BuiltArt Ltd

ARE YOU ABOUT TO MAKE THE HUGE COMMITMENT NEEDED TO BUILD OR RENOVATE A BUILDING
If so you need to step back and ask yourself critical questions now before you start , is this the Architect that I would like to take the process all the way with? Do I trust this Architect ?
So to assure you now and maybe help you with these difficult decisions here is a list of the critical points that we personally would base your decision on.
1) Does the Architect listen to what I want to achieve. As opposed to pushing his ideas and agender all the time. Just be aware however that we have done this design process all day every day for the last 34 years and so gained skills. Finding an Architect that listens and asks the right questions.
2) Is this Architect honest and fair - this is critical so that when things go wrong we all can resolve them quickly and get to the truth fast with nobody feeling they have been taken for granted. Building always has issues that need resolving and problems will arise. 
Architectural fees- for our fees we track every 15 minutes worked on a computer program and often do not charge for all the time worked we are happy to share that time sheet for transparency and trust.
 MANY people have experienced a problem when using Architects whom "think they are worth more than they really are". Humbleness is a real virtue here. Do you trust your Architectural designer, are they realistic enough to charge what they are worth.
3) Can this designer actually design beautiful buildings .This question is the absolute critical one and you need to prioritize that question to the top of your list. Why ? Well the hard facts are if the building is beautiful then the buyers want to pay a lot for it. Simple really - good design adds a lot of resale value and holds a strong demand in a market. Why do you think the coolest looking cars sell so well. Its all the same - get the proportions , style , colours , function, correct and you have what we call the Xxx factor - timeless design. People will spend money on the Xxx factor. Boring/bland is not popular. Wow factor is very popular. Functional use is also important.
I personally spent 8 years full time at university to find out what good design really is… and gain the skills required. I received 2 Degrees and 1 Associate Diploma in Architecture. Also I hold an Advanced Trade Certificate from my early apprentice/tradesman days.
Honestly trust us please when we say: Choosing your designer for their "design skills" is critical. A good designer can get you the sales that you need. Whether you are selling the building or renting it, you need the sales. Add to this a “practical designer will save you money in construction costs. Many unrealistic Architects ‘over design and add built parts that are simply of no value to anyone. A realistic Architect truly understands the value of “less is more” or the Art of simplicity. The Art of simplicity applies for ease of construction and so results in less cost to build. Humbleness is a real virtue when dealing with such large costs.
 We guarantee you that our design will be so good that you can sell it from the plans and 3D pictures  if you chose to, long before you even have to start building.
This can be a key to your project succeeding. Selling off the plans to cover the build costs, and therefore reduce a lot of risk for you. Remove the risk of carrying all the financial responsibility. If that business model works for your project. You may be simply changing your building for your latest needs. 
4) Can this Architect show me an example of a timeless design that he has completed. ? Yes we are happy to provide you with a free complete set of construction drawings ( copy write law applies) of most designs on our web site so that you can see if we have the skills to produce what you need. Most of our designs have been built.
What is good design and therefore beautiful style ?. Or what we call timeless design.
After spending many long years asking this very question we have some good answers.
By applied study of the famous "legends of Architecture. Note here they only become "legends" if they deserve it. They become famous because they have put in enough effort to become advanced in their talent/skill set and artists of their craft. As a result their buildings have become the most sort after and most photographed they are usually featured in the best books .In that endless pursuit of trying to understand what "they know that I don't " you discover certain design principles that must be applied to the Art of Architecture. I now claim Architecture to be a "feeling based Art" you can feel/see when it is well done and harmonious. Are you being sold a bad design with "magic manipulative words". Don't let a designer talk you into something you know intuitively is not a good result. Be wary of all that analysis and wordiness , your own inner voice will tell you if its good for you. Intelligent talking is not always able to produce balance and harmony. Its just words.  
You can compare this with music. Good music can be a feeling" when its created well with certain sensitivity and principles. The artist must first study in depth all the applied knowledge to be able to write good music. Things like rhythm, timing/counting or math's , melody , scales of notes and where they should be used. etc. 
Good design requires the same knowledge or study to gain a certain depth of knowledge of design principles / techniques / details / proportions / rhythms / math's / function.
The greatest of the Architects I follow claim that they are masters of simplification. Meaning simplicity in ordering of shapes , good resolution, practical functionality, are all needed. Harmony is achieved through simplification of a complex set of factors. Or good architecture is a response or reaction to the real forces acting on the environment. As with music when a song is harmonious it will add a healing factor to you experience- well  I believe that same reality applies to buildings - harmonious environments have a healing effect on the users.
So what are these real forces acting on your design ?
Environmental - Sun/Air/Views/light/Space , Housing needs- social, community eg: can this building create community connection or does it create isolation/loneliness , Access- cars/pedestrian, Cost to build = sales price so profit is created. Building codes , District Planning rules satisfied, Market forces - what market are you trying sell to. Design principles, materials used - applied attention to detail. Culture and History of the proposed users. Applied design principles require greater skills gained only through years of experience.
So when all these real factors are considered then applied with skilled design talents the results will be far better and healthier buildings. We builders of the built environment do carry the responsibility of creating a healthy built environment for the next generations to have a good standard of life.
You need to ask yourself, do this these statements ring true in me? If yes then your questions are answered. You have a good person to work with that will help you achieve your goal and is at your service whilst serving the community as well.

At BuiltArt we create strong relationships with our clients - trust and integrity is critical .
To understand our clients needs is a creative listening process.
Then to materialize their ideas combined with our own creativity into a functional and aesthetically beautiful building. We believe simplicity is beauty. To know when less is more . To aim to create timeless Architecture that will transcend the cycles of fashion. Yet be fashionable to the highest degree for future users.
Contemporary -unique -timeless design or in a specific style - we will design what you desire.
The optimum solution is always waiting to be discovered through inquiry and intuitive creative design.
Our buildings sit in harmony with their environment and are an expression of the environment . A reaction to that environment. Frank Lloyd Wrights writings on architecture "Organic Architecture " gives us strong guiding principles of design to apply.
"Love Architecture so much that you will not allow yourself to do substandard work, you become your toughest critic " - Frank Lloyd Wright ....was so Wright.
Frank was also famous for saying "you can change your design with a pencil eraser now, or a sledge hammer on site" , get it right now as Architects crimes are permanent.

With 44 years experience your greatest investment is to be trusted in our care.
Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your project.
We offer a first meeting in our office free for you to discuss your project.

All our designers at BuiltArt Ltd hold a university degree in Architecture .
Our skills are always being further trained to advance us as professionals.