Property

‘Ask An Architect’ returns for 2024

In exchange for a minimum donation of £50 supporting local cancer research and clinical trials, members of the public can enjoy an hour-long consultation about their project with a chartered architect. Ask an Architect can also benefit community and voluntary groups by helping improve their facilities

Modern family home
Get your project off the ground House in the Woods by Studio Idir Architects (Donal McCann Photography)

The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) and the Jill Todd Trust are delighted to announce that the ever popular ‘Ask An Architect’ initiative will relaunch after the Easter holidays on Monday April 8.

The concept behind this scheme is straightforward; in exchange for a minimum donation of £50, members of the public can enjoy an hour-long consultation with a chartered architect. This consultation is free of any obligations or restrictions, and you can discuss any aspect of your building project, regardless of whether it’s real or imagined, large or small, and at any stage from conception to completion.

Now entering its ninth year the initiative has already raised over £90,000, with last year seeing £16,000 added to the total. The costs of running the initiative are covered by sponsors, NIE Networks and Progressive Building Society, which means 100% of your donation goes to support local cancer research and clinical trials through the work of the Friends of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital.

To donate and book your architect online, simply visit www.askanarchitect-ni.com starting from April 8 2024.

Who is participating?

Architect practices from every corner of Northern Ireland participating in this year’s initiative, all supporting Friends of the Cancer Centre by offering their time to the public.

Their expertise spans all types of domestic work, business premises, community projects, conservation architecture, interior design, extensions or one-off houses.  The participant list will include established award-winners, sustainable design champions, restoration experts, and fresh innovative design teams, all with their own approach and philosophy.

Who is it for?

If you’re in the process of thinking about a building project, regardless of its scale, ask an architect can offer you invaluable support and guidance. Whether you’re looking to revamp your existing space, add an extension or home office, or even design a new home from scratch, you can connect with a chartered architect who can help you bring your ideas to life.

When you book your appointment via the ask an architect initiative, your chosen architect will contact you in advance to help you make the most of your consultation. This way, you can ensure that you cover all the relevant topics and get the most useful advice from the expert.

Moreover, Ask An Architect is not limited to home appointments; it can benefit community and voluntary groups as well. For instance, groups looking to upgrade their facilities, or develop a new community facility can use ask an architect to scope out potential improvements and design solutions that meet their unique requirements.

In addition, sports clubs can benefit from this initiative by using it to explore ways of improving their clubhouses and changing rooms to meet the needs of their members.

Similarly, church groups can use ask an architect to obtain multiple opinions and explore ideas for redeveloping their church hall, ultimately creating a space that better serves their community’s needs.

Repurposing an old bank into a modern home
Transform Converted Ulster Bank Donaghadee by C60 Architects

How can I get involved?

Ask An Architect has helped hundreds of individuals and organisations throughout Northern Ireland with their projects.

Perhaps in 2024, you too could benefit from the creativity and inspiration that this initiative provides, and it may just be the catalyst for something truly remarkable.

Ask an architect will relaunch on Monday April 8 2024.

Book your appointment after this date at askanarchitect-ni.com