the process of architecture is a series of steps taken in order to realise the design and construction of a building.

One of the reasons I started to write about architecture was because I was talking to people who wanted to design + build their own architecture, but they found it difficult to get started because the process seemed daunting.

There is a lot of information to digest, so many choices, so much information and even more opinions from every one around you. It can be difficult to get your head around every little thing and filter the noise to decide what is right for you.

Employing someone else such as an architect to take care of the process was appealing for some people, but not always affordable.

The simplest process to follow for most people seemed to be to purchase a design off-the-plan and have the same organisation build it for them. But sometimes the option to follow this process wasn’t available to them. And more often than not, they felt the design wasn’t specific to them because they didn’t necessarily know how to make a choice for which off-the-plan design suited them best.

Every direction seemed difficult to navigate.

How do you start?

Have you ever had a problem to solve?

Have you ever thought about getting ready for an early start in the morning.

Have you thought about the order in which everything needs to happen so that you can get out of the door in time. Then add a couple of little people to complicate things.

Do you do it all in the morning or prepare some things the night before?

What do you do first? What do you do last?

You are working out a process so that you can achieve your end goal.

You might do this every day.

What works for you to make it happen?

Architecture is just the same.

Architecture is not just an idea.

It is not just a design. it is not just a building.

It is all of these parts combined.

So when you start out to make architecture, you need to think about how all of these parts work together in a process that will help you achieve what you want to have at the end of the day.

You need a process to follow to find your way.

If you are poised to begin your architecture, but you’re not sure where to start, the big question to answer is

What is your end goal and how will you achieve it?

The answer gives you the direction you need to begin the steps to make it happen.

If you know what it is you want to achieve at the end of the day, you can find the process for how to get there. If you learn the steps in the process that will take you to your end goal, you can understand how to go about making architecture that will work for you in every way, every day.

Every one has their own opinion about the best way to design + build architecture, but the process you use should be the one that is right for you.

Every person, whether they be architect, designer, professional consultant, contractor or someone like you has a slightly different process they like to use to design + build architecture. Their process is based on their experiences, their priorities and their objectives for the architecture they are making.

And the terminology that is used to describe the process may vary slightly depending on who you are talking to. If you are working with a design and construction or project home organisation, they are more likely to refer to each part in the process as a ‘Step’. If you are working with an architect, designer or professional consultant, they may refer to each step in the process as a ‘Phase’ or a ‘Stage’.

Could it be any more confusing!

Don’t despair. The main parts in the process are the same, no matter who you talk to.

Gather Information | Put the Information Together | Build the Reality

Within each part are the smaller, achievable steps that will help you put everything together.

The steps occur one after the other.

There are quite a few steps, but believe me when I say that if you can try to see the whole picture, it helps you to navigate each smaller step along the journey and ensures you reach your end goal.

This is my take on how the process unfolds.

01

GATHER INFORMATION

PURPOSE The Why - Define your end goal

PLACE The Where - Learn about the place where you will design + build your architecture

PEOPLE The Who + What - Learn about yourself, the people who will share your architecture + what it is you want

PROGRAM The Numbers - Make it real by defining your budget + time frame

PARTS The Products - Start to track down all the parts you will use to build your architecture

02

PUT THE INFORMATION TOGETHER

PATTERNS The Design - Interpret the information you have gathered to find your unique architectural language

PLAN The How - The way that you will design + build your architecture to make your ideas a reality

PROFESSIONALS The Team - The people who will help you make your architecture a reality

PERMIT The Approvals - Achieving permission to build your architecture

PAPERS The Documents - The drawings and written documents that describe your architecture

03

BUILD THE REALITY

PROCURE Make it Happen - Get things going to build your architecture

PACT The Contract - The agreement made between you and someone else to build your architecture

COMMENCE The Build - Starting to build your architecture!

PROGRESS Communication - Continuing to build your architecture!

COMPLETE Live Your Lifestyle - Finishing up and moving in to live the lifestyle of your end goal

I will unravel each step of the process in this little blog. But if you are keen to get going to learn more right away, you can read a little book I have written.

the Process - a little BOOK Made for You

The reason that I sat down to write my take on the process of architecture was so that all of the steps could be seen in one place. I wanted to make you a guide to help you find your way, as well as give you little things to do at each step in the process to help you move through your journey. It is a guide and workbook in one.

I hope that this little book can help you move through the process with more confidence, whether you are working with a professional, working with a contractor or exploring the process by yourself.

For you to Save

What is always important to remember is that this process is exciting!

Don’t be afraid of it.

Work out what you want and make it happen!

Til next time!

Start the journey to find your architectural language and make your little ideas a reality.

Click here to see the little things I have made for you, or click here if you would like to work with me one on one.

era | the Process to Design + Build Architecture