Have brief will design

There is the verbal kind and there is the printed kind.

Could the printed kind look like this? Or... (image courtesy of getty images)

You prefer to talk on the phone? (image courtesy of getty images)

I’m talking about a brief, the most important responsibility that most of us tend to overlook or worse, dismiss as nonsensical. When you want your architect or communications agency (this at the work level, if your work scope expressly includes it) to address your requirements efficiently, the gesture of preparing a brief will be greatly appreciated because it makes their lives much easier.

The brief can take on two forms: one is the type that you deliver orally, You may go over it on the phone or while enjoying your mocha ice-blended amidst the din in the background, of course with the person the brief is intended for sitting in front of you. This form of brief has to be guided by the notes that one brief giver has prepared beforehand, otherwise it will be very much depended on his or her memory to regurgitate whatever he or she wants the recipient to hear. Yes, this can be dangerous as there will be potential hits and misses.

The other is the documented kind, the kind that you would type lovingly on your PC (I don’t know if anyone still has a working Olivetti typewriter), using the ubiquitous word-processor. And because you have gone so far to actually decide on a printed brief, to stare at the computer monitor without any inkling whatsoever on what to write would be a complete waste of time. The practical side of you would want to start thinking in advance, perhaps come up with some sort of a framework or content just so that your typing will be a little smoother, that is if you know your home keys.

I don’t generally consider the spoken brief as a bona fide brief but we live in a busy world where the paying party does not always see the point in delivering a complete and informative brief. Most of us neglect the importance of the brief for the people who they expect to respond to their needs. How is that fair? When the brief is not in the equation, the receiving end tends to regard your requirement as flexible and to a certain degree, interpret certain areas on their own. Maybe some of you thrive on the thrill of surprises that explorations bring but when there are just too many rounds of going back and forth then you kind of know that the architect (or the account executive or fill in the blank) is lost. Or would you prefer blur as an adjective?

It's no good when your architect is lost (image courtesy of getty images)

Before that fateful meeting with our architect, we wanted to send out the message that we were different and meant business. Already that was achieved through the post cards but we just wanted to reaffirm his initial impression. And so we decided that the brief had to contain information that would excite him as the building designer. Instead of telling him directly what we want, which could sound like an instruction and downright rude, we peppered the paragraphs with hints and cues, hoping that he would get the drift.

Our brief has the following sub-sections:

1. Location: explains the location of the land. It also gives an insight into the arterial network that serves the township the land is located on.

2. Infrastructure status: gives an update on the drainage and parameter works on the plot. Although there is an existing residential estate nearby but being a converted land, it did not come with the infrastructure mentioned. A developer's commitment would vary from one contract to another so do check what is it that the seller is promising you. We've also included some secondary information on the area as a whole to give a well-rounded perspective to the architect.

3. Land use category: states the type of building and this should be residential, unless you are building a factory.

4. Land area: the built-up size of the land.

5. Land tenure: whether it's freehold or lease hold. Ours is freehold. Not sure if this bit is useful to him but he may consider longer lasting materials... That's just me being light.

6. Budget: the amount of money that we are prepared to part with to build. The amount you want to include here should include the architect’s fee as well as construction and interior fitment works, unless you are farming this out to a different contractor. 

7.  Overview: a statement that explains the DNA of the habitat in one paragraph or two. Here's what we have written: A modern and functional single story abode away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A dwelling unit that responds to the needs of its occupants. A stopover that is looked forward by all manners of guests. The design scheme that will delight some and envy most. A home sweet home in the truest sense of the word. 

8.  Architecture flavor: the style that you like. We said tropical modernism, whatever that means. There's Bauhaus,  country industrial, Brutalist, avant garde, art deco, mock tudor, et cetera. Or simply the typical tropical Malaysian. Tepuk dada, tanya selera. Literally, pat on your chest and ask yourself what you like...

9. Unique thrusts: the unique feature of the house. Similar to the DNA but this should be more technical and in reference to the physical structure. 

10. Potential reaction: the kind of reaction we'd desire from the neighbours/public or guests. Of course we made these up but the reactions were realistic. Let me pull out an example: Joshua Chua, renovation contractor looking for potential business - "You know, the house got no fence. Some more, no grille on the window. Let me ask you this, have you seen a house with a flat roof?" The thing is, we don't know if the end product would sport a flat roof but consider this a hint to the architect. He may or may not entertain such hints but these give him an insight into the design appetite that you have.

11. Family information: each and every one of the PH household is detailed in this sub-section but you don't need to reveal too much. Information that would do the job for the architect are age, favourite pastime and personality. This list is certainly not exhaustive. No one will stop you if you decide to shed more light.

12. Household: the number of people in the house. Extremely important although it is just a one-liner bit. The architect would take the headcount into account while designing the living area.

13. Cars owned: just so that he could design a car port that would adequately park our rides. Do be specific and try to look into the future because you don't want that unsightly zinc awning as a result of an afterthought.
14. Other vehicles: other than cars and in our case we meant bicycles. He may want to propose a fancy bike room replete with tools and wall holder or a shed at the back, you never know. 

15. Living spaces: living areas that we wish to see in the house. This would include the living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, study and 'The Box.' You need to identify your living spaces if there's more to the list.

16. Practical spaces: different than the above as this is more utilitarian in nature. Examples include shoe room, storage area, garden, garage, et cetera. Again, do expand the list.

17. Living and practical spaces explained: explain all your entries in greater details. Talk about the personality of each room. Tell him the function of each of the room, the kind of activity you'd carry out in it. Throw in information about materials and finishes as well. Basically, being coy is not the way to go here. 

18. WC (water closet): how many bathrooms and toilets we require. Say so if you want an en suite or two. What about hot water supply? Yeah, say that here too. 

19. Novelty requirements: requirements that would respond to your other needs. Something that is outside of the main structure but would matter as much. Maybe you want a feature wall or a feature door. Or would you like to display your collection of Coca-cola memorabilia from all over the world? Let him know because he will be able to advise you how best to do it.

20. Summary of fitments: we've included this as a sub-section because the architect dabbles in interior design to compliment his main work and we'd like him to design a few items for the rooms as well. Omit this as you see fit.

21. Next steps: what are the next actions on your end that the architect needs to know. Are you applying for a finance facility? Are there any obstacles regarding the land that may hamper on the progress of the construction? You want to put in matters that would have great impact on the way forward, one way or the other. 

What do you think? It’s not that difficult is it? If there is an advice that I could give, start with the brief. Make it right from the beginning. Put your thoughts on paper. Give the architect the much needed reference point that he could go back to again and again. This is certainly not the finest example of a brief content but you are more than welcome to use it as a headstart. So grab your Dell or Macbook now and start typing away! Or do you prefer an Olivetti typewriter?