How to Brief Your Architect: Getting the Most from Your Project
When it comes to designing your home, the brief you give your architect is one of the most powerful tools you have. It’s your opportunity to explain what you want to achieve—your needs, your hopes, your constraints, and your vision. Done well, it lays the foundation for a productive working relationship and a design that truly reflects how you live.
But for many clients, writing a brief feels daunting. Where do you start? What should you include? And how much detail is too much?
A Grade II listed cottage in the Cotswolds - our clients had lots of ideas for how they wanted to transform this property.
In this post, we’ll explore what makes a good brief, why it matters, and how you can prepare one that helps your architect deliver the best possible outcome.
Why the Client Brief Matters
A clear brief ensures that your architect understands your lifestyle, your preferences, and your priorities. It also helps:
Avoid misunderstandings later in the process
Set realistic expectations around budget and timescale
Ensure the design reflects your practical needs
Identify potential constraints early
Speed up decision-making
A good brief is not about knowing all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions—and giving your architect the insight they need to help you explore the possibilities.
1. Start with the Big Picture
Before you dive into room sizes or finishes, take a step back. What is the overall goal of the project?
Ask yourself:
What’s wrong with the way the house works now?
What do you want the project to achieve?
What do you want the space to feel like?
Are you solving a problem, or seizing an opportunity?
You might want more light, better flow between spaces, a connection to the garden, or simply a home that reflects your personality. These goals will help guide your architect in shaping the big moves before the finer details are considered.
Practical tip: Try to explain your project in three sentences. This helps clarify what matters most to you.
2. Be Honest About Budget and Priorities
Budget is often the elephant in the room—but it’s one of the most important parts of your brief. Your architect isn’t trying to spend as much of your money as possible. They’re trying to help you get the best value from it.
Share:
Your ideal budget
Your absolute ceiling
Whether your budget includes VAT, fees, and contingency
Also, think about what you’d prioritise if compromises are needed. Is space more important than finishes? Would you consider phasing the project?
Practical tip: Allow a 10–15% contingency in your budget to cover unexpected costs. Renovation work is full of surprises.
3. Describe Your Lifestyle
Your home should work for the way you live—not just today, but in the years to come.
Share information about:
Who lives in the house (now and in future)
Typical daily routines
How you entertain or host guests
Whether you work from home
Hobbies, storage needs, pets
The more your architect understands your lifestyle, the better they can tailor the design to support it. For example, if you always come in through the back door with muddy boots and a dog, a utility room might be more valuable than an oversized hallway.
Practical tip: Walk through a typical day in your current house. What works well? What frustrates you?
4. Talk About Style—But Don’t Lock Yourself In
Architects don’t expect you to speak their language—but they do need to understand your tastes.
Collect images that appeal to you, whether it’s from magazines, websites or real homes you admire. Look for recurring themes in:
Materials and finishes
Colours and lighting
Window styles and room layouts
Mood and atmosphere
But don’t feel you need to define the whole look. Your architect can help refine the design language—it’s better to be open to ideas than overly prescriptive from the outset.
Practical tip: A shared Pinterest board or folder of saved images can be a useful starting point for discussion.
5. Share Constraints and Opportunities
Your architect will assess the site and context, but there’s valuable information you can share:
Is the property listed or in a conservation area?
Are there trees, slopes or access issues?
What are your neighbours like?
Are there views you want to capture—or avoid?
Is privacy an issue?
Understanding these factors early on helps avoid wasted effort and ensures the design responds intelligently to its setting.
Practical tip: Include any site plans, surveys, or previous planning history if you have them.
6. Be Clear on Timing
Every project is different, and timescales can vary depending on the complexity, planning process and builder availability.
If you have a deadline—such as a new baby, sale completion or holiday—make that clear upfront. Your architect can advise what’s realistic and help plan accordingly.
Practical tip: Keep in mind that a well-designed project takes time. Allow for flexibility where you can.
7. Trust the Process
You don’t need to have everything worked out. One of the most valuable things an architect brings is the ability to explore options and uncover solutions you may not have considered.
A good brief is a conversation, not a contract. It should evolve as the project develops. But starting with clarity and honesty puts you in a strong position.
Practical tip: Be open to challenge. A good architect will ask questions to push your thinking—and improve the outcome.
Sample Brief Template
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a simple outline to guide your thoughts:
Project Goals – What are you trying to achieve?
Site and Context – What do we need to know about the property?
Budget – What’s your working budget?
People – Who lives in the house and how do they use it?
Spaces – What rooms or areas do you want to include?
Style – What aesthetics do you like (or dislike)?
Practical Needs – Storage, energy efficiency, accessibility?
Constraints – Planning, neighbours, trees, rights of way?
Timeline – When would you like to start and finish?
Anything Else – Pet hates, non-negotiables, big dreams?
You don’t need to answer everything perfectly. But giving your architect this kind of insight helps them do their job better.
Final Thoughts
Briefing your architect doesn’t have to be intimidating. It’s a chance to reflect on how you live—and how you want to live. The more openly and thoughtfully you can communicate, the better the design outcome will be.
If you’re considering a project and want some help developing your brief, I’m happy to guide you through it. Get in touch to book an initial consultation.