How to prepare Thank you for considering working with us for the design and

documentation of your new home. Here is an outline to help

a brief for your you get started and compile your ideas into a written brief.

new home
There are no set rules on the format of a brief and you may not
necessarily get it a 100% the first time, but it is important to start
putting all your ideas down and prioritising them so that the project
can start moving forward. The more thorough and detailed the brief is,
the closer we will get to achieving the home that you want. That said it
is more important to get the big picture right, as there will be plenty of
time to refine the smaller details later.

It doesn’t matter if there are some contradictions or if you differ in your

opinions, make note of these differences and these can be resolved in
the design process.

1. Start with a description of your site

Gather as much information on the site as possible and append this to

the back of your brief. This will include a certificate of Title (CT), legal
information / covenants. It may also include a topographical survey;
geotechnical survey and any existing plans or previous site information.

It is useful to note why you bought this site in particular, what you love
about it and what do you see as potential limitations. There may be
specific views that you would like to focus upon, either generally or
from particular spaces.

2. Take a look at the big picture

What is the main driver behind why you want to build your own home?

Try to establish the sort of house that you want and why. This may
revolve around family wellbeing or growth; a place to be together; a
type of lifestyle; a commitment to sustainability and low impact living.
How does it feel to be there; what is the mood and feeling? Would you
like your home to promote feelings of calm & retreat or motivation and
inspiration?

Define the intended activities and what the main functional

requirements of the building are. What are the overriding design
qualities and sensory qualities that you both like and dislike?

19 REECE CRESCENT, WANAKA 9305 E. admin@chaneynorman.nz

T. 03 443 8060 chaneynorman.nz
3. How do you live?

Ask some questions on how you and your family live now; What do you
like about where you live, and what don’t you like?

What really happens on a daily basis, not just at Christmas or when

family are visiting?

What rooms do you spend most of your time in and what is it

specifically that you like about these spaces?

What happens in the mornings, lunchtimes or at dinner time?

What is your favourite time of the day?

Are you working from home?

Which functions of your lifestyle do you feel are well catered for, and
which ones are not?

4. List the details

SPACES & ROOMS

Consider the entire range of activities you would like your new home
to host. Add key headings of what rooms are needed, to either sleep;
work and play and who needs these rooms.

What specific activities will happen in each space? For example the
kitchen may be a social hub, a place to eat or simply for cooking and
keeping the mess tucked away.

What furniture will you want to put into each of the spaces? Do
you have any artwork, or important furniture that will need specific
placement? Ideally what are the sizes of any furniture that needs
specific consideration?

Make a list of all the items you own that will require storage including
the amount of space and the best location for it?

Some items may be accessed regularly, some seasonally and some can
be tucked away in an attic type space.

What qualities does each of the rooms have? This may include access
to natural light at certain times of day, or feelings of spaciousness,
comfort and warmth; are they open or closed off, inward or outward
looking.

Include any outdoor living or functional spaces and how these may
interact with specific internal spaces.

19 REECE CRESCENT, WANAKA 9305 E. admin@chaneynorman.nz

T. 03 443 8060 chaneynorman.nz
AESTHETICS
You can collect images of things that you like, collect swatches and
colours and stick them in a folder or scrapbook. This information
gathering will enable us to find the common thread and tie it all
together as a cohesive whole.

For any images that you collect, ask what it is specifically that attracted
you to that image and note it down. It could be a material or shape or
something less tangible like the feeling and mood.

MATERIALS, FIXTURES AND FITTINGS

The images you provide can inform what materials that you prefer
both inside and out but can also determine other choices such as
construction methods or what heating and cooling is appropriate to
the project.

Similarly choices on items that are hidden can not only influence the
comfort, functionality and ethos of your home, but can also influence
selections of finishes and the aesthetics & feel of the home. Under-floor
heating is an example of this.

Your choice of window construction can impact the look of the home,
the opening sizes possible, and more significantly thermal efficiency
and the budget. Exceeding the minimum requirements for insulation
goes without question but we would need to understand the desired
levels of comfort and how this fits within the budget.

Issues of sustainability may be important such as renewable energy

sources, rainwater and grey water harvesting.

You will not need to choose items such as appliances but

understanding the specific need/desire for items such as double ovens,
french-door fridge freezers, chest freezers, fireplaces double wash
basins and so on may influence the space allowed to accommodate
these.

BUDGET
The build budget that you provide should exclude tax (GST); and fees
(council, architect; land & geotech surveyors; quantity surveyors and
engineers). It will also exclude any soft furnishings (window coverings &
furniture) and external landscaping elements such as boundary fencing
and planting that are not integral with the house.

Once a preliminary design has been prepared as a solution to the brief,

it is essential to have this costed by an independent Quantity Surveyor
to check that the proposal is in line with the budget. If not, the brief
and design proposal may need to be adjusted to suit.

19 REECE CRESCENT, WANAKA 9305 E. admin@chaneynorman.nz

T. 03 443 8060 chaneynorman.nz
5. Analyse the brief

Take a step back and think of the project as a whole. In addition to a

fairly detailed description of what each room should contain and how
it should feel, it is important to consider how the rooms relate to one
another and to the home as a whole.

Can you combine two or more of the rooms as a multifunctional space

that can serve different purposes at different times?

Are you prepared to use more expensive materials selectively and

sparingly or to compromise on external materials and use more
affordable cladding in a well-composed and well-detailed manner?

Confirm your ‘Why’ and choose your top priorities. Review and
prioritise what is non- negotiable; important or simply nice to have.
What can’t you live without?

There may be an overwhelming number of choices or competing ideals

so it is good to narrow the project down to several ‘headline’ ideals.
This doesn’t mean that you only achieve those few things, but those
core values or principles can refine the brief and shape decisions for
the remainder of the project.

Stick to your own specific details and those of your family; do not
worry about what everybody else is doing and about resale. Re-sale
can be considered in the design phase but don’t let it limit your wishes
at the outset.

Don’t focus too much on aesthetics. While this is important it is better

to think more about quality, comfort and functionality; looks can be
informed from this.

The brief also sets out your objectives and measureable targets around
energy, water consumption, comfort and health, lifecycle costs, for
example if you are targeting a Homestar rating. It can also note if there
are any specific timeframes or milestones for parts or the entire project.

The brief is a working document and will likely evolve with the project.
As information is gathered and knowledge is increased, this can be
added to the brief always checking against what was set out to achieve
in the initial brief.

6. The next step

Send your brief through to us and we will give you a quick call to
talk through your ideas. Once we have a clear understanding of your
project we can provide you with a proposal that will enable the design
& build of your new home.

19 REECE CRESCENT, WANAKA 9305 E. admin@chaneynorman.nz

T. 03 443 8060 chaneynorman.nz