Architecture is the melding of art and practicality.  The aesthetic is just as important as the more down to earth considerations.  The end product is a compromise between these two patterns of thought.  When commissioning the building of a house, an office building, or any structure there are several main factors that need to be taken into account.  You need to know what you need and want, what you can afford, and how long you have until you absolutely must have the finished product. 

What Do You Need?

All clients have needs.  That is how they become clients.  They require a particular good or service and seek out someone who can provide.  The field of architecture is no different.  Clients have details in mind and are looking for help making their dream a reality.  They may need a certain number of bedrooms or meeting rooms and always bring with them a certain vision for the finished product.  This may consist of raw information such as the number of bathrooms per floor, or it may consist of some intangible feeling that they want to emanate from the very walls.  It could be professionalism, comfort, or a feeling of trendy style.  Whatever the goal, the clients communicate their needs to the architect so that together they can explore how best to bring it about.  It takes a lot to go from a half-formed idea to a finished project.  The client needs to specify a location, a size, and do a lot of browsing to find the perfect handles for the kitchen cupboards.  Basically, it all starts with the client.

Do You Really Need A Budget?

It seems wrong to limit the art inherent in architecture with talk of budgets, but who wants to be surprised when the bill comes?  Sometimes money is not a major consideration because the given project can easily be completed with the allotted funds.  Sadly, this is often not the case.  Establishing a budget helps to curtail the unnecessary excesses that spring to mind when you are creating your perfect space.  Pure gold faucets may sound essential in the initial stages, but then you have to consult your budget.  This may be when you decide that as long as the water comes out in approximately the same place every time, some less expensive faucets could work too.  The word budget may not be the most pleasing to the ear, but it does save you from some nasty surprises down the road.

How Long Will It Take?

Finally, what is your timetable?  Do you need to move in by a specific date or do you have time to spare?  Complete planning involves estimates on the time it will take to complete each stage of the planning and building process.  Thorough planning will also allow for some delays because every once in a while things do not go perfectly.  Expecting it can help manage the frustration when it happens.  It is easy to assume that everything should go according to plan and that everything will only take exactly as long as it should.  Life, however, usually has other plans.

There are almost countless aspects involved in creating a new building.  The minutiae that go into any such project are almost limitless.  From taking the client's needs into account to managing factors like cost and time, the field of architecture does not lend itself to small undertakings.  There is a lot of work to be done and plenty of decisions to be made.  It is worth it when you are able to see and enjoy the finished product, and it is so is nice to have a beautiful place to spend your days.