Your Dream Home and The art of giving your Architect a great design brief.

In pursuit of your dream home, there’s no doubt that having a great design brief helps strengthen discussions with your Architect from the very beginning. We’ve experienced in-depth briefs down to a specific cupboard size, and others that are completely open-ended—from a simple renovation to a new home, nothing off the table. Based on our experiences, here are our thoughts and advice on crafting a great design brief for your architect—beyond the short and simple.

The Short and Simple

Often, as an architect my go-to questions during initial site visits are a handful of straightforward ones:

-          How many bedrooms do we need?

-          Are you interested in renovating, extending, or going up?

-          What does your family dynamic look like?

-          What is your construction budget expectations?

-          Have you worked with an architect before?

There’s no doubt these details are critical. However, we’ve found they don’t paint the full picture of who you are and what you're about. The answers rarely reveal your interests or your vision for the project. For our studio, the process of developing a return brief is ongoing and refined at each design stage. In this article, we’ll explore key starting steps in beginning a project brief for an Architect.

The Coffee Shop Conversation

Many things in our studio start with a conversation—and if you're stuck on how to write your brief, this is no different. A simple, open-ended conversation with your architect is our first suggestion. We encourage sitting down with our clients for a open session in search of anything and everything beyond the short and simple.

-          Do you enjoy cooking and entertaining? What does a dinner party or poker night look like for you?

-          What are your family’s hobbies—from trips to the nearby park to Friday night game nights?

-          Where do you see value in the project? Often, clients align with a key area of value, whether it's thermal efficiency, low-maintenance exterior materials, or premium interior finishes.

-          What is your ideal backyard space—veggie gardens, large entertaining areas, fire pits?

-          When do you want the project constructed?

-          Is there a need for multi-generational living? What does privacy vs. public space mean to you and your family?

A 30–60-minute introduction conversation with an architect around these topics can provide valuable insight into your project—and help us understand your lifestyle, values, and ambitions.

The Non-Negotiables & The Negotiables

We’ve often been in conversations where a key non-negotiable is identified—often the number of rooms, or, for example, double glazing and achieving a sensible star rating for thermal performance. And that’s totally fair. It’s important to identify your priorities early, within the limitations of budget, space, and time.

-          Backyard space

-          A pantry adjacent to a spacious kitchen

-          A second living room

-          A multi-purpose space that doubles as a study and guest room

These elements reflect what’s most important to you and how you live. Don’t be afraid to highlight what would make the project unfeasible from your perspective.

And then—there are the negotiables. These are the “nice-to-haves” that may be reconsidered once construction budget is further reviewed. For instance, many of our designs include considerations for beautiful landscaping and swimming pools—but if those aren’t a priority, they often fall out of scope as the budget evolves. We find it useful establishing items that are achievable at a later day, alike landscaping and a pool we often see those items being constructed later with no consequences. Establishing a clear list of non-negotiables and negotiables early on brings clarity, priority, and balance—saving time, money, and frustration down the track.

That sense of home - for you

By step 3, hopefully you’re feeling the momentum of a dream project coming together. You’ve narrowed down the simple needs and the more complex, pragmatic elements. Now, ask your family: How do we want the house to feel? Consider:

-          What aesthetic style speaks to you—heritage, contemporary, or completely quirky?

-          Does the architect’s ethos align with your preferences?

-          Are there particular projects or details you love 

Have you created a mood board of inspiration? What draws you to those images? What we’re looking for is what you value—from exposed structures to the mood of a sunset through a glazed panel. Understanding your emotional and visual preferences helps us build a space that feels truly yours.

Conclusion

There is no such thing as a perfect brief. It’s an ongoing dialogue throughout the entire project. Yes, we start with the simple questions—but if you’re looking for reassurance and alignment with the right team for your dream home, the steps above are essential.

-          Be open and honest in early conversations. Talk about yourself, your family, your pets, even the overseas relatives.

-          Be firm on your non-negotiables. Define what matters and remove what doesn’t.

-          Dive deep into your inspiration. Ask why you love what you love—and ask your architect what’s required to bring it to life.

-          By identifying what evokes emotion or meaning, we can translate those cues into design solutions.

In Summary: Briefs are Conversations, Not Checklists

There is no perfect brief—just an evolving conversation between you and your architect. And while we always begin with the simple questions, the real value lies in the deeper discussions around lifestyle, priorities, and vision.

