Choosing an Architect: Thinking long term

You've decided to pursue a regenerative building, but now you're scrolling through architectural websites at midnight, overwhelmed by portfolios that all look impressive but tell you nothing about whether these architects share your values. One firm showcases luxury homes with infinity pools overlooking the Mornington Peninsula. Another emphasises their awards, Victorian Architecture Medal here, sustainability commendation there. A third promises to "transform your vision into reality" without explaining what that actually means. How do you find an architect who genuinely understands regenerative design rather than one who's added "sustainable" to their website keywords? How can you verify their credentials when the building industry is rife with greenwashing? And perhaps most importantly, how do you know if they'll actually listen to you rather than impose their predetermined vision? The uncomfortable truth is that most Victorian architects, despite their technical competence, aren't equipped for regenerative projects. Of approximately 4,800 registered architects in Victoria, perhaps 5% have genuine experience with net-positive buildings. Fewer still understand the collaborative approaches regenerative design requires. This chapter will help you identify those rare practitioners who combine technical expertise with regenerative thinking and collaborative values.  ## **Starting with Registration Basics** Before exploring regenerative capabilities, you need to verify basic professional credentials. Any architect practising in Victoria must be registered with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV). This isn't optional, using the title "architect" without registration carries penalties up to $37,310 for individuals and $186,550 for companies. Checking registration takes two minutes on the ARBV website. Search their public register using the architect's name or registration number. You'll see their registration status, any conditions or undertakings, and critically, any disciplinary actions. If someone calling themselves an architect doesn't appear in this database, they're either not registered or practising illegally. Registration tells you an architect has met educational requirements, passed the Architectural Practice Examination (or demonstrated equivalent experience), maintains professional indemnity insurance of at least $1 million per claim, and completes 20 hours of continuing professional development annually. These are minimums, not excellence indicators, but they establish a professional baseline. Pay attention to registration history. An architect registered for 20 years brings different experience than someone registered for two, though longevity doesn't guarantee regenerative understanding. Some younger architects trained specifically in sustainable design may offer more current knowledge than established practitioners stuck in conventional approaches. Be wary of terms like "architectural designer," "building designer," or "design consultant." While these professionals may be competent, they lack the regulated training, insurance requirements, and professional obligations of registered architects. For complex regenerative projects requiring sophisticated systems integration, registered architects provide important protections.  ## **Assessing Regenerative Capability**  _Developing the ability to assess genuine regenerative understanding_ Most architectural websites mention sustainability, it's expected now, like saying they use computers. But there's an enormous gap between architects who include solar panels as an afterthought and those who understand buildings as living systems. Here's how to distinguish genuine capability from marketing rhetoric. Look for specific performance metrics in their project descriptions. Instead of "sustainable family home," you want to see "eight-star NatHERS rating achieving net-positive energy with 4.2kW surplus generation annually." Rather than "water-sensitive design," look for "100% water self-sufficiency through 30,000L rainwater harvesting and greywater treatment." Vague sustainability claims usually indicate vague sustainability knowledge. Check if they've completed certified projects. Living Building Challenge certification requires 12 months of demonstrated performance, buildings must actually achieve net-positive water and energy, not just model it. Passive House certification demands rigorous energy modelling and verification. Even Green Star ratings, while less stringent than regenerative standards, indicate familiarity with performance-based design. Examine their approach to materials. Regenerative architects discuss embodied carbon, not just operational energy. They should understand why cross-laminated timber sequesters carbon while concrete emits it, why hempcrete continues absorbing CO₂ for decades after construction, and how material choices affect indoor air quality. If their materials palette consists mainly of concrete, steel, and plasterboard with some bamboo flooring for "sustainability," they're not thinking regeneratively. Notice how they discuss sites. Conventional architects see sites as blank canvases for their designs. Regenerative architects talk about existing ecosystems, water flows, soil health, and microclimates as design drivers. They should be excited about that remnant Yellow Box tree or seasonal creek line, not frustrated by constraints they impose. Ask about their consultant teams. Regenerative projects require specialists beyond standard structural and services engineers. Do they work with building biologists, permaculture designers, or Indigenous knowledge holders? Can they recommend energy modellers who understand Passivhaus Planning Package or BERS Pro? A regenerative architect maintains relationships with consultants who share systems thinking approaches.  ## **The Indigenous Design Capability Gap** With many Victorian sites requiring Aboriginal cultural heritage consultation and the growing recognition of Indigenous knowledge in regenerative design, an architect's capability to engage respectfully with Traditional Owners becomes crucial. Yet most Victorian architects have minimal training in this area. Ask potential architects about their experience with Registered Aboriginal Parties consultation. Have they worked on sites requiring Cultural Heritage Management Plans? More importantly, do they see this as compliance burden or design opportunity? Architects who understand Country-centred design will speak about Indigenous consultation as valuable input, not regulatory hurdle. Look for evidence of genuine engagement. Have they completed cultural competency training? The Australian Institute of Architects offers First Nations courses providing formal CPD points, architects serious about Indigenous engagement will have invested in this education. Do they have relationships with Indigenous consultants or knowledge holders, or would they be starting from scratch on your project? Some architects, like Jefa Greenaway (Victoria's first registered Indigenous architect) or firms collaborating with Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria, bring deep cultural understanding to projects. While you don't necessarily need an Indigenous architect, you do need one who respects Indigenous knowledge and knows how to facilitate appropriate consultation. Be particularly wary of architects who dismiss Indigenous consultation as "political correctness" or see it as purely regulatory compliance. This attitude not only disrespects the world's oldest continuous culture but misses profound design insights about seasonal patterns, water management, and ecological relationships developed over 65,000 years.  ## **Understanding Practice Types and What They Mean for You** Architectural practices range from solo operators to 100+ person firms, and size significantly affects how your project will be managed. Understanding these differences helps you choose appropriately. Solo practitioners and small studios (one to five people) offer intimate client relationships and principal involvement throughout your project. You'll work directly with the person whose name is on the door, ensuring continuity of vision. These architects often demonstrate more flexibility and willingness to explore unconventional approaches since they don't have large overhead costs demanding conventional projects. However, small practices face capacity constraints. If your architect gets sick or takes holiday, your project may pause. They might struggle to resource complex projects requiring multiple staff. Their consultant networks may be limited. Some carry minimum professional indemnity insurance only, which could prove inadequate for larger projects. Medium practices (six to 20 people) balance personal service with organisational capacity. You'll likely work with a project architect supervised by a director, combining senior oversight with dedicated project management. These firms typically have established consultant relationships and systematic quality procedures. They can resource projects consistently while maintaining reasonable principal involvement. The trade-off comes in flexibility. Medium practices often have established ways of working that may resist regenerative approaches. Their higher overheads might push them toward conventional projects for cash flow. You may find yourself dealing with junior staff who lack authority to make decisions, requiring constant escalation. Large practices (20+ people) bring extensive resources, sophisticated systems, and specialist expertise. They can assign multiple staff to your project, ensuring continuity despite individual absences. Their established consultant networks and technical resources enable complex projects. Many have dedicated sustainability teams with sophisticated modelling capabilities. Yet large practices often feel impersonal. You might never meet the director whose reputation attracted you. Your project could be handed between teams as staff change. The firm's culture might prioritise prestigious projects, leaving smaller regenerative projects with less experienced staff. Their higher overheads (and higher fees) might not provide corresponding value for residential-scale projects. The sweet spot for regenerative residential projects often sits with small to medium practices where principals remain actively involved, overhead structures allow exploration, and organisational culture supports innovation. But exceptional practitioners exist at every scale, what matters is finding alignment between practice capabilities and project needs. ## **Reading Between the Portfolio Lines**  _Understanding the hidden truths in