A WORD OF ADVICE

Not all architectural practices are the same. Architecture is art. Architecture is personal.

Unlike buying a product from a shop where the goods are the same no matter where you buy it from, given the same brief from a client, architectural practices will arrive at a design solution completely different to each other depending on their talents and qualifications.

It is therefore imperative that you should choose your architectural practice wisely. Don’t go on the basis of price alone; select a firm who show creative talent and chartered qualifications, as they then can provide design flair and creative solutions, and will provide added value to the project.

There are many unchartered architectural firms out there and as a result of not being fully qualified, offer only a diluted service to that of a Chartered practice – therefore look for the CIAT or RIBA logos for peace of mind as this guarantees fully qualified architectural professionals.

Neil Dowlman Architecture are fully qualified Chartered professionals with creative design flair who will bring value to your project.

WHAT DO CHARTERED ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGISTS DO?

Imagine a child, standing impatiently on a chair while a grandmother measures their body; the length of their torso, the span of their shoulders, the length of their arms, the inner leg. The numbers are written down and a paper pattern is made; a flat copy of their body. The skill in the making is in the pattern, in the cutting of the cloth and in the fit. The grandmother selects the most durable, washable fabric for the best price; the child chooses the colour and pattern. Stitched together and tried on, the outfit is adjusted and adjusted again.

When finished, the child runs off to play and the garment moves with them. If the grandmother knows her craft well, the cloth follows the body it was made for. As the child grows, hems are let down and sleeves lengthened. The outfit fits until the child is a stone heavier and several inches taller, when it can be passed to another child and adjusted again. The simple pattern doesn’t go out of style.

This is what Chartered Architectural Technologists do. They listen to you and take a measure of your needs, along with the measurements of the plot or building to be altered. They make a pattern based on what size kitchen or bathroom will fit the shape of your life. They draw out a plan of your project and adjust it, and adjust it again.

They help you speak with neighbours or other involved parties to avoid disputes. They negotiate with the planning authority on your behalf to win permission to build. They draw how the building should be assembled, out of what material it will be built, and decide who will build it; what bricklayer, what plumber, what electrician.

They explain to the builder how it should be done, and make sure it is done that way. They make sure the building is certified for fire, health and safety, and meets building regulations. They choose the best tiles, doors and windows that you can afford. They keep an eye on the budget, and ensure they’ve increased the value of the property beyond what you’ve spent.

We have grown accustomed to the necessary evils of design for everyone, which is really design for no one; of iPods that break and are thrown away, or size 34 trousers that chafe. But surely you can imagine how nice it would be to buy a pair of shoes that really fit, without choosing between a slightly too small size 6, or a slightly too big size 7. They wear out, and we throw them away. The craft of the Chartered Architectural Technologist, like shoes that fit, is wrongly considered a luxury. Houses and flats, along with dresses and shoes, are bought off the peg. A well designed home, like the child’s clothes, can be let out and last for years to come.

A good Chartered Architectural Technologist will design you a home that will not just fit you today, but for when you get married, have a child or two, or grow old. Or they will add value to your home so that when it is sold, you can afford something bigger. This is design worth paying for, design that will save, and make you money.

Most importantly, unlike builders or other tradesmen, to be a Chartered Architectural Technologist is to be bound by the CIAT code of conduct, which means acting with honesty, integrity, trustworthiness and to look after your clients’ money.
In short, a builder will build you a house, a Chartered Architectural Technologist will make you a home.

This is what Chartered Architectural Technologists do.

For specialised design services contact us on
01205 357 272