Are You Choosing the Right Architecture Firms Melbourne Based For Your Project?

There is a saying “jack of all trades, master of none” but in the case of an architect he has to be master of quite a few trades to deliver results that surpass expectations. 

An architect needs to be a multi-faceted personality in order to deliver results that surpass expectations of clients. The space is crowded with many brilliant minds vying for business but each one is an individual with his own vision and way of working. When you choose architecture firms Melbourne based for your project do you find that they are a perfect match? 

The architect as a creative designer
It needs vision to come up with a creatively beautiful and dazzling concept in the design of a building. It may be a residential building or a commercial complex. There is beauty in form and structure, a harmonized composition and geometry that creates poetry in brick, glass, steel and concrete. Form and function come together in a superb visualization of interiors and exteriors, of the surroundings and the lifestyle of people in that area. 

The architect as an engineer
Creating a design is one thing. The architecture firm Melbourne must have architects with advanced degrees and a thorough understanding of structurals. This, in turn can influence design and design can be solidly rooted in engineering. It is easy to design straight lined structures but when it comes to unusual shapes this is where engineering can support such designs. 

Architecture and the environment 
Architecture and construction impact the environment. Brilliant architecture firms Melbourne based do not just create structures that clash with the environment or impact it adversely. The structural design, choice of materials and methods of construction all have a bearing. The building can stand out like a sore thumb or blend in with the skyline and the landscape. Architecture firms with architects who have LEEDS certification have a better appreciation of environment impact and energy efficiency. 

Energy efficiency
Buildings can be beautiful to look at but are they energy efficient? As stated above form and function are closely linked in architecture and one of the prime functions these days is energy efficiency. A client may choose a design and look purely on visuals whereas the architect knows if that particular design will suit a hot climate or a cold climate and contribute to energy efficiency as well as comfort and ergonomics. 

Comfort and ergonomics 
The responsibilities of an architect are never ending or so it seems because the design he visualizes must not only be practical and ergonomic but also contribute to comfort of occupants. There are minor but quite important factors such as arrangement of spaces within spaces and flow of movement as well as free air flow and light. People must love the spaces they occupy for work or for leisure or for study. 

Cost, longevity
A building, whether it is a residence or an office complex, represents considerable investments. One can skimp on cost at the expense of structural strength of longevity. One can pick and choose materials for constructions that influence cost and durability. The architecture firms Melbourne based you choose for your building plans must be an expert in knowing about materials, costs and impacts on looks as well as durability to come up with a design that is both pleasing and within budget. 

Your architect may be tasked with only design part and the construction may be handled by a contractor in which case your architect is likely to offer some form of supervision and site visits as well as interaction with the contractor. However, you may find it more practical to let architects firm Melbourne based not only design the building but also handle its construction. This way they take on the entire responsibility. 

Author co-owns and runs an architecture firm in Melbourne, with specialized expertise in concept and design of residential as well as commercial buildings.