25 Questions: The Art of a Good Architectural Brief | Nellis Architecture

Some of the best homes begin with a conversation long before a drawing is made. A design brief is more than a checklist. It is how an architect begins to understand the rhythm of a family, the priorities of a lifestyle, and the way a home should make its occupants feel. The questions asked at the start shape the clarity that follows. At Nellis Architecture, the qualification process is deliberately gentle. It is structured enough to bring definition, yet open enough for clients to express what matters most. The 25 questions we use are not bureaucratic steps. They are invitations, helping both client and architect find the project’s true direction.

“Most clients do not start with a perfect brief. They start with a sense of what a home could be,” says Lee Nellis, Principal Architect. “Our job is to ask the right questions so the vision becomes clear, grounded, and buildable.”

These 25 questions form the foundation of that clarity.

Why Questions Matter More Than Assumptions

Before exploring budgets, materials, or design language, the purpose of the home must be understood. Whether it is a new build, a major renovation, or a complete reimagining of an existing plot, the role of the architect is to reveal intent.

A well-structured set of questions avoids misunderstandings later. It defines expectations, surfaces constraints early, and ensures every choice is purposeful. This begins with technical clarity.

Starting With the Essentials

The first part of the qualification process focuses on facts. Built-up area (BUA), Gross Floor Area (GFA), and overall scope determine whether the project requires architecture, interior design, landscape design or all three.

Questions that ground the project include:

• What is the Built-Up Area (BUA) in square metres

• What is the Gross Floor Area (GFA) in square metres

• Is this a renovation or a new build

• What is the timeline for the project

• What is the full scope of work needed

• Are there regulations or developer requirements we should be aware of

• Are there other consultants or stakeholders already involved

“Clear parameters do not restrict creativity. They give it focus,” says Sasha Kiseleva, Executive Director. “When a client knows their scope, we can help them define the right direction without wasting time or resources.”

Understanding Vision, Lifestyle, and Priorities

Once the essentials are known, the next set of questions explores how a client lives, what inspires them, and what they value.

This part of the conversation includes:

• Can you tell us what you are envisioning

• What are the top priorities for this project

• Is there a style, concept, or aesthetic that inspires you

• Which architectural styles do you naturally gravitate towards

• How would you like the interiors to feel

• Are there materials you prefer or want to avoid

• Are there sustainability goals or environmental considerations that matter to you

Clients often find themselves discovering their own preferences while answering. The process builds confidence and gives the design team the context needed for a tailored response.

##

Mapping the Home Around Real Life

Bedrooms, bathrooms, wellness areas, family zones, guest suites and flexible spaces all influence layout and architectural form. These questions help shape the spatial brief.

Lifestyle-focused questions include:

• How many bedrooms would you like

• How many bathrooms

• Are there special rooms you would like included

• Would you like to incorporate wellness spaces

• What practical needs should the design support day-to-day

“Our work is to listen carefully, then translate these needs into spaces that feel effortless,” says Matas Belevicius, Associate Architect. “When we understand how people move, gather, and rest, the design becomes truly responsive.”

Budget, Procurement, and Decision-Making

A project’s success depends as much on process as it does on design.

The final part of the qualifying conversation ensures the architect understands how the project will be delivered:

• What is your budget

• What procurement strategy would you prefer

• Who will make the final decisions

• Is the project a family home or commercial property

• Are there other stakeholders or consultants already involved

• How hands-on would you like to be

These questions ensure that both the design and the delivery strategy are aligned from the beginning.

A Nellis Case Study: Miraia, 2025 International Property Awards

The award-winning Miraia residence demonstrates how the answers to these 25 questions shape a coherent, elegant and deeply personal home. Located on a coastal site and designed around layered terraces, privacy, long water views, and precise interior detailing, Miraia was born from a clear brief: a home that feels sculpted rather than constructed.

Its success at the International Property Awards 2025 is a reminder that the strongest projects begin with clarity, conversation, and shared intention.

The Takeaway

Great architecture is built on clarity. These 25 questions help shape a project that is realistic, meaningful, and aligned with a client’s priorities. They set the stage for a transparent relationship, where expectations are understood by both sides from the beginning.

The aim is not to interrogate clients, but to partner with them. When people feel listened to, when their needs are understood rather than assumed, the design that follows is naturally more refined, more personal, and more enduring.