FAQ’s

How can I book?

• Select an architect using our Find an architect function.
• Click ‘book a consultation’. This will bring you to an EventBrite booking page where you can make a minimum donation of £40 to secure your consultation.
• As long as you book before the project closes at the end of May 2020 your chosen architect will be in touch with you to organise your consultation at a convenient date.

• The architect will also organise:
  • the location of the consultation (in the architect’s office/at your house/on site etc.)
  • how you can get the most out of your consultation

How can I get involved?

It’s very simple…

• Members of the public: Book an hour-long, personal consultation with an architect. From a small renovation or extension to a whole new-build, your project can be of any size or scale. You can get an architect on board at any stage of your project, to help at the earliest conceptual stages or the last moments of problem-solving.
• Businesses: ask an architect is not only for residential clients – if you are considering work on your business premises you can go through ask an architect as a way to realise your ambitions and give back to your community. ask an architect also makes a great cause for sponsorship, connecting your business to the local architectural community and clients involved in building. Thanks to our kind sponsors, 100% of donations we receive go to the Jill Todd Trust and Friends of the Cancer Centre. If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, contact us at info@askanarchitect-ni.com and we can have a chat.
• Architects: Pledge at least three hours of your time during the ask an architect initiative from February until the end of May. Email us at info@askanarchitect-ni.com to sign up.
• Of course, all funds raised are much appreciated, so even if you don’t book a consultation, you can donate directly to the Jill Todd Trust at this link, or you could hold a fundraiser. For any questions, contact us at info@askanarchitect-ni.com

How will my donation be spent?

Thanks to the generosity of ‘ask an architect’ donors and sponsors, 100% of funds raised will go to The Jill Todd Trust. In addressing one of the registered objectives of the Trust, funds raised will go to assist research, conducted in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Belfast City Hospital, into finding a cure for cancer – via its affiliated charity – Friends of the Cancer Centre.

What can a professional architect do for me?

• Help you achieve your aspirations and vision
• Provide new creative solutions
• Add value to your project through good design and sound construction
• Guide you through the design and construction process
• Give you peace of mind

What can I expect from the consultation?

At your consultation,  the architect can advise on any size of building project from a loft conversion to a new build (domestic, commercial or civic). Some things you might discuss:

• Information on building costs or construction techniques
• Discussion on building materials likely to be used
• Planning requirements or Planning Exempt Development.
• The documents that will be used for planning; tenders; and building contracts
• The potential pitfalls or opportunities that comes with a building project
• Guidance on architect’s fees and services

Architect Aisling Shannon Rusk wrote a blog post for us, explaining the kinds of things she discusses in consultations with clients.

What is ask an architect?

ask an architect is a Northern Ireland-wide fundraising event happening from February to May 2020. Professional architects in every corner of Northern Ireland will be volunteering their time and expertise allowing you to book a consultation with an architect of your choice, in your locality, while raising funds for the Jill Todd Trust. 100% of funds raised will go to assist research into finding a cure for cancer, conducted in the Cancer Centre of excellence at Belfast City Hospital via its affiliated charity the Friends of the Cancer Centre.

What is the Friends of the Cancer Centre?

Friends of the Cancer Centre has a long and proud history of helping local cancer patients across Northern Ireland over the last 30 years. Based at the heart of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, the charity funds life-saving and life-changing projects that make a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands of local people affected by cancer and in the last year alone, Friends of the Cancer Centre has put nearly £1.8 million back into the Cancer Centre.