In actual fact, drawings make up a small percentage of our work and we don’t start putting pencil to paper until we have carried a lot of background research.  We will do a detailed site analysis, looking at orientation and what is around a property or site; we will research the planning context and look at policies which might impact what we can achieve; we will spend time with our clients, getting to know them and their family units and developing a detailed Brief for their project.  Only then will we start to create designs to meet the Brief and bring a project to life.

The design phase involves working with our clients to ensure that our designs meet their needs and expectations.  We work in a logical, rational and sequential manner, ensuring that we can be confident in our designs.  A great deal of what we do is based on science but there is an artistic side to our work, too.  Being able to navigate between good design and taste and fashion is important in our work.  At Lomas and Mitchell Architects, we work with our clients and their tastes and preferences, not with our own opinions and views or current trends and fads. 

As the project develops, we put together details and specifications and use our knowledge and experience of technical development and building science to meet performance requirements.  Our work includes coordinating the work of other professionals whether that is a planning consultant, a structural engineer or specialist surveyors.  We work with builders to ensure our designs are delivered and we administer building contracts to monitor costs and programmes.

Perhaps as importantly for our clients is that we are experienced in designing homes for our clients and their families.  Working with home owners and delivering excellent architecture for their bespoke, energy-efficient homes requires an understanding of human nature and ensuring that we communicate our designs clearly.  We understand that homes are vital to enable families to flourish and getting the quality of spaces right is very important in our work.

So, if you are tempted to save yourself some money and not work with an architect, we suggest you have a look at the scale of your project and value the importance of your home to your family.  It makes sense to work with professionals like us, who are experienced in one-off homes and in adapting and remodelling existing properties and who can help you navigate through the complexity and emotionally charged process of achieving your dream home.