How to Turn Complex Architectural Dreams Into Real Homes
In the complex process of designing a new home, dreams and visions of the client and the architect can sometimes fail to be grounded in reality, causing massive disappointment – not to mention waste of time and money – for the homeowner. As such, it’s important to get an idea grounded in reality from the very start of the process. Melbourne Home Design + Living’s Belinda Coleman sits down with Arthur and Christie Ilias Director and Administrator of building and design company Preferred Properties, to discuss the best ways of turning complex architectural dreams into buildable homes.
Preferred properties is a construction company that builds bespoke, architecturally stunning designer homes. The team at Preferred properties have been building since 1999 with over 25 years of industry experience to back them up. More importantly,
the Preferred Properties team consists of experts in both design and construction, making them the perfect people to ask about translating designs into physical builds.
The team work with their own and other designers to create the ideal home, and the Ilias’ have a lot of experience assessing the feasibility of an architect’s designs and shaping them into something that strikes the balance between vision and reality.
What the pair love about design is “the ability to blend creativity with functionality” and “reflect the personality and lifestyle of the occupants.” They also find it immensely rewarding to transform “an initial concept into a tangible reality.” Committed to high-quality output, the team chose to limit the number of projects they take on per-year to a handful of exclusive developments. Dedicated to ensuring that their projects don’t cross the line between visionary and impractical, the team keeps their designs grounded in the reality of the building process.
RECOGNISING OVERCOMPLICATED IDEAS
The team at Preferred Properties are good at recognising overcomplicated ideas. Some of their red flags are complex geometries, extensive cantilevers, and intricate detailing. Instead, they strive for “simplicity without sacrificing creativity.”
Other things that can make a design imparactical are, an incomplete understanding of budget constraints, site limitations, or failure to factor in building codes.
To catch these things early, and avoid these mistakes, the pair encourage thorough feasibility studies and engage in collaborative discussions with the architects very early in the process to ensure that the goals align with reality. They also do site mock-ups to visualise and identify potential challenges and adjust early.
TRIKING A BALANCE
According to the pair, their role is to “act as a bridge between the architect’s vision and the practicalities of building.” Working closely with the architects and the clients alike to find cost-effective solutions. The focus of these discussions is to be collaborative and open dialogue, ending in a better understanding for both sides and a solution that suits both aesthetics and reality.
To help clients save money they recommend adopting “value engineering techniques which involve optimizing materials and construction methods without sacrificing quality.” The pair also engage with contractors during the design phase to identify cost saving opportunities and better ways of streamlining designs.
The Ilias’ say that “by collaborating closely, we can explore inventive solutions that respect artistic intent while ensuring feasibility. This symbiotic relationship fosters innovation without compromising project integrity.”
NAILING IT
“Successfully managing detailed or unconventional designs requires meticulous planning and coordinated efforts among all parties involved,” the Ilias’ told me. They ensure that they implement project scheduling, risk assessments, and resource allocation strategies. They also ensure regular meetings with stakeholders to address any issues that may arise promptly so as to stay on budget while accommodating unique bespoke designs.
A recent project Preferred Properties was working on had a complicated roof design and the team realised very early on that the structure wasn’t going to work, so they worked with the architect to redesign into a more viable option, ending with a very similar aesthetic result that was structurally sound.
ADVICE TO HOMEOWNERS
The couple feel strongly that “getting it right from the start” is integral to delivering a product that they are proud of and that the homeowners love. They attribute their high quality of building with their 25 plus years in construction. Experience has taught them that careful planning and collaboration with architects to create feasible design solutions ensures a much smoother result.
As such, the encourage that homeowners “engage a builder as soon as possible.” Rather than spending months just talking with an architectural designer, get someone in to collaborate on the real-life building of the project. Oftentimes builders will even have their own design team or be affiliated with architects and can help you get started on your project.
It’s very important that the builder be included in the conversation with the architect right from the beginning. Builders can help you collaborate and find something that is “more cost effective and easier to build” saving time, money and effort in the long run, ensuring that you get a design that you’re actually happy with living in, not just something that seemed good on paper.
Images courtesy of Mitch Lyons