The architect is “the team captain.” Choose well: they are the one who will turn your ideas into plans and set the tone for the entire project. Here is how to get it right.
The internet: to get a feel, not to decide
Today, many architects know exactly how to present themselves — slick 3D renders, polished posts, smooth talk. But a beautiful image is no guarantee of a beautiful home. Look, compare, draw inspiration — but never stop at an image. A real construction site tells you far more: the quality of execution, the level of detail, the coherence of the volumes, the way materials age.
My method: go out into the field
More instinctive, and often more reliable. Visit the neighbourhoods where there is a lot of building going on. Look at the houses you genuinely like, check the hoardings: the people involved are listed there, including the architect. Note the name, take photos, observe the state of the site — its cleanliness, its organisation. Do this several times, until you have four or five names. Only then should you book an appointment.
Word of mouth: yes, but verify
It is a good lead — but verify! Someone may be satisfied for reasons that aren’t yours: the price, the rapport, the speed, the style… or simply because they had nothing to compare it to. Go and see for yourself.
The right questions before you sign
It is a matter of chemistry, yes, but not only that. A project often lasts more than a year: you need a smooth relationship and a real commitment to high standards. Ask about:
- completed projects (and whether they are truly the one doing the drawing);
- how they follow their sites, and how often they visit;
- how they work with the engineering office, the inspection office and the contractor.
The plans matter. The follow-up matters even more.
My advice
Don’t sign after a single meeting. Go and see the others, compare, let the excitement settle. The right architect isn’t necessarily the one with the best 3D renders — it’s the one who understands your land, your life and your budget, and who will be there, on site, all the way to the end.