Answers to questions clients frequently ask LIJO.RENY. architects. (Kindly make sure that you read through the entire content before meeting us.)
What does LIJO.RENY.architects do?
We are architects who primarily offer services in architecture, interior design, and landscape design. Additionally, we engage in art, furniture design, product design, accessories, graphics, and more.
Where is your design studio located?
Our design studio is located at Punkunnam, Thrissur, Kerala, India. You can find us on Google Maps by clicking here. We welcome you to visit us by appointment.
Coordinates: 10°32’07.8″N 76°12’20.3″E
Do you have branches elsewhere?
No, we operate exclusively from our studio in Thrissur, Kerala.
Are you registered Architects?
Yes, Reny Lijo and Lijo Jos are registered Architects, with the Council of Architecture (COA), allowing us to practice as Architects across India. We are also members of The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA).
How long have you been practicing?
Ar. Reny Lijo has been practicing since 2003, and Ar. Lijo Jos since 2001. Together, they founded LIJO.RENY.architects in 2005.
What style of architecture do you practice?
We are continually exploring and evolving our architectural language. Currently, our designs can be broadly categorised as Contemporary.
Do you practice Traditional Kerala Architecture?
No, we do not focus on traditional Kerala architecture. Traditional designs were deeply influenced by climate, land, and construction materials, which have evolved significantly over time. Instead, we are dedicated to contemporary design principles that address the modern context. Our approach emphasizes creating spaces that blend functionality with aesthetic depth, focusing on quality ventilation, human comfort, sustainability, adaptability, and the poetics of spaces and experiences. We strive to craft environments that are responsive to current conditions and enriching for those who inhabit them, with the hope that these spaces transcend time and remain relevant throughout the users’ lives.
Do we have to travel down to your design studio to meet you?
Ideally, yes. Visiting our studio allows you to see how we work and helps establish a better understanding of our approach. We recommend visiting us at least once before we begin working on your project.
Can we see any of your built works?
We can guide you to projects that are currently under construction. For completed projects, we prioritise our clients’ privacy and typically provide access to project documentation, such as photographs or videos available online, rather than direct site visits. Additionally, this website offers a selection of our diverse projects for your reference.
Do we need to make an appointment to meet you in your design studio?
Yes, an appointment is necessary. We reserve the morning half of our studio hours exclusively for design work and meet with clients in the afternoon to discuss project-related matters. To ensure you can meet with us without any waiting, please schedule an appointment in advance by email or phone, so we can accommodate you smoothly.
What time is the best to reach you over the phone?
You can reach us any day (except Sundays and holidays) between 10:30 am and 5:30 pm. If we are unable to answer your call, it may be because we are in a meeting. Please try calling again later or leave a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
When do we have the first meeting?
If you are comfortable with our ideas and working style, we can schedule an appointment for a meeting at our design studio as soon as possible. We typically hold client meetings in the afternoons, between 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm, as our mornings are reserved for design work. Please note that these times may change from time to time. Kindly schedule an appointment in advance to ensure that we are available when you visit.
What documents should we bring when we come to meet you?
For a productive first meeting, please bring the following:
a) A copy of the village sketch of the site
b) Detailed requirements for the project
c) Photographs or video clips of the site, if available
d) Any other documents or details that may help us understand your project better
These materials will assist us in gaining a comprehensive understanding of your project and its needs.
When do you visit the site?
After our initial discussion about the project at our design studio, we will coordinate with you to schedule a convenient date for visiting your site.
Do we have to pay you for the first site visit?
Yes, we charge a nominal fee, plus actual travel expenses, for the first site visit if the site is outside Thrissur city limits. This is because many inquiries may not progress to full-fledged projects for various reasons.
What services do you offer, and what are your fees?
We offer specialised services in architecture design, interior design, landscape design, and more. For detailed information on our services and fees, we provide a ‘service and fee structure’ to clients who are ready to take the next step. If you haven’t received it yet, please reach out to us.
When and how do we receive the ‘services and fee structure’?
We provide the ‘services and fee structure’ to clients who are ready to take the next step after a detailed discussion about the project, typically conducted over the phone. It is important for us to understand the project brief before issuing this information. Please call us using the contact numbers provided to initiate the discussion and receive the structure.
Do we have to pay an advance before starting the project?
Yes, an advance payment is required before starting the project. The amount varies depending on the project. Please refer to our ‘services and fee structure’ for details. If you do not have this information, contact us to obtain it.
