Why value engineering is an important part of architectural design

Architectural projects of all sizes can be complex and costly endeavours, and finding an architect that is able to minimise costs without compromising on the integrity and usability of the final design is essential.

Value engineering is a systematic approach that aims to reduce the cost of a project without compromising on quality, and I’d like to explore this concept in more detail.

What is value engineering?

Value engineering was first developed by General Electric in 1947 when post-war shortages of raw materials and labour led to a need for manufacturing efficiency, reduced costs, and improved products.

Simply put, value engineering is the process of making a product cheaper through design. It’s a methodology that’s used in all sorts of different industries, allowing a designer to identify problems and eliminate unnecessary expenditure while remaining true to the scope of the project.

Value engineering is most effective when implemented from the project’s inception, allowing for the greatest number of informed decisions throughout the process. The earlier value engineering comes into play, the easier it is to make savings without affecting completion dates or incurring additional costs that outweigh any proposed savings.

Value engineering in architectural design

In architecture, value engineering means creating the most cost-effective solution to fulfill a building’s functional and aesthetic requirements.

Deciding which is the best-value approach is a collaborative process involving the client, architect, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers. By working together, project teams can identify and overcome design issues, explore alternative solutions, and assess a variety of pricing options.

This allows all parties to better understand the project needs and the consequences of each design decision. By basing their choices on the functionality provided by a particular solution, an architect can minimise unnecessary expenditure and produce a higher value-to-cost ratio for the client.

Design Haus’ dedication to value engineering

I believe that value engineering is an extremely important part of the design process, and I ensure that it is built into every project I work on. Your architect is the person that should help to facilitate the project and deliver what you want, instead of saying no or pushing you to go over budget.

As the lead architect, I know how passionate my clients are about their projects, and I understand that there’s nothing more infuriating than dealing with unnecessary stress and unexpected costs. Client relationships are at the heart of everything I do, and it’s my job to help you to achieve what you’re looking for.

I respect the cost of the work and the money being spent on your project, and I treat each design as though it was my own. I work with your contractors to ensure that the design can be achieved within budget, establishing a plan of action that gives you the best value without compromising on quality.

Work with Design Haus

If you’d like to work with an architect that cares about the investment you’re putting into your project, take a look at my design-led architectural service, or get in touch with Design Haus today.

Published by James Brindley in Working with architects

Tags: Architect, architectural design, Architecture, value engineering

9 October 2020

The benefits of appointing a sole practitioner over a large architectural agency

When it comes to a large, complex job like architectural design, it’s important to make sure that the person or practice that you’re hiring is experienced and reliable.

Some people believe that the larger a company is, the more trustworthy it is. While it’s easy to understand the reasoning behind this assumption, you shouldn’t discount sole practitioners simply because they are a single person and not a large organisation.

In fact, there are many benefits to appointing a sole practitioner such as Design Haus over a large architectural agency.

Build a strong working relationship

Large projects may be ongoing for a year or more, so it’s essential that you are able to build a strong working relationship with your architect. Appointing a sole practitioner makes it much easier to get an idea of how well suited an architect is to working with you.

In a large agency, you might meet with a charismatic designer who wows you with their passion and expertise, only to have the project passed on to a more junior person within the company. At Design Haus, you work directly with the senior designer throughout the entire process, from initial concepts through to the finishing touches on a completed build.

Like who you work with

An important consideration that often gets overlooked is ensuring that you are working with someone that you like who is passionate about your project.

Architectural projects can be stressful at the best of times, and when your architect is overseeing all aspects of the design and build process, it really helps if you actually like them as a person. Otherwise, six months into a year-long build, you might find yourself dreading every interaction with them.

Bespoke team for your project

One of the greatest benefits of hiring a sole practitioner is their ability to create a bespoke team based on your project’s requirements.

As there are no in-house structural engineers, technologists, surveyors or builders to fall back on, this means that each one is sourced specifically for the design at hand. This flexible approach gives you access to experts in their respective industries that may not have been accessible through a large organisation.

