Getting to know your Architect – Tips on how to choose the right Architect for you.
What do you do when you have some sort of an idea for your project but isn’t sure where to start? Find someone who does!
An Architect. Bypass that someone who knows that guy who knows this person that lives with that someone who caaaan..build that. You’ll get Nowhere!
Alright, you’ll get somewhere but it’ll probably take you longer than you’d like. If you value good design, why wouldn’t you find someone who is aligned with your ideas to come up with solutions (or creatively challenge them) to achieve your dream? The beginning of the Client-Architect relationship is the most important. You will be dating this person & embarking on an adventure that would probably cost you another mortgage! So why not do it right. Yes, that’s archi-dating for you. It is no less different from what dating is. A form of getting to know you and for you, a way of sussing us, the architects, out!
Imagine this, first, you decide to meet. You contact Ms (or Mr) Brilliant Architect for a quick chitchat. You like how we sound and you arrange a meeting. You will jump at realising that the first meeting is FREE. Well, most practices do.
Keeping it casual, we’ll have a brief discussion on your site, or home or something entirely different! (Doesn’t matter as long as it excites you and us) There will be some pen and butter- paper flirting that aims to WOW you. Ms (or Mr) Brilliant might even whizz out some images or documents that demonstrates her or his knowledge in the matter. As this is the first meeting, it will often be quick, say not more than 60 mins. If there are sparks and explosions in the room, we’ll both know that we’ve found our match! A good indication that the next couple of months or years could potentially be GREAT! Ta –da! That easy.
It is high time that Architects are approached more often. The notion that we will ‘cost too much’, or some might say ‘too expensive than that person we know’ needs to stop. There are good reasons for that which will be further discussed at another time. Give it a go, try having a chat with one, (alright, a couple if you need too) and compare them. You’ll be surprised at the plethora of information or quick tips given by architects that you might not realise were crucial or missing to start your project.
So there you have it. Those are the first baby steps to get to know an architect. A quick phone call or email followed by quick flips of diaries.
A quick tip from me, perhaps try this number first, you won’t be disappointed:
Call Barbara Yerondais of BY PROJECTS ARCHITECTURE
On 9663 8331
or
email: projects@byarchitecture.com.au
or
visit us at www.byarchitecture.com.au
Nurul Sedek
Project Architect
BY Projects Architecture
31/01/2017
I highly recommmend the team at BY Architecture.
Barbara, Howard and the team designed a wonderful extension to my late 1960s Melbourne home, ran the tender process to find me a builder, and superintended the build contract.
The design process that Barbara took me through was comprehensive, well-considered and highly collaborative, and the resulting extension and renovation was incredibly well-tailored to my specific needs and desires.
The tender process was similarly well-run, and we ended up choosing a builder that Barbara had worked with many times before and recommended. The recommendation was a great one and the entire build ran very smoothly, with the many quirks arising in a typical renovation being dealt with intelligently and with no fuss.
During the entire time I worked with them, Barbara and her team went over-and-above to keep me happy. As a result of their attention to detail and their focus on customer service, they ensured that what can often be a stressful time was actually a pleasure. I cannot thank them enough and would work with them again in a heartbeat.
Barbara, Howard and the team designed a wonderful extension to my late 1960s Melbourne home, ran the tender process to find me a builder, and superintended the build contract.
The design process that Barbara took me through was comprehensive, well-considered and highly collaborative, and the resulting extension and renovation was incredibly well-tailored to my specific needs and desires.
The tender process was similarly well-run, and we ended up choosing a builder that Barbara had worked with many times before and recommended. The recommendation was a great one and the entire build ran very smoothly, with the many quirks arising in a typical renovation being dealt with intelligently and with no fuss.
During the entire time I worked with them, Barbara and her team went over-and-above to keep me happy. As a result of their attention to detail and their focus on customer service, they ensured that what can often be a stressful time was actually a pleasure. I cannot thank them enough and would work with them again in a heartbeat.
Barbara is very friendly and easy to work with. Thank you for the great advices.
Response from the owner 23:14 17 Jun 24
thank you Arik. Happy to be helpful 
Barbara and the BY Projects team were fantastic to work with for our knockdown-rebuild. We had no idea what we were doing or getting ourselves in for, and through every stage of the process Barbara explained everything and was supportive and transparent.
She drew plans for a beautiful house for us which fulfilled everything we wanted while adding such flair and style that we never could have imagined ourselves.
I was so glad to have her and her team on my side throughout the build process, as we would have struggled to advocate for ourselves (or even notice) mistakes or defects by the builder.
Overall, we just couldn’t be happier with the final result.
She drew plans for a beautiful house for us which fulfilled everything we wanted while adding such flair and style that we never could have imagined ourselves.
I was so glad to have her and her team on my side throughout the build process, as we would have struggled to advocate for ourselves (or even notice) mistakes or defects by the builder.
Overall, we just couldn’t be happier with the final result.
Response from the owner 06:53 31 May 24
Thank you for your enthusiasm Emily. And thank you for trusting us with your dream Home. It's been a pleasure working with you and your family, and we trust you will enjoy your home for the years to come. 
We recently had the pleasure of carrying out a renovation for Barbara and BY Projects Architecture.
The project ran very smoothly from receiving the plans, to handover day.
Barbara pays very close attention to detail and takes great pride in her work.
We look forward to working with BY again on future projects.
The project ran very smoothly from receiving the plans, to handover day.
Barbara pays very close attention to detail and takes great pride in her work.
We look forward to working with BY again on future projects.
Response from the owner 22:11 30 Mar 21
Thank you Koray. It was a pleasure working with AMCON Homes, we look forward to working with you again in the future. 
Barbara provided excellent professional advice regarding Town planning and approval process by the Council. She went out of her way to find the right information and help me. Will surely use their services again when necessary.
I would highly recommend them.
I would highly recommend them.
Response from the owner 01:37 16 Feb 21
Thank you Jarardhan. We do hope you find a more suitable site soon to build your dream homeBarbara 
We were in a very difficult position after a VCAT rejection. Barbara came into our project and reimagined what was possible with our property. Going from a house with three shops with significantly reduced value to a development with two town houses, a cafe and all able to be subdivided into three separate properties. Barbara was positive, enthusiastic, charming at planning meeting and all in all kept us positive and hopeful. Barbara went through the whole process with us and I would say went above and beyond what would generally be expected. She worked well with our development team, working out strategies for planning challenges. We are very thankful for her time and energy.
We engaged Barbara and her team many times over many years for our Building Development Projects, including Multi Residential, Child Care and Mixed Use. Most recently for a couple of houses in Port Melbourne with complex Heritage Overlay requirements.
Barbara worked with us closely to ensure all design requirements were achieved to exceed market expectations. All permit requirements were managed in a professional and timely manner, and all processes were met on time and on budget.
The finished buildings were outstanding and the realized sales well above market expectations.
We highly recommend BY Projects Architecture for their Design sense and construction experience.
Barbara worked with us closely to ensure all design requirements were achieved to exceed market expectations. All permit requirements were managed in a professional and timely manner, and all processes were met on time and on budget.
The finished buildings were outstanding and the realized sales well above market expectations.
We highly recommend BY Projects Architecture for their Design sense and construction experience.
I have worked with Barbara and the team at BY Projects on a number of projects now. Its hard to think how you could get better value for money. They are great architects - that goes without saying. But its the extra mile they go to on your behalf in order to secure the very best for you that makes all the difference. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for your next project.
Response from the owner 06:02 24 May 19
Thank you Virginia for your kind words. It is always a pleasure working with you. 
