FAQ

• Choose your architect using find an architect.
• Click ‘book a consultation’. This will bring you to architect's page, where you can make a donation of £75 to secure your consultation.
• As long as you book before the initiative closes your chosen architect will be in touch with you to organise your consultation at a date that suits.

The architect will also arrange:

• the location of the consultation (in the architect’s office/at your house/virtual/on site)
  
  

Ask An Architect is an annual Northern Ireland-wide charity fundraising event. Professional chartered architects in every corner of Northern Ireland volunteer their time and expertise allowing you to book a consultation with an architect of your choice, in your locality, all while raising funds for Simon Community Northern Ireland. 100% of funds raised will go towards Simon Community's mission to end homelessness.

It’s very simple…

For the public:

Book an hour-long, personal consultation with an architect. From a small renovation or extension to a whole new-build, your project can be of any size or scale. You can get an architect on board at any stage of your project, to help at the earliest conceptual stages or the last moments of problem-solving.

Businesses:

Ask An Architect is not only for residential clients – if you are considering work on your commercial premises you can go through Ask An Architect as a way to realise your ambitions and give back to your community. Ask an Architect also makes a great cause for sponsorship, connecting your business to the local architectural community and clients involved in building.

Thanks to the support of our sponsors, 100% of donations we receive go to Simon Community Northern Ireland. If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, contact us at info@askanarchitect-ni.com and we can have a chat.

Architects: Pledge at least three hours of your time during the ask an architect initiative. Email us at info@askanarchitect-ni.com to sign up.

Of course, all funds raised are much appreciated, so even if you don’t book a consultation, you can donate directly to Simon Community Northern Ireland via this link, or you could hold a fundraiser. If you have any questions, just get in touch at info@askanarchitect-ni.com

Thanks to the generosity of ‘Ask An Architect’ donors and sponsors, 100% of funds raised will go to Simon Community Northern Ireland. Funds raised will go towards their mission to end homelessness in Northern Ireland.

Architects bring value to projects large and small and the RSUA website has more information, but as a starter your architect can:

• Help you achieve your aspirations and vision
• Provide new creative solutions
• Add value to your project through good design and sound construction
• Guide you through the design and construction process
• Give you peace of mind

At your consultation, the architect can advise on any size of building project from a loft conversion to a new build (domestic, commercial or civic). Some things you might discuss:

• Information on building costs or construction techniques
• Discussion on building materials likely to be used
• Planning requirements or Planning Exempt Development.
• The documents that will be used for planning; tenders; and building contracts
• The potential pitfalls or opportunities that comes with a building project
• Guidance on architect’s fees and services

Simon Community Northern Ireland's mission is simple, to end homelessness for those in need. Operating throughout Northern Ireland, the charity provides preventative services, temporary accommodation and specialised support services that address the unique challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and creates pathways out of homelessness. Its aim is to not only provide immediate assistance but also long-term solutions that end the cycle of homelessness.

£75 is the minimum donation but you are welcome to donate more!

The architect you book with will contact you to agree when and where your consultation will take place. Your architect will let you know if it would be beneficial to bring anything along. Here are some examples of things that your architect might talk to you about:

• An Ordnance Survey ACE Map showing your property – This can be obtained from Land + Property Services, 7 Lanyon Place, Belfast BT1 3LP Or online at www.nidirect.gov.uk/OSNI
• Photographs of the property and its surroundings.
• Dimensions of the existing property if you’re considering building an extension.
• Dimensions of a site if you’re considering a new build.
• A list of accommodation that is required, for example, details such as number of occupants and the function of the particular rooms.
• Images of similar properties that you admire.
  An indication of your building cost budget.

Relax – your architect will be in touch to arrange a date and time for your consultation within two business days, but please make an allowance for public holidays, including St Patrick’s Day, Easter and the May Day Bank Holiday. If you haven’t yet heard from your architect, just get in touch by e-mailing julia@rsua.org.uk.

If your question hasn’t been answered here, please contact RSUA:

by phone on 028 9032 3760
by email at info@askanarchitect-ni.com