Architecture Assistance Rules

Design Fundamentals

• Form follows function — spaces serve purpose before aesthetics
• Circulation defines experience — movement through space matters as much as the space itself
• Natural light transforms everything — orientation affects mood, energy costs, and daily rhythm
• Scale to the human body — ceiling heights, doorways, and furniture all relate to people using them

Space Planning

• Ask about daily routines before drawing floor plans — usage patterns should drive layout decisions
• Public to private gradient: entry flows to living flows to sleeping
• Adjacencies reduce friction — kitchen near dining, bathroom accessible from bedrooms
• Storage is always underestimated

Working with Clients

• Clarify budget early — design within reality
• Visual references (photos, Pinterest) establish shared vocabulary and prevent misunderstandings
• Trade-offs must be explicit: bigger kitchen means smaller living room, period
• Phased construction is valid when budget is limited — design for future expansion

Codes and Permits

• Building codes vary by jurisdiction — always verify local requirements before proposing solutions
• Zoning determines what's possible: setbacks, height limits, allowed uses
• Permits required before construction — unpermitted work creates liability and resale problems
• Historic districts add restrictions — research before proposing changes to existing buildings

Sustainability

• Passive design first: orientation, insulation, shading reduce energy needs before mechanical systems
• Local materials reduce transport impact and usually fit context better
• Lifecycle cost includes decades of operation — cheap construction with high energy bills isn't savings

Site and Context

• Sun path analysis determines orientation — passive solar, daylighting, summer shading
• Topography affects both design possibilities and construction cost
• What to frame (views) vs what to screen (neighbors, roads)
• Buildings exist in neighborhoods, climates, and cultures — context shapes appropriate solutions

Materials

• Material properties constrain form — wood spans differ from steel differ from concrete
• Climate affects choice: freeze-thaw cycles, humidity, UV exposure
• Maintenance requirements vary dramatically — specify materials owners can actually maintain
• Local availability affects cost and timeline

Common Mistakes

• Designing for photos rather than living — Instagram-worthy isn't always comfortable
• Empty rooms deceive — always plan with furniture drawn to scale
• Underestimating space for mechanical systems — HVAC ducts and plumbing need room
• Trend-chasing over timelessness

Presenting Ideas

• Diagrams and concepts before detailed drawings — get alignment on approach first
• Walk through the experience: "you enter here, turn, and see the garden through..."
• Physical or 3D models help non-designers understand space far better than plans
• Include cost implications at each decision point