Single point of contact

Even the simplest of architectural projects requires the insights and skills of a range of different experts. Appointing a sole practitioner gives you a single point of contact throughout the entire project, so you never have to worry about figuring out who to call for a status update or to specify a design alteration.

By choosing an architect that you trust and who truly cares about your project, you can be sure that everything is well managed from start to finish without you having to lift a finger.

Design Haus Architecture

If you’re interested in the benefits of working with a sole practitioner rather than a large architectural agency, get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to discuss your project.

Published by James Brindley in Advice, Working with architects

Tags: Architect, architectural projects, Architecture, sole practitioner, Working with Architects

10 August 2020

Working with an architect to build a swimming pool

A swimming pool is one of the most popular items on the dream home checklist, with indoor pools being particularly popular with Brits—understandably!

If you’re considering adding a swimming pool to your home, partnering with an architect is a great way to ensure that your pool meets all your requirements, looks great and adds value to your property.

Swimming pool design and installation steps

Here’s a rough outline of the steps required to take your pool from a dream into a reality.

Concept
Design specification
Planning permission
Measurement
Excavation
Preparation of subsoil to settle the pool
Placing the pool structure
Installation of pumps, filters, heaters, lights, etc.
Tiling around the pool

Of course, each pool is different, so the process may differ slightly. Fortunately, an experienced architect knows exactly what needs to be done and when.

What to consider when designing your swimming pool

First of all, it’s important to figure out exactly what you want, and where you’re going to put it.

While you might already have an idea of what you’d like, hiring an architect to design your pool and oversee construction means that all necessary considerations will be taken into account from the very beginning of the project.

Here are some key considerations when deciding on the final design of your pool.

Intended use

Before getting bogged down in the details, you first need to consider the intended use of the pool. This will help to determine its size, shape, location, material and any additional features.

If you’re just looking for somewhere to take a quick dip or relax, you probably don’t need a full-size swimming pool. A plunge pool or even a hot tub may suit your needs.

In contrast, if you plan to use your pool for swimming and exercise, you should consider a larger pool or, where space is tight, a smaller pool with a water jet that allows you to swim in place against a current.

Indoor or outdoor

Your choice of an indoor or outdoor pool might be predetermined by the space you have available, the weather, or the landscape of your property. Whichever you choose, a south-facing pool is the best option to make the most of the sunshine.

Outdoor pools offer a wonderful place to relax and cool down in the summer but they can require a lot of cleaning and maintenance. Indoor pools are much more versatile, as they can be used in any weather, but they have higher construction and running costs.

Planning permission

It’s highly likely that you will require planning permission for your pool, and these restrictions may determine the location and size of your pool.

It’s essential that you get the correct permissions before commencing construction, otherwise you could face a hefty fine. As the project lead, this is something that your architect will take care of for you, so you don’t need to worry about it.

Pool construction

Pools can be made from a variety of materials, each with their own benefits in terms of durability, aesthetics and price.

Tiled or ceramic pools are very durable and look great, but they can be costly. Block and liner pools are a cheaper alternative but they pose a puncture risk, while concrete pools are quick and easy to manufacture but require a lot of maintenance.

Whether you choose a sloped or flat-bottomed pool may also affect the choice of construction material, as they require different installation techniques.

See your pool design in virtual reality

If you choose to work with Design Haus on your swimming pool construction project, you will be able to see exactly what your pool will look like in situ using state-of-the-art virtual reality.

You can walk around with the environment to see how different materials and lighting solutions affect the final look and feel. I can even show you how your pool will look at different times of day and in changing weather conditions, so you can experience everything except the feel of the water on your skin.

To find out more about how I can support your swimming pool construction project, get in touch and I’ll be happy to discuss your ideas.

Published by James Brindley in Home improvement, Working with architects

Tags: Architect, Architecture, construction, pool, swimming pool

20 May 2019

Working with Small vs. Large Architecture Companies

Having an idea of what you’re looking for is a great place to start, but who do you ask to design it? Who can you trust to best interpret your vision and turn it into bricks and mortar, glass and stone? The big, well-established firm, or the one-man band who’ll be just as emotionally invested as you?

Published by James Brindley in Advice, Working with architects

Tags: Hints and Tips, Working with Architects

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