Whether you're considering a home transformation or looking to work with an architect, here are the details to consider.
Sowerbys sits down with Adam Griggs, a passionate architect with nearly 30 years of experience, as he shares his insights on architecture, design, and his practice.
Can you tell me a bit about your journey as an architect and what led you to set up your own practice?
From an early age I had a keen interest in building design and construction. After leaving school I was able to undertake a blended learning programme of the different building trades which gave me a great understanding of the whole construction process. My training also included technical drawing, and it was this area that really excited me. From then on I chose to specialise in the architectural aspect and have worked in the industry now throughout my career, almost 30 years!
Starting my own practice has been an ambition for a while as I found the more senior I had become, the less hands-on I was. One of my favourite aspects of being an Architect is working on schemes and developing ideas with clients and so when the practice I was working for changed hands, I took this as my opportunity to start up on my own and I have not regretted it.
What kind of projects do you specialise in, and what excites you most about them?
Mostly working on residential projects, I enjoy taking a house which either doesn’t work in terms of flow, scale, or is just not aesthetically pleasing, and working with my client to develop ideas to meet their brief. Being able to transform a property is really rewarding, and using my experience to provide advice to homeowners on the best design scheme to meet their brief is something I strive to achieve with every client.
I also very much enjoy working on listed projects, negotiating with the conservation officer and English Heritage, in order to sympathetically meet my client's brief.
What do people often misunderstand about what an architect does?
With the exception of my son's friend who thought I dug up dinosaur bones(!), most clients appreciate the value an architect can bring to a project. Architects provide an essential service, especially when more complex changes to a building are required.
A good architect will understand building processes and regulations, take everything into consideration when putting forward a design, and provide detailed consultation around their recommendations.
I have often found that the assumption is that Architects charge exorbitant fees but, depending on the services required, fees can be tailored to meet smaller briefs. As a local, independent Architect I can use my experience to offer affordable solutions to homeowners.
There are also different levels of architectural services which are not necessarily understood by people outside of the industry. I work with many architectural technicians who I have a lot of respect for, but I do feel that the value of a Chartered Architect, given the depth of education undertaken and commitment to learning, means that you are dealing with someone who is truly passionate about their profession.
Can you walk me through the typical process of working with an architect from start to finish?
My initial contact is often either an e-mail or a telephone call where I can understand the brief, just to see if it is achievable. After this I would normally meet on site or at the client’s house where we can review thoughts in context. It’s often the case that coming in with a clean perspective I can see ideas which home owners may have overlooked.
I then develop ideas for my client’s consideration and, once we have explored some ideas together, I develop planning drawings (if required). We then move onto the technical stage by providing drawings suitable for building regulations approval and for builders to base their price on. From here I would review the builders with my client and assist with developing contracts, ultimately leading to starting on site.
At this stage I can simply remain at the end of a telephone if needed or can become more hands on by reviewing progress, costs and changes through to completion.
How do you balance creativity with the practical constraints of a project (budget, regulations, etc.)?
A good starting point would be to develop ideas for what you want to achieve and then cost this scheme. If changes need to be made to e.g. accommodate budget constraints, we can usually adapt the project to prioritise the most important elements. This is far better than starting off with a compromised scheme where from day one the brief is being missed.
What are some of the biggest challenges architects face today?
Ever changing regulations can create more hurdles to carrying an idea through from inception to completion. That’s why it’s so important to use a reputable Architect who is fully up to date with current regulations. Factors such as over glazing and site biodiversity are important and can influence the design of schemes, so it’s necessary to have the creative ability to think differently to meet a client’s brief and avoid schemes becoming too homogenised.
How has the role of an architect evolved over the years?
From having been the key professional on a building site, our roles have evolved on site to becoming that of a coordination skill, bringing all the many multi-faceted skills and professions into one process to enable the builder to execute the desired plan for the client.
What’s the most rewarding project you’ve worked on, and why?
I’ve worked on many large projects but the one that really sticks in my mind is a simple loft conversion at a family home. They were bursting at the seams but unable to move. By finding a way to utilise the room in the roof, without compromising the first floor rooms, meant that all of the children had their own space. The sense of achievement and feedback from the family on how they were in a far happier place on completion was fantastic.
What advice would you give to someone considering working with an architect?
It’s a huge commitment given it takes a minimum of 7 years to complete from start to finish, but it is very rewarding. Be prepared to commit many hours to studying, so ensure you love it and have a passion to learn. Once you have finished you will be able to directly influence how people live together both in terms of family interactions but also neighbourly and community life. You’ll be able to leave a legacy to be proud of.
Are there any new trends or innovations in architecture that you find particularly exciting?
I have always loved Biomimicry, learning from the way that nature has been able to take billions of years to solve complex situations and we can bring these solutions into solving today's challenges. Whether it is by cooling buildings in the same way a termite mound keeps a constant temperature using the stack effect, or self-cleaning surfaces inspired by the Banyan fig leaf, we are always able to learn new things and find inspiration in the strangest of places.
For more information about Adam Griggs and his architectural services, you can visit his website here.