The ultimate success of your project depends on the quality of your brief ie. your ability to clearly describe for your architect the requirements and functions of your building, and proposed methods of operation and management. It is wise to ask your architect to assist you in preparing a final brief. Your architect will need to know:

• Your aims
• Your design style
• Are you looking for a design in keeping with the existing building?
• Do you want a contemporary or high tech design. Are you concerned about having a sustainable/ecological design?
• Your reasons for embarking on this building project: What activities are intended for it?
• Your authority: Who will be making the decisions? About the design? About costs?
• About day-to-day matters when the project is underway?
• Your overall expectations: What do you hope to achieve by this project? A more comfortable place for you to live in?