Architecture Prime Ltd is the practice of Registered Architect Paul King, a leading Freelance Architect based in Christchurch and working on projects across New Zealand. Paul is particularly interested in challenging commercial, institutional and residential projects, and rather than simply prescribing slick looking answers copied from the latest design magazines, finds that collaboration with intelligent clients, as well as builders and others in the project delivery team tends to yield more effective, interesting and even exciting solutions. If he has learned anything in 25+ years of practice, it is that valuable design insights and opportunities can come from the most unexpected quarters.
Inside Job?
Some of Paul’s most demanding clients are other architects (many of them award winners) – the ultimate ‘industry insiders’.
Architects tend to know what it takes to achieve a good outcome, and also know that Paul’s depth in design skill, experience, cutting edge technological expertise and problem solving ability is seldom found together in one person – so they generally keep Paul pretty busy with freelance building design, documentation, design visualization, marketing and other consultancy work.
Paul is not the right fit for every project or client, but if you think you may like to ‘cut out the middle man’ and work with him directly, workloads permitting he does sometimes take on selected private clients who meet certain criteria.
So, let’s say you are not an industry insider yourself, but after chatting with Paul think you may be a good fit; what would the merging of these different strands of expertise into one person actually do for you? Where is the point of difference?
Every project is different, but in a nutshell, the answer would generally be along the lines of increased efficiency and effectiveness, more personalised service, and more attention to detail – all the ‘behind the scenes’ time, energy and cost normally involved with managing a multi person team, with all the associated office overheads, goes directly into your project instead. You get more bang for your design buck.
Outcomes?
As a benchmark for success, Paul should also achieve at least these 5 key things for you:
Upgrade your life – A large claim there for sure, but think about it – your surroundings have a profound impact on how you live and how you feel every day. Good design can deliver HUGE benefits for your lifestyle! And of course help you provide the best for your family, employees and customers.
Respect the environment – Every project has unique opportunities and challenges but good design always has a positive rather than negative impact on its environment, in every sense of the word. Paul will design sensitively to respect and enhance your site, your neighbourhood, and to meet your energy efficiency and other sustainability goals.
Build with confidence – There are many “architectural designers” out there, and some of them are even quite good, but only a genuine Registered Architect has met stringent qualifications, skills and experience requirements – With many thousands of dollars at stake if things go wrong, and thousands to gain if the design work is better than average, entrusting your financial future (and peace of mind) to the lowest bidder may not make a lot of sense.
See what you are getting – Integrated 3D design visualisation technology lets you really understand what you are getting as the design evolves, and before it is too late to change! Compelling images help communicate and market your proposal to others as well.
Maximize value, minimize cost – Good design improves your return on investment. Ask any real estate agent – the same budget can simply achieve that much more for you and your bottom line if intelligently designed for. Your mileage may vary, but a house Paul designed in Halswell, Christchurch recently sold for around 5 times the build cost.
Paul can be contacted here or by emailing [email protected] if you would like to know more about any of the articles on this site, or to pick his brains for some options and suggestions relating to a project you are considering.