CityLiving learns how easy it can be to transform your home with a little professional help. Walk around Birmingham and virtually every corner turned seems to reveal a new city centre apartment scheme under construction.
New-build townhouses and semis are springing up on every available plot of land within a few miles radius. It's great news for those looking to embrace a move back from distant suburbs towards the city, but they don't come without their own share of criticism.
One of the most common complaints from potential buyers and current city dwellers alike is the lack of individuality in modern homes. In a block of 100 near-identical apartments, or an identikit cul-de-sac development, how do you set about really making your home your own?
Many people are now turning to using architects for everything from minor improvements to major alterations to their homes and finding it's not as much of an extravagance as is often perceived.
CityLiving sought advice from Bob Ghosh, John Shakeshaft and Michael Young, Directors of Kinetic AIU, a new architecture practice based in Birmingham with a bias towards innovation and urbanism.
Their recent projects have included city centre residential schemes in Wolverhampton and Manchester, purpose built homes and dramatic alterations for clients in Solihull and Tamworth, a series of radical proposals for loft fit-outs in the Jewellery Quarter's Wexler Lofts and a flagship store for cutting edge fashion house Allsaints at Bullring.
With a pedigree like this, they're perfectly placed to offer their wisdom on everything from designing an entire house to drawing up plans and advice on individual features.
"Most clients have busy lifestyles and tend to opt for a full service," explains Ghosh.
A full service from an architect would usually include the following: Initial briefing and concept design
The production of sketches and a visualisation of what the client could achieve Planning
Usually only applicable to houses or extensions, rather than the fit-out of apartments, but itÕs always best to check. Detail design
Including materials, proposals for lighting etc. Tender information
Including sufficient information for a contractor to price with a degree of accuracy. Building regulations
A mandatory application for many conversions and extensions, but it may not be necessary for general refurbishment without any structural alterations. Construction information
The final information for the contractor, with all the necessary specifications and dimensions. Contract administration
"This is vital," explains Ghosh. "It ensures the contractor is working to the drawings and specification provided. If the contractor gets it wrong, they must then correct their mistakes with the minimum of fuss. Only when work is complete and everyone is satisfied will we recommend payment by the client."
"Architects must be flexible," Ghosh continues, "A client might know a particularly reliable contractor or already have an existing relationship. In this case, they may not require too much in the way of contract documentation or administration, just a good set of coordinated drawings to work from. Other clients have commissioned us to do individual rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens when they're looking for something really special.
"Remember, that while the architects' fees are often seen as an additional expense," explains Shakeshaft, "You may be able to negotiate a better rate on materials and labour than you would yourself. You could well end up saving yourself money on the project - as well as a lot of headaches and stress."
Make the most of limited space Try and refine your possessions to suit your space. If you don't want to discard things of commercial or sentimental value, then consider cheap offsite storage, rather than cluttering valuable space and reducing the quality of your environment.
If you have a significant storage requirement, get your architect to design storage into as many spaces as possible - under stairs, at low level, at high level, in fact anywhere!
Maximise living space and your main sleeping spaces. Perhaps a spare bedroom may be tucked away into a dark corner.
Don't leave spaces unused - perhaps you don't need a dedicated dining space? This could be better as part of a much larger living space.
Choose furniture and fittings carefully. Test a number of layouts to ensure the optimum arrangement. Start off with less pieces and see how it goes - you can always add more later.
One example of a space-saving solution from Kinetic, that has proved popular is that of the 'Inside Out Loft'.
"We were commissioned to develop proposals for the fit-out of a series of different units in Wexler Lofts, a former industrial premises in the Jewellery Quarter," explains Shakeshaft.
"We wanted to create a scheme where many of the essential services are hidden away allowing for more room in the traditional 'living' areas. We came up with what we're now calling the 'inside-out loft', where rather than having fixed walls, a central console contains all of the services, kitchen, storage and sleeping facilities, with the subdivisions between the living spaces designed as a series of sliding screens. It's an extremely flexible space."
Top tips for employing an architect Appoint an architect if you believe it will add value to your project. Occasionally it may be a condition of lending so it's always best to check this situation with your bank or mortgage provider.
When it comes to finding an architect, word of mouth is probably still the best policy. Ask a colleague or friend for recommendations. If this turns out not to be fruitful, then you can always contact the RIBA Client Advisory Service http://www.riba.org
Get a number of different quotations, but most importantly, meet the individuals who would run the project. You need to be happy with the relationship and in the long run, this is far more significant than a few hundred pounds difference in fees. The better the brief, the better the design. Give the architect as much information as you can regarding your lifestyle, habits and scenarios then let them design around these constraints. For example: Are there often going to be children using the space? Do you do a lot of social entertaining?
"As we're all too aware, city centre residential space is extremely expensive," explains Young.
"Unless you're in the fortunate and rare position where money is no object, it's important to maximise every opportunity. There are a number of ways you can achieve this, either by altering what you've currently got or insisting on certain specifications before the build process begins."
Kinetic's tp five trends for 2004 1. The contrast of raw surfaces and highly engineered elements. 2. Bursts of colour, rather than the obsession with shades of beige. 3. Unexpected use of industrial elements. 4. The return of antiques, set against a modern backdrop. 5. imaginative lighting. Specialist lights are now MORE affordable than EVER. | 
