The Art of the Perfect Brief: The Foundation to Designing for Happiness

Episode 21 - "The Art of the Perfect Brief: The Foundation to Designing for Happiness " with Duncan McLeod from Studio McLeod Architecture.

Duncan and his practice; Studio McLeod, are recognised as one of the UK’s leading architects for innovative residential architecture. They are a RIBA award winning practice, one of 6 practices shortlisted for Architect of the Year in 2017 and they have an incredible 100% record for getting their clients planning approval.

Insightful extract from the Studio McLeod website: Our approach of really listening to our clients and working out what would make the biggest difference to their lives has been referred to as ‘Architectural Therapy’. Our clients have described the process as efficient and inspiring and the end results as calming, captivating and fulfilling.

Today's episode is an absolute masterclass; not just in learning how to create and deliver the perfect brief for any client, but the power of asking consistently better questions. Duncan has developed an unbelievable skill for asking better questions from his clients to help them drive the brief and the design solutions themselves, resulting in consistently incredible outcomes. The true power of this approach can only be summed up by listening to Duncan explain the emotional (and regularly tearful) interactions with his clients. This genuine bond and emotional connection is no fluke, it has been carefully orchestrated over years of refining how to ask better questions of your clients to deliver them exactly what the need.

For anyone looking to understand how to truly wow your client and create a genuine emotional connection between human and built environment, this podcast episode is for you.

The Studio McLeod approach is so well written I couldn't shorten it, so please enjoy the full copy:

Our approach

Our approach has been described as ‘Architectural Therapy’.

I think it’s because we like people, and they see the genuine enjoyment we get from helping them.

We really listen to our clients, aim to understand what would really make a difference for them and thrive on solving the ensuing puzzle.

We need to be good listeners, ask the right questions and discover what would significantly improve our clients' lives before we respond with design solutions. Our client discussions aim to remove boundaries that might be limiting their ideas. We encourage clients to be brave and ask for the impossible. Once the client is truly excited about what they are asking for we can start to solve the puzzle.

Then it’s our job to see possibilities rather than obstacles. When looking for design solutions we aim to identify, challenge and push past obvious ideas which might be limiting. We enjoy the excitement that great ideas generate as much the design process. The reaction from clients when you create or transform something they hadn’t thought possible is pretty special.

Building or renovating a home isn’t something you’re going to do very many times in your life. So it’s important that our clients get what they want.

In essence, we’re good listeners, who like solving puzzles, and believe there is always a way!

- Duncan McLeod

With your hosts, Adam Hinds and Jordan Relfe from the Award Winning LifeProven Wellbeing Property Consultancy delivering Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Wellbeing Consultancy services across the UK and beyond.