architectural portfolios_ Architectural portfolios are carefully curated marketing tools showing projects in perfect light with professional photography. Learning to read beyond surface aesthetics reveals crucial information about an architect's actual capabilities and values. Notice what's photographed. If every shot shows empty spaces without people, furniture, or signs of life, the architect may prioritise formal aesthetics over human habitation. Regenerative buildings should look better with life in them, not worse. Look for images showing people using spaces, clothes drying on lines, vegetables growing in gardens, evidence the building supports actual living. Pay attention to landscape integration. Does the building sit on the land like an alien spacecraft, surrounded by lawn and concrete? Or does it nestle into existing topography with native plantings and productive gardens? Regenerative buildings should blur boundaries between inside and outside, built and natural. Check construction photos, not just finished projects. How did the site look during building? Was vegetation protected or cleared? Did they use local materials or ship everything from elsewhere? Construction process reveals values as much as final outcomes. An architect who shows construction photos demonstrates transparency about process, not just product. Look for post-occupancy documentation. Most portfolios show buildings immediately after completion when everything's pristine. But how do these buildings perform after two years? Five years? Architects committed to outcomes document ongoing performance and share lessons from failures. If every project is presented as perfect, they're either not learning or not honest. Examine project descriptions carefully. Do they discuss client needs and how design responded, or just architectural concepts? Regenerative design emerges from specific places and people, not abstract theories. Descriptions should explain why decisions were made, not just what was built. Notice what's missing. If there's no discussion of energy performance, water management, or material selection, these probably weren't priorities. If Indigenous consultation isn't mentioned on projects requiring it, engagement was likely minimal. Absence often speaks louder than presence.  ## **The Chemistry Meeting Reality Check** You've identified potential architects with appropriate registration, apparent regenerative capabilities, and suitable practice structures. Now comes the chemistry meeting, that initial conversation where you assess whether you can work together for the next 18-24 months. Most architects offer free initial consultations, typically 30-60 minutes. They're assessing you as much as you're assessing them, regenerative projects require committed clients, and experienced architects know that misaligned values lead to project failures. Come prepared with basic information: site address and title details, rough budget range (be honest, architects need this to provide realistic advice), timeline expectations, and most importantly, why you want a regenerative building. This isn't about having all answers but demonstrating you've thought seriously about your project. Watch how they respond to your regenerative goals. Do they immediately start educating you about what's "realistic" and why your expectations need adjustment? Or do they engage enthusiastically with your vision while honestly discussing challenges? Regenerative architects see constraints as design catalysts, not vision-killers. Notice whether they listen more than talk. Some architects use initial meetings to deliver practiced monologues about their philosophy and process. While you need this information, they should be equally interested in understanding your lifestyle, values, and concerns. If they're already sketching solutions without understanding your needs, imagine how that behaviour will amplify during design. Pay attention to how they explain technical concepts. Can they discuss thermal mass without assuming you have a physics degree? Do they use analogies and examples that make sense? Regenerative design involves complex systems thinking, you need an architect who can translate this complexity into understandable decisions. Ask about their mistakes. Every experienced architect has projects they'd approach differently with hindsight. Those willing to discuss failures demonstrate learning capability and honesty. If they claim every project has been perfect, they're either inexperienced or dishonest, neither quality you want in your architect. Trust your instincts about personal connection. You'll be sharing financial information, lifestyle details, and dreams with this person. You'll navigate stressful decisions together when budgets stretch or builders fail. If something feels off in the first meeting, it won't improve under project pressure. ## **Understanding Fee Structures and Value** Architectural fees remain one of the most anxious conversation topics, with many clients unclear what they're paying for and architects reluctant to discuss money directly. Understanding fee structures helps you assess value and avoid surprises. Victorian residential architects typically charge 10-15% of construction cost for full services from concept through construction. For a $500,000 construction budget, expect $50,000-$75,000 in architectural fees. This