Your architectural questions answered

Choosing an architect is an important part of any construction or renovation project. The architect you select will play a crucial role in translating your vision into a well designed and functional space, which is why we've put together some steps for helping you to get that selection right:

1. Define your project requirements: Start by clarifying your project's objectives, scope, and requirements. Consider the purpose of the building, your budget, desired style, and any specific needs or preferences. Having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve will help you find a residential architect or a commercial architect who aligns with your goals.

2. Research and gather recommendations: Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have worked with architects before. Additionally, browse online directories, architectural associations, and websites to find architects whose projects inspire you. Look for architects who have experience in projects similar to yours.

3. Review portfolios and past projects: Visit the websites or online portfolios of architects you are interested in. Examine their previous work to determine if their design style matches your aesthetic preferences. Pay attention to the quality of their work, attention to detail, and the range of projects they have successfully completed.

4. Check qualifications and credentials: Ensure that the architects you consider are licensed and registered professionals. Verify their credentials, education, and professional affiliations. You may also want to check if they have any certifications or specialized expertise relevant to your project.

5. Evaluate communication and collaboration: Arrange a meeting or initial consultation with the architects you are considering. This will give you an opportunity to discuss your project, ask questions, and assess their communication style. Effective communication and a good rapport are essential for a successful working relationship.

6. Consider experience and expertise: Evaluate the architect's experience in handling projects of similar scale and complexity. Look for evidence of their ability to deliver innovative and functional designs. Experienced architects are likely to have a better understanding of construction processes, building codes, and regulations.

7. Check references and reviews: Ask the architects for references from previous clients. Contact these references to inquire about their experiences working with the architect. Additionally, search for online reviews or testimonials to gather more feedback about the architect's reputation and professionalism.

8. Assess the proposed budget and fees: Discuss the architect's fee structure and ensure it aligns with your budget. Be clear about what services are included in the fee and if there are any additional costs. It's important to have a transparent understanding of the financial aspects before proceeding.

9. Evaluate compatibility and shared vision: Assess how well the architect understands your vision and goals for the project. A good architect should listen to your ideas, offer suggestions, and work collaboratively to bring your vision to life. Look for someone who can balance creativity with practicality.

10. Trust your instincts: Ultimately, trust your instincts when making a decision. Choose an architect with whom you feel comfortable and confident, and who demonstrates a genuine enthusiasm for your project.

Remember, choosing the right architect is a critical step in the success of your project. Take your time, conduct thorough research, and consider multiple options before making a final decision.

Here at Tye Architects, we take great pride in our unique approach to client- architect communication. 

When you decide to work with us, we will look closely at your planned project and match you with an architect who suits your needs and style. Once we have made the pairing, your architect will meet with you frequently throughout every stage of the project. Once your project has been completed, they will then meet with you a few more times to ensure that you’re entirely satisfied with the work you’ve done together. 

All of our contractors are established, veteran teams within the industry. We have worked with our network of contractors closely for many years and the quality of their work is unquestionable. 

Rest assured that when working with us, your project will be completed by a network of trusted professionals. 

Tye Architects work on residential architecture projects designing one-off houses including Paragraph 84e houses, and doing alterations to existing buildings, as well as listed buildings. We are residential designers and architects specialising in home extensions, and we also do commercial designs such as our recent International Bank Refit in central London.

We deal with all the RIBA Work Stage stages 0 – 5, from Initial Consultation and Outline Design, Planning and Technical Design to Construction. We pride ourselves in having an excellent success rate at planning approvals. 

These are the typical phases you will go through with Tye Architects: 

• Initial consultation to discuss the design brief;
• Initial sketches of the design;
• We will advise you on the approvals required and will prepare the relevant documents for planning applications;
• We will recommend a quantity surveyor (QS) to calculate costs;
• We will recommend suitable contractors and will prepare more detailed drawings for the contractors;
• We will prepare technical drawings for construction.

We visit the site throughout the project: firstly, to get a grasp of the site and its location and then as work progresses, we regularly make site visits meeting up with the clients as well as with contractors and the other professionals involved. 

You may decide to employ your architect as contract administrator. In this case, they will provide quality control during the build itself; they will deal with queries, conduct inspection, ensure costs are under control, and make informed decisions regarding any changes required.

We are based in Bedfordshire and we work all over the country. We have projects as far south as Devon and up to the north of Scotland. We also work internationally: Spain, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, Cyprus, Nigeria, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Thailand, to name some locations.

We don’t charge for our travel time to sites.

Tye Architects is an award-winning architectural studio based in the United Kingdom. We are a design-based studio, aiming to listen and clearly understand clients' requirements and the site's context to provide architectural designs that not only embrace, but enhance their surroundings.

We work with domestic and international clients on residential and commercial architecture projects of £250,000 and above.

Tye Architects have been featured in many 100's of publications, from international and national books, national newspapers, such as the Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph and magazines such as Grand Designs, Homebuilding and Renovating, Detail and many others. We have won a multitude of design awards for new build houses, conversions, and listed buildings, as well as paragraph 84 designs.

For all our projects we are your single point of contact for the entire team involved in your project; coordinating everything from start to finish. We work with leading consultants in both commercial and residential architecture fields, ensuring that you receive the right quality, time, and cost control for your project. We are here to add value to make any major project come to life and be an enjoyable experience.

We look forward to hearing about your plans, and discussing how we can turn them into a reality.

It depends on the complexity of your project. The main people involved are us as architects and designers, a Quantity Surveyor (QS) who costs the project, a structural engineer, surveyors, civil engineers, contractors, electricians, plumbers, and many others. We can help assemble the professionals on site for a specific job. We share the construction project details, evaluate the bids that come in and, in some cases, negotiate the contracts on behalf of the client.

In more complex projects that require a more detailed planning process such as Paragraph 84e houses, in addition to the people mentioned above, you may need some of the following professionals, for example: a planning consultant, an electrical and mechanical engineer, an ecologist, a heritage specialist consultant, a sustainability consultant, a health and architecture specialist consultant.