"Architect-designed houses are not accessible to all." This is a myth championed by the building industry. Alternatively, why not focus on the key benefits architects bring to a project. Here are a few for you: • Appoint an architect to your project and you’ll gain a home designed for the way you want to live.The alternative is a builder-designed home that suits what the builder is used to building. Quality builders will ask for plans and specifications to be thoroughly documented so that they can go ahead and do what they do best, which is build. Working out with the owner what you’re going to build and why is the architect’s role. • An architect manages planning approvals. This process is complex, often arbitrarily applied by many Councils, fraught with pitfalls for the novice and is ramped up every year with new hoops to jump. If you want a professional on your side who knows the territory, will go in to bat for you and will forge a way through this minefield, you need an architect. • If you’d prefer to put the works to tender to a number of builders rather than having to accept the quote of the builder you started the process with, you need an architect. • If you’d prefer to protect yourself with a proper, architect-managed ABIC contract that works equally for both parties and is legally enforceable, you need an architect. • An architect will minimise costly changes during construction as he or she will produce a proper level of drawings (expect 20 x A3 pages for a new home, rather than the 1-2 pages you’ll receive from a drafting service.). The reasons for this are that you have on paper exactly what you want to build. Without this, you are entering a contract with a builder with none of the details resolved. You wouldn’t do that if you were buying a house, so why do it when spending an equally significant amount of money? Unfortunately, some builders see this approach as an opportunity to happily accept constant changes from ‘project managing’ owners because it’s just another variation that he can charge for. The longer he is there, the better for his margins, particularly when there’s no contract to speak of. Finally, an architect is a specialist with a professional duty of care, irrespective of financial gain. In other words, they’re there to support and protect you, without benefit to themselves. No one else in the building industry can provide this.

Hi All, this is an interesting topic that we are asked regularly. Let me start by saying that there are lots of fantastic designers and architects out there - and the professional accreditation (architect/building designer) is only a part of the picture. It is really important to find a professional you are comfortable talking to, as you will be working closely with them for months. They should also have relevant experience that aligns to your project. Finding one that has designed and detailed buildings you like is also important, as you wont be asking them to 'change' their style to fit your project desires. In reference to fees, these will be completely determined by the designer/architect. There is no 'average' fee as such that can be applied to a project, so you will need to meet your designer/architect, provide them with an indicative design brief, and your budget - so they can then provide you with a fee proposal for their services. Perhaps get in touch with your local Building Designer Association and review the body of work of some local professionals, or browse magazines and websites to find designs that reflect your desired project outcomes. I hope that helps you narrow down the field a little! Kind Regards, Sven Maxa.

I was about your age when I decided the same thing! My tip is from experience, you will travel a very windy road with plenty of creative stop offs along the way to becoming an architect. Creativity is the single most important tool you poses second only to the confidence to achieve it. Dabble in design across as many ways possible, architecture is about responding entirely to your client, their.site, their brief and budget. Having a well rounded appreciation of design, art, travel and culture will come in very handy in interpreting and inspiring your clients. It's an easy world to fall in love with, it certainly is a dream job, and their are many faces you may take on. Start dabbling with drawing technology, starting with a freebie, google sketchup. It is easy to learn via YouTube tutorials, you can create and learn about scale, proportion, how to interpret 3d into 2 dimensional images and visa versa. You can create realistic images, or renderings with lights, textures and landscape, all of which an architect would undertake. You may work in architecture across interiors, building, landscape or as our own design expert! Knowing what you want to do, is the first step. Many your age still have no idea, and who knows, you may too change your path a few times, but architecture is in the soul, so I'm sure you'll get there! Good luck.

Asking friends, colleagues and relatives is often the best place to start as you get the warts n'all version. As you note, if the spaces are small then design becomes even more important. The cost of producing drawings and time needed resolving design/technical issues tends to be similar on most jobs (up to a point). This does translate to a fees becoming a higher percentage on a smaller budget job. Remember it is all part of the investment you make in your home so you need to be confident that you are getting both the best physical outcome but also financial outcome. Next weekend is Sustainable House Day, a great opportunity to go and look through some great examples of design that are working on many levels, you may find you designer/architect through that.... Good luck finding your 'one'