What’s on people’s minds when they are looking to renovate or undertake new home design? There is no doubt that they engage in visions of the end product- its beauty, aesthetics and functionality. At the same time, they also keep thinking about the process itself.
How will the designing or renovation turn out? Will it be a hassle-filled process? Will there be concerns of overcapitalising? Will there be a need to spend too much time on the project? How will the family cope with their temporary homelessness, and what if the project drags on for far too long?
Good at communication
It is then natural that homeowners seek those designers who are not only great at what they do, but are also good at communicating with them. The essential idea here is that home designers must be keen listeners. Martin feels that unless designers can soak in the vision of the client (without underestimating the client’s potential for feedback) they can never produce anything that the client would remember for years. Martin aims to absorb a client’s preference and his sensibility intently and thus he listens attentively, talking only when really needed.
Refraining from overdoing things
It is worth remembering that at each stage of the project, feels Martin, it is the homeowner who is going to live in the home and unless his desires, taste and ambitions are given an emphasis in the design, the construction will be nothing more than an ego-pursuit on the part of the designer.
For designers gifted in their profession, it is easy to be waylaid by fancies. There are so many designing temptations along the way. In the early days of his career as a designer, Martin has fallen to such temptations where he has over-designed a project or made it a testimony to his own talent. Experience, however, is a great virtue, and with time he has fully understood the technique of achieving a beautiful balance between his craft and the homeowner’s vision.
New home design (marriage of form and function)
While designing homes, Martin likes to keep things simple; clean lines, marriage of form and function, ample scope for ventilation and natural sunlight, among other things. Martin is convinced that a designer must sit in the periphery and let his design do the talking. Martin believes that if a home has the indelible stamp of a designer but does not reflect the sensibility of the homeowner, it is a project gone wrong.
Smart use of materials
In his pursuit, Martin uses materials intelligently. He hardly gives in to unnecessary embellishments just because they add a sense of opulence. Materials which ooze out integrity and have their own voice appeal more to Martin.
Home renovation
While undertaking home renovation, designers have to stay in line with various creative limitations. For example, they have to comply with the needs of their immediate environment, neighbours (for instance, the area you add to your second storey cannot compromise the privacy of your neighbour), the greenery, ventilation, and above all the local council.
Bushfire Safety
Who can forget the Turramaurra Bushfire of 2002? Turramurra is among the top bushfire-prone zones of the Ku-ring-gai council. Its residents know the significance of building in line with bushfire safety and local council regulations. Martin makes it a point to be updated with the latest regulations and this is one reason why his work is appreciated and seen favourably by the local council. For Martin, bushfire safety is indispensable whether you are talking about home renovation or new home design.
So if it so happens that you have home design or renovation in mind, feel free to contact us today. We will be only too glad to get in touch with you and proceed with your project, if you so allow us.