What are the 6 Design Gaps? (And when to get help.)

Ever had that sinking feeling or loss of momentum mid-project? There's a name for it.

Chances are you’ve hit a Design Gap. It's the moment when the guidance you need seems to disappear, decisions pile up, and you're left wondering if you're making the right call. Almost everyone hits one. Most people hit several. Here are the six Gaps which Architect GPs see most often.

1. The Purchasing Gap

You've found a house that meets most of your criteria. But can it actually work for your family or situation? Could it be renovated the way you want? Are there council regulations that might stand in the way? Are there just things you haven’t considered? Buying without those answers means making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life on gut feel alone.

2. The Designing Gap

Your draftsperson drew exactly what you asked for. But you expected more design input from them and now they're still asking you to make the design decisions and material selections. Isn't that their job? Not really, and it's a more common gap than most people realise. Drawing a home and designing one are different skills.

3. The Renovating Gap

You know it's time to do something with the house. But knock down? Extend? Renovate in stages? Every option has a trade-off, and everyone you ask seems to have a different opinion. Somewhere in there is the right answer for your home, it just isn't obvious yet.

4. The Sustainability Gap

You want a home that's efficient, comfortable, and kinder to the planet. But what is the best things to do and what will give you most bang for your buck? Insulation, glazing, draft sealing, solar, batteries, heat pumps, passive design…it’s a lot of inter-related factors to consider. Your intention is there, but the clarity on where to actually spend your money isn't.

5. The Refining Gap

The plans are almost there. You can feel it. But your designer wants sign-off, and you want to keep working on it. You're holding something that's ninety percent right, with no one left to help you find the last ten.

6. The Sanity Check Gap

Everything looks right. Your designer's happy, the builder's ready. But something's still nagging at you. Storage? Flow? That one room that's never quite made sense? That quiet voice isn't anxiety. It's usually worth listening to.

You Don't Have to Cross These Gaps Alone

None of these moments mean your project has gone wrong. They mean you've reached a point where a second, independent and expert set of eyes would help. It’s just as true whether you're a week away from buying, right in the middle of the design process, or days from signing off on final plans.

That's what Architect GP is here for. Not to take over your project, but to meet you at whatever gap you're in and help you cross it with support and confidence. That’s how we’ve designed our services.

If you’re not sure which gap you’re in Take our quiz to find your service match, or explore our full range of services.

With gratitude,

Sarah Hobday-North, Founder and Architect