A full agenda and a list of resolved outcomes were agreed at this weeks site meeting, reminding me of how important it is for the client to be present during the construction process. Over the course of our practice we have worked with clients who have left everything up to us and said things like ‘we’ll be back in 12 months when its all done!’ Although this sounds like every architects dream we find it to be exactly the opposite of what we prefer and promote with our clients.

It is hard to grasp if you are building or renovating for the first time, but there are literally hundreds of decisions that need to be made on behalf of, and with, the client during a build process. If you are not there to agree or disagree with your architects suggestion/response then how can you be sure that the outcome is going to align with your expectations. You can’t, its impossible.

Our advice, be present, ask questions, listen to those advising you and put your opinion forward if you feel the need to be heard. After all, its your home and it will only be better suited to your needs if it involves you.

By example, this week we have been discussing the final location of the dining room table, which will subsequently affect the position of bespoke pendant lighting to the same area. We as the architects have thought very practicably about this table and its location, the lighting position, and of course the aesthetic :). However, although we do our best to understand how a client will use a space during the design and documentation process, there is nothing better than walking through the space and mocking up elements at 1:1 to see how they feel with the client.

Although the table has ended up very close to where it was originally designed to be, slight adjustments influenced by the clients specific needs and thoughts on how they are likely to move through the space on a daily basis did positively impact the location. Had the clients not been available, and relied on our thoughts alone, things would have been perfectly ok, but now they are better suited exactly to the clients needs, because they were there to make it so.

Remember any build should be a team effort between the clients/ architect/ builder and all the involved subcontractors. Without being present this cannot happen.

This weeks image looking at our lovely brick archway to a secondary deck area. Excellent brick workmanship I must say.