028 9023 2524
info@askanarchitect-ni.com
FAQ’s
Here you can find the questions we frequently get asked. If you have a question that hasn’t been answered please get in touch: info@askanarchitect-ni.com
How can I book?
- Select an architect using our Find an architect function. Bookings are open now until 20th May 2018.
- 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 11:59pm on 20th May, 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 – booking is now open.
- 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. Booking is open now. 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 ‘ask an architect’ week, 14th-20th May 2018. 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.
Thanks to our sponsors…
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 Monday 14th to Sunday 20th May 2018. 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.
What is the Jill Todd Trust?
The Jill Todd Trust was established in commemoration of Jill Todd’s personable, active and talented life which was taken after a short but aggressive cancer-related illness. Jill was only 23 and the daughter of local architect Barrie Todd. The Jill Todd Trust is a charity registered with the Northern Ireland Charity Commission No: NIC102553
What is the minimum donation?
£40 is the minimum donation but you are welcome to donate more!
What should I bring to my consultation?
The architect you book with will contact you to agree when and where your consultation will take place. Your architect will let you know if it would be beneficial to bring anything along. Here are some examples of things that your architect might talk to you about
- An Ordnance Survey ACE Map showing your property – This can be obtained from Land + Property Services, 7 Lanyon Place, Belfast BT1 3LP Or online at www.nidirect.gov.uk/OSNI
- Photographs of the property and its surroundings
- Dimensions of the existing property if you’re considering building and extension
- Dimensions of a site if you’re considering a new build.
- A list of accommodation that is required giving details such as number of occupants and the function of the particular rooms etc.
- Images of similar properties that you admire.
- An indication of your building cost budget.
When is ask an architect happening?
Booking is now live and consultations will take place in the week from 14th to 20th May 2018. (However, if this week really doesn’t suit you, you can ask your architect for a consultation outside of this period.)
Who are the organising bodies of ask an architect?
The Jill Todd Trust; PLACE – [The built environment centre]; The Royal Society of Ulster Architects and Friends of the Cancer Centre.
www.jilltoddtrust.com www.placeni.org www.rsua.org.uk www.friendsofthecancercentre.com
Who should I contact if I have a question?
If your question hasn’t been answered here, please contact PLACE:
- by phone on 028 9023 2524
- by email at info@askanarchitect-ni.com
I found the exercise very useful, in that it both opened up and clarified my thinking. It did inform my eventual decision and I’d encourage anyone thinking of doing any work to avail of the opportunity.
When we went to see Patrick we had planning in place. I wanted to get his opinion on what we were building and if he saw any major mistakes. He highlighted a few areas which we have taken on board. In order to keep our planning we proceeded by starting with our garage whilst re-examining the items he mentioned.
I wouldn’t have thought of consulting an architect for a very small project. The consultation through ask an architect showed my idea was feasible. Without ask an architect, the idea would probably just have remained an idea!