might seem substantial until you consider it covers 12-18 months of professional service including concept design, developed design, documentation, tendering, and construction administration. Regenerative projects often require additional services: energy modelling, water system design, material life-cycle assessment, and extended consultant coordination. These might add 2-3% to base fees. However, regenerative architects often offset these costs through design efficiency, their systems thinking can reduce construction costs through elegant solutions rather than complex mechanical systems. Some architects charge hourly rates ($150-$350 per hour depending on seniority) for initial stages, converting to percentage fees once scope clarifies. Others offer fixed fees for defined deliverables. Each structure has advantages, but clarity matters more than structure type. Be wary of unusually low fees. An architect quoting 6-8% for full services either plans to deliver minimal documentation (increasing construction risk) or hasn't adequately assessed project complexity. Cheap architectural services often lead to expensive construction problems, poor documentation causes variations, delays, and disputes that dwarf any fee savings. Understand what's included and excluded. Basic services typically cover design, documentation, and contract administration. Additional services might include site analysis, authority negotiations, interior design, landscape design, and extended site inspections. Regenerative projects often benefit from these additional services, but understand their cost implications upfront. Ask about fee staging. Most architects require deposits and progressive payments tied to project milestones. This protects both parties, but understand the payment schedule and what happens if you pause or terminate the project. The 2018 ABIC client-architect agreement provides standard terms, but these are negotiable.  ## **Red Flags That Should Send You Running** Some warning signs indicate an architect unsuitable for regenerative projects, or any project. Learning to recognise these saves time, money, and heartache. Reluctance to provide registration details or proof of insurance suggests either non-compliance or something to hide. Every legitimate architect should readily provide their ARBV registration number and insurance certificate. If they claim insurance details are "confidential" or registration is "pending," look elsewhere. Dismissiveness toward your regenerative goals indicates fundamental misalignment. Phrases like "let's focus on getting the design right first" or "we can add sustainability features later" reveal conventional thinking where sustainability is appliqué rather than integral. Regenerative design isn't an add-on, it shapes every decision from site planning forward. Inability to provide recent references raises concerns. While client confidentiality matters, architects should have some clients willing to discuss their experience. If they can only provide references from five years ago or from projects entirely different from yours, question why recent clients won't vouch for them. Excessive focus on their vision versus your needs suggests an architect more interested in portfolio pieces than client satisfaction. Watch for phrases like "trust my expertise" or "clients don't understand design." While architectural expertise matters, dismissing client input indicates problematic working relationships ahead. Vague or changing fee proposals signal either inexperience or intentional obscurity. Professional architects should provide clear fee proposals outlining services, exclusions, and payment schedules. If fees seem to shift between conversations or they resist putting proposals in writing, expect similar ambiguity throughout the project. High staff turnover indicates organisational problems. If the architect mentions multiple recent departures or you notice different staff at each meeting, investigate why. Check LinkedIn for patterns of short tenures. Unhappy staff deliver poor service, and constant changeover disrupts project continuity. ## **The Interview Questions That Matter** Beyond general conversation, specific questions reveal whether an architect aligns with regenerative values and collaborative approaches. "Can you walk me through a project where the client's input fundamentally changed your design approach?" This reveals whether they genuinely collaborate or merely consult. Listen for specific examples of client knowledge shaping design, not token adjustments to predetermined schemes. "How do you handle situations where best practice regenerative design conflicts with client preferences or budget?" Every project faces these tensions. Their answer reveals how they navigate competing priorities and whether they can find creative solutions rather than defaulting to conventional approaches. "What's your approach to Indigenous consultation, and how has Traditional Owner input influenced your past projects?" This question matters even if your site doesn't trigger formal requirements. Architects who understand Country-centred design bring different perspectives to all projects. "How do you verify the actual performance of your completed buildings?" Most architects never check whether buildings perform as designed. Those committed to regenerative outcomes document actual energy