Are you living in Melbourne and are thinking about building your first home to your individual wishes or simply want to change your current property? While you should definitely create a vision of what you expect for your future home, it is always important to get in touch with an expert in this field and contact professional architects Melbourne. But what exactly is an architect and what do they do? This article explains the main tasks of residential architects in Melbourne and further highlights the process of their work.

What is an Architect and What Do They Do?

An architect is basically a person who supervises, plans and designs for the construction of new buildings or structures. The main purpose of an architect is to work with various designers and technicians to come up with plans for construction and designing the building. Architectural planning can be divided into three different sections – Site planning, Site analysis and Construction.

• Site planning: In the planning phase, an architect comes up with architectural plans to ensure that the area has adequate parking and accessibility. For this purpose, they need to find out what kind of facilities the area requires to handle such functions. It is also necessary to take into account the proximity of other buildings and residential properties in relation to the building.

• Site Analysis: Site analysis involves the assessment of the available site for the construction project. The location, size, shape and use of the area are considered. An architect must plan a site so that it suits both the building and its intended use. This type of analysis is often done for large projects or complex structures, such as schools, hospitals, churches and commercial buildings.

• Construction: Construction of the actual building is done once the plans are approved by the local authority or the developer. An architect’s job is to oversee the entire building construction process. They make sure that all the construction materials and equipment are in good condition, as well as ensure the safety of the staff during work.

Another very important aspect of an architect’s job is the management of a design team, which consists of architects, engineers, and civil engineers. These professionals help to determine the size, structure, function and style of the buildings. It is important for them to communicate with each other and with the client about the best ways to maximize the building and ensure maximum functionality.

What Happens After You Hire a Residential Architect?

Now that you know what exactly an architect does, you can understand that it is very important to hire a professional architect when planning to build or reconstruct a property. But what happens next? Listed below you will find the next steps that you can expect after you have decided on which architect you want to hire:

1. Concept Design

The first step in the process is to discuss your vision with the architect of your choice. By telling him or her exactly what you want, you can make sure that your expectations will be met. If you are relatively open in regards to your plans, in this step you can also ask your hired architect for suggestions and they can let their creativity run free. The goal is to design a concept that you are absolutely happy with, don’t hesitate to tell the expert if you are unhappy with any ideas.

1. Design Development

Once you have decided on a concept, the idea has to be brought to paper to get further developed. With years of experience and based on council overlays to produce a series of drawings according to your wishes. 

1. Town Planning

The next step, the town planning phase, involves checking council obligations and managing any possible objections. If necessary, your hired architect will liaise with the local council for you, so you don’t have to worry about that.

1. Construction Documentation

In the previous step, you have obtained a planning permit. In this step, however, it is all about construction. For this stage, more detailed drawings are required in order to apply for a building permit. In this documentation, every single detail outlines exactly what is planned to be built. 

1. Contractor Selection

The next step involves choosing the right contractor for the project. The goal is to reach a mutual agreement between the contractor and the builder. This can be achieved by sourcing quotes and comparing all offered inclusions and exclusion. 

1. Contract Administration

Throughout the entire construction process, there will be inspections in order to ensure that all parts of the contract are being completed.