7 tips for property developers when working with an interior architect

Interior architects working with property developers understand that they must deliver more than just beautiful, liveable apartments and penthouses. They must also consider how to elevate every aspect of the design to ensure it attracts the right buyers and contributes positively to the final sales result of the development. While the commercial outcome is not part of the scope of an interior architect's role, designing a development with the greatest commercial outcome in mind should be. Here are 7 tips for property developers to get the most out of working with an interior architect.

1. Involve your interior architect early

Involving your interior architect from the commencement of your property development project pays dividends. At D3 Design, we work with our clients from concept to completion. A site visit will enable us to assess the aspect, the environment, the location and work closely with the architect and construction team on spatial planning to ensure every element of our design aligns with the bigger picture. You would be amazed how many ideas are ignited during a site visit when others can only see a plot of dirt.

2. Trust is paramount

There is a reason why almost all of our work in the residential property development sector is referred or repeat. With over 25 year's experience in this space, our property development clients have faith in our ability to make decisions based on what is in the best interests for all stakeholders. We take great care to understand the target market for a development and the commercial goals of our client before proposing a design that achieves all those objectives.

3. Align every aspect of the design with the overall brand vision

Understanding the brand vision is just as important as understanding the target market and commercial goals for a project. Our designs will reflect that brand vision throughout, from the front of house to every apartment, while simultaneously incorporating the individual requirements of your off-the-plan buyers.

4. Consider the context

By context we are referring to the location, environment and, in the case of refurbishments, the period and architecture of your building. Location provides valuable clues about the type of buyer you will attract and their expectations. Interior design should always be sensitive to all contextual aspects; every apartment should continue the story of its surrounds.

5. Innovative space planning sells

We always carefully consider how the likely buyer of an apartment will interact with the space. Working with the proposed or existing footprint of the building, we analyse ways to maximise usable space and add commercial value (maximise the saleable square metres) for our client.

6. Turnkey designs encourage interest

Particularly in the high-end luxury apartment space, most buyers will balk at paying top dollar for an apartment or penthouse that they have to finish off themselves. This demands an intimate knowledge of what your buyers want and achieving a careful balance between timeless neutrals and strategically selected finishes, colour accents, artworks and fixtures that will deliver the wow factor and the overall brand vision.

7. First impressions speak volumes

The same attention to detail and care should be given to designing the front of house (entrance, lobby or concierge), the lifts and hallways to your complex as is given to each apartment. These are the areas buyers will see before stepping foot inside an apartment so you don't want them to let you down.