Guide
From idea to plan: the first design steps
Start with a clear brief
Write down who will use the building, how many rooms you need, your budget and your deadline. A one-page brief saves weeks of redrawing later, because every design decision can be checked against it.
Understand the site and the rules
Collect the plot area, orientation, access and local building regulations before sketching. These limits decide how tall, how wide and how close to the boundary you can build.
Compare options before choosing
Ask for two or three layouts instead of one. Looking at them side by side makes trade-offs visible, such as more garden against more floor area, and helps you pick with confidence.