SATU SHANGHAI · 14 SEPTEMBER 2026
Start with the use, not a style
A productive brief explains who will use the space, what changes during the day and what must remain private. For a family home, describe routines and possessions. For a business, describe customers, staff and operating hours. Reference images help communicate taste, but cannot replace these decisions.
Understand the building early
Collect plans, photographs and any landlord fit-out guidance before settling the layout. Record ceiling conditions, daylight, existing services and access for deliveries. A site review can identify constraints that change the programme or make an apparently simple alteration more involved.
Set a decision process
Identify who approves layout, budget, materials and changes. Agree how feedback is consolidated and when decisions are needed. A clear decision log is often more valuable than another presentation because it prevents previously settled items from quietly returning.
Separate priorities from preferences
Write down the elements that are essential at opening and those that can be phased. Share a realistic investment range and the reason behind the target date. This gives the design team room to protect the important experience when costs or lead times change.