Architectural Designs

How to get in to Architectural Design ? ?

Can anyone give me tips on how I can get started in loft conversions & extensions? I would like to get into designing these and want to know how I can learn. At the moment I am working as an assistant building surveyor and doing my second year of HNC Building studdies- but neither the course or my work is covering this area. Appreciate replies.

Public Comments

1. DO CONSTUCRTION MANAGMENT AT YOUR LOCAL COLLEGE IT COVERS THIS SIDE OF IT I AM DOING A LEVEL 2 IN IT. IT IS VERY HARD BUT IT IS GOOD AND THE MONEY U CAN EARN MAKES IT WORTH IT
2. Just for a starting note. The title Building Surveyor is not protected, it is not illegal for anyone to call themseves a building surveyor. Titles like Architect and Doctor are. Basically you need to draw up your plans of the existing building, detail anything that you think is significant. For example: if you are doing a loft conversion and you want to put a dormer in, you will need to detail the roof structure and how you will construct the dormer. That's the simple bit, the reason a person will call a Building Surveyor in to do a simple thing like an extension is because they don't want the builder to construct the project how it is convenient to them. You have to produce a detailed specification to satisfy your clients needs, any idiot can knock up some plans and pass them to a builder and say make this. You need to tell the builder exactly what to make, this ensure that the builder will make exactly what the client wants and also will ensure that the client is getting what they pay for. Other things you must do: Apply for planning permision on behalf of your client, Inform building control of what you are doing and get it passed by them, find your client some builders that can carry out the works for them, Inspect all works and when finished you should snag the works, You should take the money from the client pay the builders fees and your own. Don't be a cowboy, you can produce just plans for people if you want to just make a little bit of money, but why not try and go the extra mile, It will help you along with your studies and in your career.