Those first design meetings, consider:

-          Sharing your story. Introduce your family, your routines, your pets, and your goals as your response to a concept design. Be blunt in approach: ‘That laundry is far too small for dexter our border collie’

-          Defining your non-negotiables and negotiables—early and honestly.

-          Exploring inspiration—not just what you like, but what you feel when you see it.

-          Being open to dialogue. Some of the best design outcomes evolve from unexpected ideas and collaborative thinking.    

Final Thought:

Your dream home doesn’t begin with a sketch—it begins with a conversation. The more you share, the better we can design a space that feels tailored, timeless, and truly yours. We would love to hear from you. Call us on +61 401 819 636, email ash@ashleyoneill.com.au, or send us a message through our Contact page.

What to Expect When Working With Ashley O’Neill Architects

When you scroll through architecture websites, it is easy to get swept up in the stunning imagery, perfectly framed photos of finished houses, sunlit interiors, and bold architectural forms. But once you have found a practice whose work speaks to you, a practical question usually follows: what actually happens next?

If you have never worked with an architect before, the process can feel mysterious. How much will you be involved? How long will it take? What will you get at each stage? And perhaps most importantly, will your vision survive all the technical, budget, and approval steps along the way?

At Ashley O’Neill Architects, we believe in making the process clear and collaborative from day one. Here is what you can expect, step by step, through the questions our clients most often ask.

How do we start?

The first step is always a conversation. We meet in person so we can hear directly from you, your aspirations, your practical needs, and your lifestyle. We will also walk you through our process and give you an idea of the overall timeline. This is not just a meet-and-greet; it is where we identify the key parameters for your project, including site constraints, council requirements, and budget expectations.

By the end of this stage, you should have a clear understanding of how we will work together, and we will have a strong grasp of your goals and priorities.

When do the first designs appear?

After our initial meeting, we begin the Concept Design phase. This is where ideas start to take physical form, but before that, we do our homework. That means researching your site conditions, such as existing services, easements, slope, access, and title boundaries.

Once we know what is possible, we translate your brief into several layout options. These are not yet final, they are conversation starters. We encourage you to react to them, challenge them, and discuss what feels right or wrong. Through these discussions, we refine the design into one concept that captures your vision and aligns with the realities of your site and budget.

How detailed will the design get?

The Design Development stage is where the concept becomes more tangible. We explore the building’s form, proportions, and how it interacts with light and views. This is also where we present a preliminary palette of exterior materials for discussion.

You will see 2D plans alongside 3D visualisations, allowing you to experience the space before it exists. This collaborative process ensures you can make informed decisions and feel confident about every element.

What about council or planning approvals?

If your project needs planning approval, we manage it for you. This typically starts with a pre-application meeting with your local council, where we present the design and get early feedback. Based on their response, we prepare the formal submission, including all required documentation such as shadow diagrams or overlooking assessments.

This stage can take time depending on council processes, but our experience means we can navigate it efficiently while keeping you informed at every step. You can see examples of how we have successfully navigated similar processes in our Projects portfolio.

When does the project become “ready to build”?

That happens during the Construction Documentation stage. Here, every detail of your project is documented for accuracy and compliance. This includes detailed floor plans, elevations, sections, material schedules, and specifications.

We coordinate with engineers and other consultants to ensure the design meets all technical and regulatory requirements. This package is what builders will use to price, plan, and construct your home.

How do we choose a builder?

We guide you through the Tendering process, which means inviting a shortlist of reputable builders to price your project. We review their submissions with you, assess their quality, and help you select the right team, not just the cheapest.

We also assist with negotiations and contract preparation so that everything is clear before construction begins.

Will you still be involved once building starts?

Absolutely. In the Contract Administration phase, we act as your representative on site. We conduct regular site visits to check progress against the drawings and ensure quality standards are met.

We also handle queries from the builder, issue instructions when required, certify progress payments, and assess variations. This ongoing involvement means your design vision stays intact right through to completion.

What will the experience be like?

Clients often tell us they expected the process to be stressful, but found it surprisingly enjoyable because they understood each stage before it began. Our aim is to keep you informed, reduce uncertainty, and ensure that every decision is made with confidence.

Working with an architect is not just about creating a beautiful building, it is about crafting a journey that respects your vision, your budget, and your peace of mind.

In short: from the first coffee to the final handover, we are here to guide you, advocate for you, and bring your project to life in a way that feels effortless and inspiring.

Ready to discuss your project?

We would love to hear from you. Call us on +61 401 819 636, email ash@ashleyoneill.com.au, or send us a message through our Contact page.