I have always been questioned by people about what I do as an architect.
As I mentioned, in my previous blog, unlike Ted Mosby from How I Met Your Mother, most architects do not spend their time sitting in a bar, drinking all day long or hunting down their potential future wife or husband. Nor are we like Pritzker Architecture winner, Frank Gehry, where we would sit behind our desk, building funky models and speak in a different language.
As an architect, we can be involved from the start of a building project to the end. Below are just a few services which some are not aware that an architect can offer.
Feasibility Study
Depending on the size and type of development, it is always wise to complete a feasibility study before any design work begins. At BY Projects Architecture, we often suggest our clients complete a feasibility study to discover all risks, constraints and opportunities of a site to form an appropriate brief that is suitable to the client’s intention. This is a particularly important process for an investment project to ensure that it will be a profit building exercise.
Interior Design
It is a misconception that Architects just design the building and are not involved in interior design. Like the famous American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union”.
A building form and its interior design go hand in hand. As an architect, we are trained to come up with big ideas and also to pay attention to details.
At BY Projects Architecture, we not only aim to achieve our client’s needs and wishes but offering more innovative and unique ideas.
Contract Administration
Again, depending on the size and type of development, there will be a different procurement method and contract. People are often misled that a Project manager is better a contract administrator, but this could not be more wrong.
At BY Projects Architecture, we often use the Australian Building Industry Contract (ABIC) Simple Work Contract. Under this contract, we will be an impartial contract administrator who offers assistance to both the proprietor and the contractor.
Below is a list of some of the responsibilities for a contract administrator under the Simple Work Contract
- evaluate and process the builder’s progressive claims & issue progress certificates
- periodically visit the site and ensure that the construction works are conforming with the building contract documents
- provide assistance in assessing and evaluating variations
- provide the contractor with instructions, supplementary details and clarification of the contract documents when required
- adjust prime cost and provisional sums and other monetary sums
- instruct the contractor in regard to any incomplete work and rectification of any defects
- determine the practical & final completion and issue the notice of practical completion & final certificate
Howard Siow
M.Arch (MELB) Hons, RAIA
BY Projects Architecture
13/02/2019
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. 
