Do we need an architect? Structural engineer and kitchen designer? Something else?

[HarryBoa]

We've not long moved into a 1930s house with a strangely shaped galley kitchen. We want to remove a couple of adjoining walls and open it up.

I would like to find someone to design a kitchen in the new space, but because walls are being removed there is more to it than just designing a kitchen. I need someone to advise on supporting walls and someone creative who can think of the best way for us to use the opened up space.

It's a relatively small-scale project - really just altering two rooms - but I don't know who I'd go to for this. It feels like too small a project for an architect and I wonder if I'd still need to find a structural engineer to advise on supporting walls etc. Does anyone know what type of professional I should be looking for? I don't want to pay one person for only half of what we actually need.

I’ve had to get a structural engineer in as I’m having the wall between the dining room and kitchen knocked down, with an extension at the end of the kitchen. The plan is to have corner bifold doors without a corner post, so the engineer is required to advise as to whether we can have a cantilever roof on the extension, as well as advising on the steel that will be required where the kitchen/dining room wall is.

Meant to add our engineer is also an architect.

It definitely sounds like you'll need a structural engineer, so I'd also look for one who can do the architectural work/ drawings. Then once you have those plans, most kitchen places offer design services too.

Don't assume it's too small a project for an architect. When we did an internal renovation project our architect said that she liked to mix small projects with larger ones and that small projects had been something like a bathroom reconfiguration. Not even removing walls.

An architect should bring the creative aspect and have the vision on how best to use the space. Don't hesitate to ask architects if they are interested in your project. If it is too small for them they'll just decline.

Thank you all, that's really helpful.

So it looks as though I need both. Are there many architects that are also structural engineers I wonder? I guess it would make sense if I found someone who could do both.

Have a look for an architectural technician. We used one for a small job and he was very practical and used to doing projects that weren't flashy or exciting and with a limited budget. Most will have a structural engineer that they work with regularly and can recommend.

Oh that's perfect, thanks so much @NothingIsWrong. That looks exactly like who we need!

We just completed a very similar project. We used a structural engineer which was needed for the steel beams, and Karen @oneplanHouzz to design the kitchen layout using the new space. She designed based on what the space would be once the walls were down using CAD software, and provided a full list of all the kitchen units that we would need that we could take to the kitchen suppliers for quotes. Her drawings were also useful to give to the builders for quotes etc. Would thoroughly recommend her.

Thank you @Katff I've seen Karen recommended a few times now. Will look into this also!

Would also highly recommend Karen @ One Plan. We had a really awkward structural pillar in our kitchen (which we had appointed a structural engineer to explore the removal of- decided it was too much) and she came up with some great designs for us with kitchen/living space!