use, water consumption, and occupant satisfaction, learning from gaps between prediction and reality. "What happens if the builder suggests changes to improve buildability that might compromise regenerative goals?" This scenario occurs on every project. Their response reveals whether they'll defend design intent or capitulate to construction convenience. "How do you help clients understand life-cycle costs versus capital costs?" Regenerative buildings cost more upfront but less over time. Architects should explain this clearly with specific examples, not vague promises of future savings. "What's your experience with the current builder insolvency crisis, and how do you help clients navigate builder selection?" With 3,217 construction companies collapsing in 2024, this isn't theoretical. Experienced architects have strategies for vetting builders and protecting clients. ## **Making Your Decision** After meeting potential architects, you need a framework for comparison beyond gut feeling. Create a simple matrix scoring each architect across key criteria: regenerative design experience, collaborative approach, communication clarity, Indigenous consultation capability, fee transparency, and personal chemistry. Weight these criteria according to your priorities. If you're building on culturally sensitive land, Indigenous consultation capability might outweigh other factors. If you're stretching financially, fee transparency and life-cycle cost understanding become crucial. There's no universal ranking, only what matters for your specific project. Check references thoroughly. Ask previous clients about communication frequency, budget management, response to changes, and whether they'd work with the architect again. Ask specifically about challenges, how did the architect handle delays, budget overruns, or builder problems? Perfect projects don't exist, but professional responses to problems do. Review their proposed agreements carefully. The Australian Institute of Architects' 2018 ABIC client-architect agreement provides standard terms, but these are negotiable. Understand termination provisions, intellectual property rights, and dispute resolution processes. If the architect resists using standard agreements or proposes unusual terms, understand why. Trust your instincts about personal fit while maintaining professional standards. You need an architect you can work with through stressful periods, but also one with genuine regenerative capabilities. Don't let personal chemistry override professional competence or vice versa. Consider starting with a smaller engagement, perhaps a feasibility study or concept design, before committing to full services. This lets you experience their working style with limited risk. Many architects offer staged engagements, though this may cost slightly more overall than committing to full services upfront.  ## **Beyond the Individual: Building Your Full Team** Your architect forms the core of your design team but not its entirety. Regenerative projects require specialists whose expertise complements architectural design. Understanding these roles helps you assess whether your architect can coordinate the necessary expertise. Energy consultants model thermal performance using tools like FirstRate5 or BERS Pro, required for seven-star compliance. But regenerative projects need consultants who go beyond compliance, using Passivhaus Planning Package or IES Virtual Environment to optimise building physics. Your architect should recommend consultants who understand regenerative goals, not just tick regulatory boxes. Landscape designers contribute more than plant selection. On regenerative projects, they design water harvesting systems, productive gardens, habitat corridors, and microclimates. The boundary between architecture and landscape blurs, your architect needs to collaborate with landscape designers who share systems thinking approaches. Building biologists assess electromagnetic fields, air quality, and material toxicity often overlooked in conventional construction. While not mandatory, their input helps create genuinely healthy buildings. Architects dismissive of building biology probably don't understand how material choices affect occupant health. Indigenous consultants facilitate Traditional Owner engagement beyond regulatory compliance. They bridge between Indigenous knowledge systems and Western design processes, translating concepts that might otherwise be lost. Your architect should see Indigenous consultants as knowledge partners, not compliance facilitators. Permaculture designers bring whole-systems thinking to site planning, integrating buildings with productive landscapes and natural cycles. Their input during concept design can fundamentally reshape projects. Architects who've worked with permaculture designers understand buildings as elements within larger systems. ## **The Path to Partnership** Choosing an architect for a regenerative project differs fundamentally from selecting one for conventional building. You're not hiring someone to translate your brief into built form, you're selecting a partner for co-creating something that gives back more than it takes. This partnership requires an architect who combines professional competence with regenerative knowledge and collaborative values. They need ARBV registration and insurance, but also understanding