FIND AN ARCHITECT
The Glasgow Institute of Architects is a chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and takes in the south-western areas of Scotland including Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway, Argyll, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire.
Use the RIAS directory to find an Architect close to you.
WHY USE AN ARCHITECT?
Whether you’re thinking of adding a porch to your house, taking on a community building project, or looking to develop an office block, it makes sense to consult a professional. Architects offer unrivalled training and experience in the design and construction of buildings, and can provide a service that extends well beyond producing a set of drawings.
ARCHITECTS DON’T JUST DRAW
Architects are trained professionals who have the skill, training and knowledge to guide you through the entire building process from establishing your brief and early ideas, through technical designs and drawings, to inspecting the work on-site. They can act as your agent through the Planning and Building Warrant process and administer building contracts on site. Simply put, an Architect is there to ensure the building you wanted is the building that is built.
AN ARCHITECT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY
An Architects fees should not be seen as an ‘extra over’ or additional expense but be factored into your budget. Once appointed, an Architect can in fact save you money in a number of ways: they can assist in establishing your budget, produce designs which are smart in their use of space, ensure the materials and fittings match your budget and aspirations, evaluate costs from contractors, and ensure cost-savings are built into the life-cycle of your project through energy-saving solutions.
ARCHITECTS CAN HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS
An Architect can help you think about what you really want from your building. They can help you establish your brief and tease out what is really important to you - even if you think you don’t know it yourself yet! Through that process, you’ll be able to make decisions on how you want your building to feel, what materials you would like to use, and much much more. You may even come to the conclusion that you can actually achieve your dreams by re-planning your existing home rather than building an extension or new house altogether!
‘ARCHITECT’ IS A PROTECTED TITLE
Architects are professionals with a minimum of 7 years training and have passed final examinations which allow them to use the title ‘Architect’. This is different from an ‘architectural designer’ or ‘architectural technician’: the title ‘Architect’ is protected under UK law and only those that have met the minimum requirements can use it. This ensures that when you hire an Architect, you know that you are hiring a competent professional that has the experience and skills and met the minimum standards set-out by the Architects Registration Board.
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