If we are comfortable with each other’s ideas, what details are required before starting the design process?
a) Village Site Survey Sketch
b) Total Station (Digital) Survey in CAD DWG format (We will provide instructions on specific points to be considered during the site survey)
c) Site Details Form (We will provide a form to be completed and returned by the client)
d) Land Deed Document(s)
e) Basic Tax Register (BTR) from the village office related to the survey number(s) of your site
f) Latest Tax Receipt
g) Possession Certificate
h) Relevant Documents (Any additional documents that help us understand the context of the site)
i) Project Brief or Detailed Project Requirements (Additionally, we have a form requesting further details to be completed and returned by the client)
j) Existing Site Photographs (If available, to give us a visual understanding of the current conditions)
When would you start designing our project?
To ensure we maintain the highest level of quality, we take on a limited number of projects each year, which sometimes results in a waiting list. We would be delighted to add your project to our schedule. Please contact us to find out the current waiting period and we will provide you with the most accurate information.
How does the design process work?
If you are comfortable with our architectural and design ideas, we will begin by scheduling a meeting at our studio and a subsequent site visit. After the site visit, we provide a list of points to consider for the digital survey of the site to ensure accuracy. Once we receive the survey details, we will have a detailed discussion with you about your project requirements. This session involves a thorough review of your needs, from the entry gate to the backyard of your proposed project.
Next, we develop a core concept based on these requirements to guide the project. After preparing a basic layout, we invite you for a follow-up meeting to finalize the design. If our communication has been clear and effective during the initial sessions, clients often approve the proposed design at this stage. We then refine and strengthen the design based on your feedback and finalize the project.
Once the design is finalized, we proceed with creating detailed drawings for approval and construction as per the agreed schedule.
Who would design our project?
Both Ar. Reny Lijo and Ar. Lijo Jos are actively involved in the design process, ensuring that we are both available for all major meetings. We collaborate closely on the design development for each project. Once the project has reached a desired level of refinement, one of us will take the lead in handling it. This decision is based on who is relatively free at that time. From then on, you will interact with the architect handling the project, ensuring smooth and effective communication throughout the process.
Do you give us several options of designs to choose from?
We usually present a single design that we believe best aligns with your needs and vision. We leave no stone unturned during the design stage to ensure that the first set of designs we present is our most refined and well-suited to you. Based on our track record, very few projects have required revisions until now, as our thorough approach and effective communication typically result in designs that meet your expectations from the outset. Our goal is to deliver a design that truly reflects your desires and requirements.
Do you handle the construction of your designs?
No, we do not take up construction. As a boutique practice, we specialise in design-related services and focus solely on creating innovative design solutions.
Do you supervise your projects?
We do not offer regular supervision, project management, or bill checking, as our small studio focuses on design-based solutions rather than project execution. However, we provide timely visits at various stages (depending on the scheme chosen) to ensure that the construction aligns with the finalised design.
Do you handle renovation, extension, or conservation projects?
Currently, we do not take on renovation, extension, or conservation projects.
If we already have a plan from another source, would you handle the detailing or design the rest of the project?
No, we prefer to start projects from scratch to ensure the best outcomes as architects. This approach allows us to fully integrate our design principles and deliver a cohesive and well-thought-out result.
Do you design Elevations alone?
No, we do not design elevations in isolation. We believe in approaching each project holistically, where every element is integral to the overall design, ensuring that each component contributes meaningfully to the project’s functionality and aesthetic harmony.
Do you design considering Vastu?
No, we do not design with Vastu considerations in mind. Our approach prioritizes essential design elements such as ventilation, spatial management, circulation, and aesthetics. We believe that these aspects align with the principles Vastu aims to address. Unfortunately, Vastu has been commercialised and misunderstood in recent times, often capitalizing on people’s concerns. Therefore, we focus on practical and well-founded design principles and distance ourselves from ambiguous beliefs or practices.
How can we contact you?
CALL US
+91 98470 16689
+91 94469 40633
+91 487 2388633
E-MAIL US
Project and other related enquiry: lijo.reny@gmail.com
Internship and job related enquiry: openingsatlra@gmail.com
WE ARE AT
LIJO.RENY.architects,
TC 32/229/1 , Krishna Lane,
Punkunnam, Thrissur-680002
Kerala, INDIA
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All photographs are by their specific photographers, mostly Praveen Mohandas and Suneesh Suresh. If you are interested in the publication or use of an image please contact LIJO.RENY.architects through lijo.reny@gmail.com.