes in their portfolio to see if they match their style and vision.
Questions an Architect Should Ask Their Clients
Clients don’t always know what questions to ask an architect, so in those cases, they’ll need to rely on their designer to ask them questions to determine their true wants and needs.
Communication is a two-way street. It’s a red flag if your architect doesn’t ask questions and instead chooses to share their designs first. A performative drawing in your first meeting might look flashy and cool, but it shows they aren’t taking the time to listen to clients—they’re more interested in showing off.
1. Learning About Your Lifestyle
Designers know what features are commonly overlooked by clients. They also know the right questions to determine a client’s true wants and needs. Your designer should not only be interested in your design preferences, but also your habits, hobbies, and general lifestyle. This will help them create designs that will seamlessly integrate with your daily life.
In addition to asking questions, the designer can learn more from a tour of the client’s current living space. This way, the architectural designer can better understand what does and doesn’t work for their client now and in the future.
Lifestyle questions clients should be prepared to answer could include:
- Do you like it bright with lots of windows?
- How private do you want your living quarters?
- What spaces are most important to you?
- How much storage do you need, and for what?
- What do you like and not like about your current home?
- What feature or space is a dealbreaker or must-have?
- Where do you put your keys? Your phone?
2. Clarifying Your Expectations
Everyone has expectations. Designers have expectations of their clients, and clients have expectatiojns of their designers. Being on the same page is necessary to ensure a smooth process. Questions the designer might ask about your expectations include:
- What is your budget?
- Do you have contingency funds?
- What level of involvement do you expect to have in the process?
- What do you expect the designer to complete?
- What are your timeline expectations?
