Involving An Architect
Using an architect is advisable in any project involving new building work, including extensions. In a project where there is no new building work but the focus is on refurbishment of the existing building, a building surveyor can be used instead. The more complicated the build, the more important is the involvement of an architect.
What to look for
The relationship you have with your architect can be very important to the success of the project. Don't be afraid to 'shop around' until you find an individual or company which has specific experience of working with sports projects and / or working with VCOs.
An appointed architect should be a member of The Royal Institute of British Architects.
Finding an architect
- Ask other organisations which have successfully carried out similar projects if they would recommend the architect they used.
- Contact the Digbeth Trust PTAS Register
- The Royal Institute of British Architects website has a search facility which includes sport in the drop down menu, but there is no specific mention of community groups.
- Alternatively the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) has lists of architectural technologists which can be lower in cost and appropriate for smaller or more straightforward schemes.
If in doubt about which to choose contact CIAT in the first instance.
Developing a brief
While most architects will charge an hourly or daily rate for their work, for budgeting purposes it can be better to get a quote for the whole job. This will mean you putting together a brief on which the architect can base their quote.
A brief should contain:
- The nature of the project
- What the project aims to achieve
- Schedule of accommodation (a detailed breakdown of all the rooms / areas required in a building)
- Drawings of the existing site
- The title deeds (where available)
You can use the Ideal Facility Planner to form the basis of an outline brief.
Appointing an architect
If you have received funding to pay for an architect some funders would prefer that you use a tendering process to select the architect. Some funders insist on it. It is always good practice to request more than one quote so that comparisons can be made. Ideally, when looking for architects, ask three to quote for the same job on the basis of the same brief and then select the one which offers the best value.
It is not unusual for one funder to pay for the initial pre-build stage in which plans are drawn up and planning permission is sought and for another to fund the build stage in which the services of the architect are still required. While the first funder may be happy without a tendering process being used to appoint the architect, the second may insist on it. This means that the architect may have to be reappointed after the initial stage.