Define your brief
Begin with everyday life: the spaces, activities and priorities your home should support.
A guide for private residential clients
Creating an
exceptional home.
Architecture, interiors and project delivery. From an initial idea to a considered home.
Whether you are planning a new home, a substantial renovation or work to a historic property, this guide helps you prepare a brief, understand the decisions ahead and build a productive relationship with your architectural team.
Free PDF · 12 pages · October 2026 · No email address required
Inside the guide
A clear start.
A considered journey.
Understand the property
Gather drawings, reports and permissions, and identify what requires investigation.
Budget and appointment
Consider the whole project cost and agree the scope, responsibilities and fees.
The design journey
Understand how briefing, concept design, technical work and delivery fit together.
Planning and permissions
Distinguish planning, listed building consent and building regulations, with advice for your property.
Your professional team
Agree consultant roles, coordination and the separate principal designer appointments.
Interiors and performance
Bring spatial design, materials, comfort, environmental performance and maintenance together.
Construction and handover
Prepare for tendering, contract decisions, changes, completion and aftercare.
Begin a conversation
Tell us what you have in mind.
You do not need a finished brief. A location, a few priorities and an outline of the project are a useful place to begin.