The process of building a house: from concept to reality

Making the decision to build a house, whether it is a new build or a renovation or refurbishment of an existing property, is a challenge that involves effort on many levels for those undertaking it: financial above all, but not only. Making good or bad choices at the outset will mean that the process, which is already long in itself, will be either satisfactory or tortuous.

In this short text, rather than focusing on the steps to follow in a renovation or refurbishment (we will focus on this on another occasion as it has its own specificities), we would like to focus on the steps to follow in building a house, from the moment the idea is conceived until it becomes a reality.

Many clients come to the studio with doubts about the extent of the involvement of an architecture studio like ours, whether we only design an idea and later they will have to work with another studio to monitor and execute the work, or whether they will have to be the ones to find the materials and the construction company to make their ideas a reality.

Why choose an architectural firm to build a house?

Our answer is that Piano Piano is an “architectural firm.” What does that mean? It means we are a firm that works from the moment the idea begins to take shape until the project is completed and the house is ready to move into. Throughout this process, our goal is to make the client feel supported and protected.

We emphasize this to highlight our independence and differentiate ourselves from architects who work hand in hand with construction companies or architects who work side by side with developers. All options are valid and suitable for a particular type of project and client, depending on their priorities in terms of project control, budget, and peace of mind. Defining ourselves as an “architectural studio” is the way we see fit for a client who is looking for a tailor-made project adapted to a specific location, landscape, and specific conditions and needs.

At Piano Piano, we say that our name reflects a prudent process in which we establish, in a logical and coherent manner, the fundamental bases or pillars on which any design process will be supported. Opting for an architecture studio from the very beginning, when the project is still just a concept, brings coherence, rigor, and comprehensiveness. In summary, below we outline the stages that make up this process.

Building a house with Piano Piano: support, planning, and consistency

In the first phase, we conduct a preliminary study to verify the feasibility of the project in economic, regulatory, and design terms, based on the plot of land where it will be located, the regulations that apply to it, and the client’s budget.

Once we have established that the project is feasible, we begin one of the most enjoyable phases: the preliminary design, in which a myriad of ideas emerge from the client’s requirements and the possibilities offered by the specific location.

For us, imagination is a catalyst for the creative process, an exciting moment when we begin to intuit the spatial, material, sensory, and cultural aspects of a future project based on our experience, a project that does not yet exist but is beginning to take shape in our minds.

After several meetings with the client and an exchange of ideas, we arrived at a proposal on which to move forward. We have to generate all the documentation required for the construction of a house: justify that it complies with the regulations that affect it, detail a budget that determines all the items that comprise it, and define absolutely all the details so that, once the work begins, there is nothing left to be resolved quickly and improvisedly. At this stage, we work alongside other technical specialists who complement and enrich the project in terms of structure, installations, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. Or, if the project requires it, we even work with landscape architects, archaeologists, architects who are experts in heritage, or architectural visualization. Our goal is always to create a personalized project that the client can identify with and that suits their needs, in which they can visualize and understand every detail, taking the architecture to a level they can recognize: sensations, materials, light, color.  

From idea to completion: building a turnkey home step by step

Once the project is finalized, we assist the client in finding the most suitable construction company, considering aspects such as budget, affinity, and trustworthiness. Although we defend the client’s interests vis-à-vis the company that will carry out the construction work, putting their needs and the merits of the project first, we feel comfortable understanding that the work is a team effort in which each party contributes from their own role. We believe that all contributions are valuable, as long as they are aimed at enhancing and enriching the final result.

The construction of a house also involves the technical architect who, also independently of the construction company, works with us to ensure that the construction process is fully controlled. Precise and almost obsessive work during the design phase makes it easier for all of us to monitor the construction process and ensure that the final result is as close as possible to what we have been working on with the client for months. The construction of the house is complete and it is ready to move into!

Over time, we feel very comfortable following up with our clients to gauge their satisfaction. A project may be finished, but time transforms it. We try to make our clients understand that allowing a house to be flexible and adapt to the needs that changes in life require is a wise solution; nothing is set in stone. In the future, it avoids drastic changes, unnecessary renovations, and therefore saves money. Being able to witness a house evolve alongside those who live in it is something that fills us with satisfaction.