Architectural study

An architectural study awaits you right at the beginning of our collaboration. It's a crucial step that can't be skipped, but it's also not the final stage. No, you really can't build based solely on an architectural study. Following it are additional phases of detailed project development, cost estimation, material selection, and only then comes the actual realization.

Creating Together

The architectural study is the phase where we "fine-tune" our approach. We'll discuss your brief in detail: what you're envisioning, you'll share with us your unrealistic plans (especially those related to the budget). We'll then ground those ideas and figure out the best path for you. Yes, we might dissuade you from making drastic changes if your budget doesn't allow for it, but we'll also encourage you to expand your budget if we see untapped potential that would be a shame not to utilize, and you have the means to do so.

We create the study together. We don't just take your brief and dazzle you two months later with something you might throw in the trash. We'll consult every step of the design with you, tailoring it directly to your needs. In this way, you become a co-author of the project. That's why each of our designs is unique because each client is unique. Every realization is, therefore, one of a kind.

Layout is Fundamental

In the architectural study phase, the layout is the most crucial element. It forms the foundation of the entire project. At this point, the choice of colors and materials is secondary because a functional layout is the bedrock of everything. The goal is to ensure smooth flow within the interior, to avoid any collisions, and to make sure nothing is missing. Even when designing a new family home, we always start from the interior. We believe that a house is for living, not to take the breath away from passersby. So, in this case too, we start with the layout, aligning it with the overall massing of the house.

Color and Material

The next step involves coordinating colors and materials. We won't argue with you or force you into anything. We'll merely guide your ideas and perhaps add something you hadn't even considered. We're designing the house or apartment for you, not as our showcase. After all, you'll be the one living in it, not us. From the beginning to the end of our collaboration, we're partners, seeking the most suitable path. We "outline" this path in the architectural study and then further develop it in subsequent phases.

Lighting Concept and Visualization

Another important point at the beginning of our collaboration is the lighting concept. It's the lighting that either underscores the interior or can completely ruin it—like creating a pleasant atmosphere when you come home from work. Because it's such a critical element in the overall design, we will elaborate on it in greater detail in one of our upcoming articles. We conclude the study with realistic visualizations. We consider this to be a very important tool to help you understand what to expect. You might not even realize what you've actually approved during the study, and the visualizations serve as a confirmation that the chosen solution won't be too dark, too white, too cold, etc.

You might think that inspiration from an architect is enough, and then you can handle the rest yourself. However, the entire study is not developed to that level of detail. We address "how things look" in it, but not how much they cost or who will supply them.

Of course, in the design phase, we will work with items and elements that fit into your budget, otherwise you might consider the study a waste of time. We will focus on what might appeal to you, and in subsequent phases, we will select specific surfaces and products according to price and supplier. Another reason is that at this early stage of collaboration, we simply can't capture all the details of how to process each element. So why not build based on the architectural study? Well, if you decide to build based on the study, you'll run into a lot of issues that need to be resolved. You'll only feel frustrated that you wasted time and ultimately have to figure everything out yourself. The study alone is simply not sufficient for meaningful construction. The most important aspect is not the design, which any talented architect, even a beginner, can manage. The most crucial part, in our view, is the actual realization. In our designs, we work with what can realistically be implemented without indebting future generations. And how long does all this take? Ideally six to eight weeks, but it always depends on your availability for joint meetings.

You can also find more in our podcasts, where we delve into the construction and the entire complex process in detail.

by Radka - 10. 8. 2023