The laundry has long been a neglected part of the home and most people dread spending time there. But it doesn’t need to be that way. My Architect adopts the following design strategies when considering optimising the use and functionality of laundries:

• While it makes sense not to use the ‘prime real estate’ of the home when locating the laundry, clever use of lighting, a translucent glass window or even borrowed natural light from another room will increase its appeal.
• We recommend extending the architectural style of the rest of the house to the laundry.
• Don’t treat your laundry like a cupboard. Be more generous with space than expected. Make laundries aesthetically pleasing as well as functional and durable.
• Clean clothes are very comforting and pleasing to the senses. A laundry has the potential to reflect these qualities as well.

In the above example, the laundry benches include chocolate brown laminate with custom designed lacquered doors. A ‘Œbutler’s sink’ with an exposed front edge combines contemporary materials with a a traditional treatment. Goose neck tapwear adds a sense of style. Built-in lighting provides an even, uplifting spread of light. A translucent window lets in natural light.

Initial concept drawings are developed by your architect on the day of the initial visit. You can see quickly what works, what doesn’t and refine ideas then and there.

With these drawings, you will:

• have a clear design direction for your project
• be able to receive initial planning advice on whether you may need a planning permit
• gain a ballpark idea of costs
• be in the position to consider the types of finishes you might like, such as zoning of floor finishes as well as ideas about amount of natural light, spatial aspects, orientating windows and doors
• know where new additions and alternations will be located in relation to existing spaces in your home
• be able to approach your bank for initial finance discussions
• be able to roll out your plans or email them to discuss with family and friends.

Like to know more about the initial visit?

Our director, Robert Harwood, explains…
“The 3.5 hour initial meeting is a one-to-one session between the architect and the customer. It usually begins with a walk through your home and around the property and a discussion about what you would like to achieve. Your architect will survey initial dimensions and draw up an existing plan based on any plans you may have, or from scratch. They will then develop up sketch layouts. This usually takes about 1.5 hours.

Over the next hour, first round concepts are developed, discussed and workshopped with you over your kitchen or dining table. Your architect will generate quick sketch views to help test out ideas and variations to the layout.

In the final hour, the architect completes an agreed version that sums up and concludes the design session. Site photos are taken and any further dimensions needed to develop the concept sketches.

Finally, your architect will discuss cost factors such as new vs refurbishment work and the implementation process including town planning, building approval, tendering and construction contract arrangement.

Your architect will let you know when the concept drawings will be emailed and posted (usually within 7 days), and will give you a booklet outlining the next steps to proceed with your project.”

Some clients have clear ideas about the design they want. Others less so. How does that work when an architect is involved?
“The architect’s goal in this session is to assess your brief with an architect’s eye so that a conceptual solution is developed that is realisable and appealing to you. It includes planning and budgetary considerations. The result may be a completely fresh idea or an evolution of what you had in mind. It depends on the project.”

What do customers think about this approach?
“Customers appreciate the fact that a healthy amount of time is devoted to discussing their needs, understanding how they live and what they’d like to achieve with their project. They like the fact that we work through solutions with them directly and immediately.”

Does My Architect do other kinds of projects?
“My Architect is all about personalised, architect-designed home projects. We’ve examined closely what residential customers are looking for and we’re focussed entirely on providing architectural services that are accessible, affordable and flexible to Australian homeowners.”

Often, the question on most potential renovators’ minds is, will we or won’t we. It’s a big decision but once you’ve chosen to start, another fundamental question needs careful consideration. That is – when?

Getting the timing right on when to begin renovating is crucial. It can impact significantly on the outcome of your project and your satisfaction with the end result. If you time it right, you’ll save yourself money, time and frustration and you’ll most likely avoid many of the common pitfalls. To help you make the right decisions on timing, here are a few tips to guide you towards a renovation that’s as painless as possible:

• Firstly, let’s get real. If you think you’ll be sitting pretty in your newly renovated home in a few weeks, you’re pitching your expectations way too high and setting yourself up for some serious headaches. On an average size domestic renovation (eg. a new living area and kitchen extension with upgrades to the original part of the house including a bathroom), once the design process is over, you’ve lodged your planning application, received approvals and the building process is complete, you’re looking at a start to finish period of 9 to 12 months.

• Start now and you’ll be complete by late 2010. The cut off point for end of year completion is usually around May, so if you’d like your renovation finished by late 2010, you need to get the design process started pronto.

• If year end completion isn’t necessary… start researching for an architect now, then begin the design process in the next few months, lodge your planning application, receive planning approval later this year, receive costings from builders in the latter half of the year (but not December – see below!) and appoint your builder by year’s end. Once you’ve put everything in place for construction to start, have a well-earned break over Christmas, knowing that your builder is ready to begin at the start of the new year.

• Don’t request costings from builders in December. Builders (like everyone) tend to be rushed in the lead up to Christmas, and instead of taking the time to understand your project fully, will often cost a project to cover themselves, which usually means it’ll be more expensive that it needs to be. If it’s December and you’re at the costings stage, better to leave it until the new year.

• Avoid being under construction over Christmas. There are many reasons to avoid being under construction during the holiday season. Builders will usually close down for 2-3 weeks, so if you’ve moved out of your home during the construction phase of your renovation and are paying rent elsewhere, you’ll effectively be paying rent during that period with little or no work continuing on your renovation. Building supplies are also often more difficult to find at this time, as regular suppliers can be closed, causing delays in the building schedule. Time it right, of course, and you’ll avoid these pitfalls and associated costs completely!