What happens if you don't like architects design?

[Teasville]

Our architect has just presented their plans for our extensive extension/ renovation project. After initially being on board in the meeting, we went away and thought about it (and looked at plans again) and realised there's lots that we don't like/ doesn't work for us. We suggested some amendments (via email). They made some of them, not all. And that's just made us realise even more that their design/plan won't work and doesn't give us what we want. What happens now? Can we go back to them and say 'back to the drawing board'? Or is it usual that architects present one idea and you just go with it (after minor tweaks)? We feel as if we've missed a stage of 'throwing ideas around' and that the architects are set on this plan they've presented without really exploring it with us.

I've gone from being so excited about this project (and about working with the architects, who we chose after interviewing loads and really carefully considering who we wanted to work with) to feeling really disappointed that we're not actually on the same wavelength.

I’d suggest face to face meetings, it’s much easier to communicate. We are in the middle of a similar sounding project and our architect had to change his original drawing quite a bit to accommodate our ideas. Prior to his first detailed drawing, he did a few small sketches to offer us choices, eg flat roof or sloped on kitchen diner extension. We had a few disagreements, eg where new downstairs loo should go, and where the kitchen should go in the extended, knocked through kitchen/dining room - when we met face to face, he was able to scribble amendments on his drawings based on our discussions. It probably made it more expensive as he spent longer on the project, but worth it for our extension to suit our needs better.

I’d arrange a face to face meeting and hold your ground. At least architect needs to explain fully why they’re proposing what they’ve drawn and why they’re not keen on your idea (there may be reasons your ideas won’t work, but they should explain if so and work with you to find a compromise).

Thanks @Cyberworrier that's helpful (and reassuring). We've asked them for another face to face meeting to talk through what is and isn't working. Keeping our fingers crossed we can get back on the same page.

I had an architect draw up our extension and on his plans he had a whole wall of very shallow cupboards. I asked what for and he said DVD collection (how redundant that is now!). We didn't collect DVDs ( the architect did). But we did have two toddlers. I told him no thanks and he came back with much deeper cupboards for toys.
Another time I was adding a floor and very explicitly said one bedroom with en suite. I got two beds and a separate bathroom. Sent it back.
You're the client. You are paying the money. The architect is trying to put your ideas on paper but sometimes you can't see it until it's on paper. They may have put an amount of revisions allowed before extra charges- look at your contract. But whatever it says you are going to be living there and it needs to be right for you.

Did you give them a written brief? That can really help. What sort of things don’t you like? Ultimately they want you to end up with the right thing so don’t feel bad about making them change things. Are there specific bits you don’t like or Is it just a general feeling that they haven’t understood what you want the space to be? Have you shown them ideas of what you like/ dislike

Yes we gave a written brief and had two long conversations (one via phone one in person) prior to them coming up with plans. These were mostly about general stuff (architecture we like, looking at examples of their other work) rather than the nitty gritty.

There's lots that doesn't work in their plan - orientation of extension, too much unusable space due to many glass walls, no utility room (!), etc etc.

I'm just surprised that they've presented one plan/idea as almost a fait accompli. There are so many options (detached house) and I thought there'd be a stage in between our first consultations and them presenting their plans where we discussed the options and ideas. Our contract says it includes 2 amendments to plans. But I'm not sure what counts as an amendment - what if you don't like their plans and want a different idea entirely (ie more than a small change)?

You can always switch architects. It's not worth throwing good money after bad as you'll spend 100x as much on the project

Talk face to face with architect, if they are good they will understand what you need from your extension. It is not unknown for people to start again with another architect. Family member is one and says sometimes it is the way to go. They have taken on jobs that another architect did not quite grasp shall we say.

That sounds appalling. Our architect did 2 sketch ideas, which we then met to discuss. What he'd drawn was clearly what someone who had never lived in the house might have liked and paid no attention to orientation (South facing bright downstairs loo, North facing dark kitchen/diner). Also included a study area for working from home (which he did but we don't) and no utility.
We had a fairly frank discussion and I explained my issues, he swapped back to front and study for utility in sketch form and, when we were happy with that did detailed drawings.
This is your house and you are the customer, they need to design what you want and can live with.
Our contract had payments due at different stages, one for drawing of existing, one for sketches and meetings and final for plans submitted for building regs. If we'd stopped at any stage we'd only have paid up until then. Are you complete tied in for the whole process or can you ditch them if it's not working out, without completing and paying for, the final stages?

DamnYou no - we can bail at any point. We're not ready to ditch them yet as I think that our issue may be in part mis-communication (we were, admittedly, enthusiastic about their plan in the meeting - it was only after going away and looking at it more closely that we realised the issues). I'm giving the benefit of the doubt at this point and hoping that we can get back on track with another face-to-face meeting.

DP is an architect. It's very common and normal to have to go through at least a few iterations of design to get exactly what the client wants. Your architect should be totally happy to revise the plans. The only exceptions are things like the client not realising that what they want would be structurally unsound / not pass building regulations etc. But that sort of thing is easy for them to clarify with you.

Agree with PPs, I usually present 2 or 3 initial schemes to clients for discussion (unless there is really only one obvious solution and I'd explain this).
It shouldn't be an issue to revise especially if you clarify areas where brief hasn't been met.

We had same problem. Wasted a few thousand with original architect. In the end cut our losses and went to another architect who was fantastic and came up with a design we could never have thought of and she was superb. Have a face to face meeting if still no joy move on.

Yes. You have commissioned them and if you don't like it then they need to re do it. But you really need a combination of being clear either what you want, or what you want to achieve, with their ideas.

We had an architect after having three visit. We liked his ideas. Wast the cheapest but his ideas were more adventurous when working with an existing extension. Came back enthusing about the plans and said he had changed them from the outline we had discussed but he was sure we would love them. I absolutely fucking hated them. He said but it would be cheaper. Well I didn't want cheaper as this is our forever home and I don't want to look at cheaper everyday when I hated it.

So I communicated this very directly and he re drew them. I love the final result now but you have to be really clear what you either want, or what you are expecting. The point of an architect isn't just to drawn the plans, but to give ideas and options to you.

If you do get to the plans stage, make sure you look at the details carefully. Ie sockets and lights. Where are they, are there enough. Our plans had way to little and therefore the quotes were too low. Another one, only one radiator shown. In fact we needed to have underfloor heating due to lack of wall space (large sliders on the back )

Good luck

When we extended and renovated we had 6 options. All sketch plans but it gave us an idea of what could go where.

I’m not sure you have been clear enough if the utility room was missed off. We also don’t have phone calls. Marked up plans and emails are better.

Extensions have to consider drainage as well as other things such as orientation. It’s best to have a site meeting and mark up the plans with your amendments. You also gave to consider how roofs join together and how the internal space flows.

We chose one option, went with it, and have what we envisioned. Internal cupboards are easily changed! Buildings are a big issue to be clear about what you want but listen to the architect if there are problems with what you want.

Is your budget healthy? This often leads to architects taking out design details.