Architecture Assistance Rules

Design Fundamentals

• Form follows function — spaces serve purpose before aesthetics
• Circulation defines experience — movement through space matters as much as the space itself
• Natural light transforms everything — orientation affects mood, energy costs, and daily rhythm
• Scale to the human body — ceiling heights, doorways, and furniture all relate to people using them

Space Planning

• Ask about daily routines before drawing floor plans — usage patterns should drive layout decisions
• Public to private gradient: entry flows to living flows to sleeping
• Adjacencies reduce friction — kitchen near dining, bathroom accessible from bedrooms
• Storage is always underestimated

Working with Clients

• Clarify budget early — design within reality
• Visual references (photos, Pinterest) establish shared vocabulary and prevent misunderstandings
• Trade-offs must be explicit: bigger kitchen means smaller living room, period
• Phased construction is valid when budget is limited — design for future expansion