The client brief is a document that is used as a starting point in designing a home, and is formed first by the client and then refined with the help of a building designer or, in this case, you.
The client brief will act as a guide throughout the design process and will help form the "foundation" of your home design. The client brief should contain all your most fundamental requirements such as: "our home must be open plan and be an extension of the backyard", "the house must be clean and airy", or "our holiday home will be a haven from city life".
You should collect any pictures, samples (paints, fabrics etc), and any other items that will act as a visual prompt during the design process and give everyone involved a general feel for what you want.
It is essential that your wishes and essential requirements are understood as clearly as possible right from the very beginning.
Note that a client brief does not have to be a lengthy document, often one page will be enough, but your brief should be seriously discussed with the other people in your life who will have a vested interest in the home before design work begins.
Example client brief
Project requirements
- One building that can be separated into two separate and fully functional dwellings, each having an individual and strong sense of entry for use as two holiday rentals or guest accommodation
- Both have an open plan living area with a kitchen, dining and lounge area - opening out onto a sun drenched outside living space
- Parking for 3 cars
- The two dwellings with have a communal meeting place (kitchen/living)
- Spaces need to be: (1) light and airy & (2) sunny, warm and inviting in winter and shaded, cool and protected in summer
- Both dwellings internal spaces must be able to easily interact with gardens and outside areas.
- All spaces need to multifunctional and not oversized
- Ample outside space required for kids play area and a possible future pool
- The dwellings style will be traditional in - materials, roof pitches and proportions but modern in internal finishes
- The windows and doors will be an integral part of both dwellings using double glassing as required
- The homes design in its entirety will have a 'classic' and 'nurturing' feel
Dwelling one requirements
- Two bedrooms
- One bathroom that feels like an en-suite but it can also be comfortably accessed by guests
- Sunny open plan living opening onto the main outside living space
- Fully functional kitchen
- Dining space and lounge area
- Fold-away laundry
- Physical connection to shared kitchen/living/dining area
Dwelling two requirements
- Communal kitchen/living/dining area
- Three bedrooms
- Study nook
- Full laundry
- Private outside living space
- One bathroom that feels like an en-suite but it can also be comfortably accessed by guests