of living systems and respect for multiple knowledge types. They must navigate Victorian regulations while pushing beyond compliance toward regeneration. The search might feel daunting. With only 5% of Victorian architects genuinely understanding regenerative design, finding the right partner takes time. But these architects exist, often in small to medium practices where principals remain actively involved and organisational cultures support innovation. Start your search early, good architects have waiting lists, and regenerative architects particularly so. Use the questions and frameworks in this chapter to assess capabilities beyond marketing claims. Check registration and references thoroughly. Trust your instincts about personal chemistry while maintaining professional standards. Remember that choosing an architect isn't just about your project, it's about the future you're helping create. Every regenerative building completed makes the next one easier, demonstrating what's possible and building industry capability. Your choice of architect affects not just your outcome but the trajectory of Victorian architecture toward regeneration. The right architect won't just design your building, they'll facilitate a process of discovery that reveals possibilities you hadn't imagined. They'll translate your values into built form while respecting the land's existing systems. They'll navigate regulatory complexity while maintaining regenerative goals. Most importantly, they'll share your commitment to creating something that heals rather than harms. Your regenerative building journey depends on finding this architectural partner. Take time to search properly, assess thoroughly, and choose wisely. The relationship you establish now will shape not just your building but your experience of creating it. When you find an architect who shares your regenerative vision and collaborative values, you'll know, not through their portfolio or promises, but through their genuine engagement with your project's potential to give back more than it takes. ## **Choosing Your Design Partner** Finding an architect for your regenerative project is like online dating, everyone's profile claims they're "sustainable" and "collaborative," but most are just using keywords they think you want to hear. Start with the non-negotiables. They must be ARBV registered, check the online register, takes two minutes. Without registration, they're not legally architects, can't get proper insurance, and you have zero professional recourse when things go wrong. Those penalties ($37,310 for individuals falsely claiming to be architects) exist because unregistered practitioners genuinely harm clients. But registration just gets them in the door. For regenerative projects, you need someone who talks specifics. "Eight-star NatHERS rating achieving net-positive energy with 4.2kW surplus generation annually" tells you something. "Sustainable design" tells you nothing. If they can't show you actual performance data from completed buildings, energy bills, water consumption, occupant feedback, they're theorists, not practitioners. The Indigenous engagement question separates serious regenerative architects from pretenders. If they see Traditional Owner consultation as compliance burden rather than design opportunity, walk away. Jefa Greenaway's work shows what's possible when Indigenous knowledge genuinely shapes design. Your architect doesn't need to be Indigenous, but they need deep respect for 65,000 years of accumulated wisdom about Country. Size matters differently than you'd think. Solo practitioners give you their complete attention but might lack capacity for complex projects. Large firms have resources but you'll likely work with junior staff while paying for the principal's reputation. The sweet spot for residential regenerative projects sits with practices of 6-20 people, enough capacity to deliver, small enough that principals stay involved. Ask the uncomfortable questions. "Tell me about a project failure." Anyone claiming perfect success is lying or learning nothing. "How do you handle regenerative goals conflicting with budget?" Their answer reveals whether they'll abandon sustainability at the first pressure or find creative solutions. "Walk me through how community input fundamentally changed a design." This shows whether they genuinely collaborate or just pretend to listen. Fees below 8% of construction cost mean corners will be cut, usually documentation quality, leading to expensive construction disputes. Standard fees run 10-15%, with regenerative projects adding 2-3% for extra modelling and coordination. That additional investment returns through better building performance and fewer construction problems. Trust your instincts about personal chemistry while maintaining professional standards. You'll spend 18-24 months working intensively with this person. If something feels off in the first meeting, it'll become unbearable under project pressure. ## Chapter Resources [**Australian Institute of Architects - Find an Architect →**](https://www.architecture.com.au/find-an-architect) _Official directory to search for registered architects by location, specialization, and project type. Verify registration status and explore portfolios of Australian Institute of Architects members to find the right architect for your project._