BuiltArt Ltd

ARE YOU ABOUT TO MAKE THE HUGE COMMITMENT NEEDED TO BUILD OR RENOVATE A BUILDING
If so you need to step back and ask yourself critical questions now before you start , is this the Architectural designer that I would like to take the process all the way with? Do I trust this designer ?
So  here is a list of the critical points that we personally would base your decision on.
1) Does the designer listen to what I want . As opposed to pushing their ideas and agender all the time. Are they a good listener?
2) Is this Designer honest and fair - this is critical in business, leaving nobody feeling they have been taken for granted. Building always has issues that need resolving and problems will arise. 
Architectural fees ?- At present we charge $90 NZD per hour for our fees. We track exact hours worked on a computer program, we are happy to share that time sheet for transparency and trust. We also provide a free quote for Stage 1 Concept design. When you have a complete concept design we move to Stage 2 Construction drawings set. A complete set of construction plans/documents you need for building consent application.
Be wary of using designers whom "think they are worth more than they really are". Humbleness is a real virtue here. Do you trust your Architectural designer, are they realistic enough to charge what they are worth.
3) Can this designer actually design beautiful buildings .This question is the absolute critical one and you need this to be highest priority. Why ? Well the hard facts are if the building is beautiful the buyers want to pay a lot for it. Simple fact - good design adds a lot more resale value and holds a strong demand in a market. Why do you think the coolest looking cars sell so well. Its all the same - get the proportions/shapes , style , colours , function, details, materials, function  correct and you have what we call the Xxx factor - timeless design. People will spend money on the Xxx factor. Boring un-imaginative is not popular. Wow factor is very popular. This requires learned applied design principles/skills. Honestly its no different to a seasoned musician whom has done their time.
I personally spent 8 years full time at university to learn what good design requires. I completed 2 Architectural Degrees and 1 Associate Diploma in Architecture. 1 Advanced Trade Certificate in Sheet Metal Engineering.
Honestly, Choosing your designer for their "design skills" is critical. A good designer can get you the resales that you need. Whether you are selling the building or renting it, you need the sales.  I understand the value of “less is more” or the Art of simplicity. The Art of simplicity applies for ease of construction and so results in less cost to build. This is a real virtue when dealing with such large construction costs. Our challenge as the designers is can we create beauty in the building with less construction.
 At Builtart we believe that our designs will sell from the plans and 3D pictures  if you choose , before you have to start building. Therefore transferring the cost to build to client.
This can be a key to your project succeeding. Therefore reduce a lot of risk for you. 
Or you may be simply changing your building for your latest needs. 
4) Can this company show me a good example of a timeless design. ? Yes we would love to... and provide you with a free complete set of drawings ( copy write law applies) of most designs on our web site. Most of our designs are built.
What is good design and beautiful style ?. Or what we claim to be timeless design.
After long years asking this question we have some good answers.
By applied study of the famous "legends of Architecture. Note: they only become "legends" if they deserve it. As a result their buildings have become sort after and most photographed they are usually featured in the best books .In that endless pursuit of trying to understand what "they know that I don't " you discover certain design principles that must be applied to the Art of Architecture. I believe Architecture to be an applied Art" you can feel/see when it is well done and harmonious and not imposing and out of balance. Are you being sold a bad design with "magic manipulative words". Don't let a skilled talker convince you towards something you know intuitively is not a good result. Be wary, Intelligent talking is not always able to produce balance and harmony. Its just words.  
Good design requires knowledge or study of design principles from years of disciplined application. Most designers get better with age.
The Architects I have followed claim that they are masters of simplification. Meaning simplicity in ordering of shapes , good resolution, practical functionality.  Or good architecture is a response or reaction to the real forces acting on the environment. As with music when a song is harmonious it will add a healing factor.... harmonious environments have a healing effect on the users. They are very functional as well.
So what are these real forces acting on your design ?
Environmental - Sun/ Air flow/ Views/ light/ Space /Durability
Housing social occupant needs. Community eg: can this building create community connection or does it create isolation/loneliness.
Access - cars/ pedestrian/ view shafts/public and private space.
Cost to build - Feasibility sales price if profit is to be created or end value known. 
Building codes - District Planning rules satisfied, The many NZ building codes to comply with. 
Market forces - what market are you trying sell to. 
Design principles- materials used - applied attention to detail. Proportions are critical
Culture and History - of the proposed users and their future needs. 
You need to ask yourself, do this these statements ring true in me? If yes then your questions are answered. 
At BuiltArt we create strong relationships with our clients - trust and integrity is critical .
To understand our clients needs is a creative listening process.
Artistic expression - this is a combination of the designers visionary ideas and creative process applied through critical design principles. A good visual result requires something to be refined with higher effort to a more resolved/optimized state. A cyclical process of changes. ( I can explain more if needed)
Then to materialize the client ideas combined with our own creativity into a functional and aesthetically beautiful building. To aim to create timeless Architecture that will transcend the cycles of fashion. Yet be fashionable to the highest degree for future users.
Contemporary-unique -timeless design - we will design what you desire.
Our buildings sit in harmony with their environment .Frank Lloyd Wrights writings on architecture "Organic Architecture " gives us strong guiding principles of design to apply.
"Love Architecture so much that you will not allow yourself to do substandard work, you become your toughest critic " - Frank Lloyd Wright ..was so right.
Frank was also famous for saying "you can change your design with a pencil eraser now, or a sledge hammer on site" , get it right now as Architects crimes are permanent.

With my 45 years experience in the industry your greatest investment is to be trusted in our care.
We offer a first meeting in our office free for you to discuss your project.
All our staff at BuiltArt Ltd hold a university degree in Architecture .
Our skills are always being further trained to advance us as professionals.