Five Ways an Architect Can Help You Refurbish, Redesign or Add on to an Existing Building

Architects don't just design new buildings. Instead, these creative professionals can also help you modify existing buildings. If you are ready to make changes to a building you own, take a look at the essential ways an architect can help with that project:

1. Surveys, Ideas and Drawings

Invite an architect into your building, and have them measure everything and present you with ideas on making changes. Architects can draft surveys and make drawings based on your existing building and your proposed changes. They can help you visualise what you want and balance it with what's possible and affordable.

2. Consultant Coordination and Leadership

When planning a rebuild, redesign or refurbishment, you may have a lot of people involved. Depending on your objectives, you may seek the advice of environmental engineers, HVAC consultants, electricians, contractors and others. An architect can act as the point person and project coordinator for all of these people, helping to keep your project organised, focused and on schedule.

3. Condition Reports

Especially important if you are working with an older building, condition reports help you understand what needs to be done and whether or not it is feasible based on the current condition of the building.

Architects understand the physics involved in holding a building upright, and if you work with a conservationist architect, in particular, they can let you know if the materials and structures you already have are working or not. If certain design elements are not up to par, your architect can help you decide what needs to be repaired or replaced.

4. Permissions and Applications

Architects are familiar with local building regulations, and as a result, they can let you know if you have to get permission from your local council about your project. Additionally, if your building is part of a historical district, your architect can also ensure you have the permission you need to modify it.

Even if you aren't legally bound to retain historic elements of your building, if you like, your architect can help you conserve various elements to stay in tune with the building's history.

5. Interior Design

Architects do not work exclusively with structures. They also work with other "loose" aspects of the design process including furnishings, window treatments and wall hangings. An architect can work with you along every step of your project, from conceiving the design, to keeping the team on track, to obtaining permits, to decorating and polishing the final product.