Building a home isn’t just about designing walls and roofs - it’s about creating the place where life truly happens. A space that will shape your comfort, emotions, and quality of life for many years ahead.
Choosing the right architect is the single most important decision in that journey.
Whether you’re planning a family house in Podgorica, a coastal villa in Budva, or a complete apartment redesign, finding the right architect in Montenegro can make the difference between stress and harmony, between a home that frustrates you and one that quietly supports your life every day.
Here are 8 absolutely crucial things to check before deciding which architect to work with:
1. Style fit
Start with the obvious - you have to like their aesthetic.
Browse their portfolio and see if their design direction matches your taste. For example, many clients reach out to me because they prefer my Mediterranean, Scandinavian, or Portuguese-inspired style. I also make it clear which styles I don’t work with, such as more Oriental aesthetics like Turkish, and that clarity helps attract clients who naturally share a similar sense of design.
Getting an architect who shares your design sensibility is a no-brainer. Without that alignment, collaboration will always feel forced and the result will never feel like home.
2. They want to know you
The right architect spends the first meeting listening and asking questions not talking about themselves.
A good architect spends the first conversation getting to know you: how you live, move, cook, rest, and dream, instead of talking about themselves.
If they listen carefully and try to understand your lifestyle, priorities, and routines before sketching anything, you’re definitely on the right track.
3. Distinct design touch but every project unique
A great architect has a recognisable design line, but no two projects should look the same.
When a portfolio looks like a copy-paste of Pinterest houses, it’s a red flag. Ask directly:
“How do you ensure my home feels like me, not like your previous client?”
If they can explain it clearly, they’re probably the right architect for you.
4. Work directly with one architect
When building a home or designing an interior, it’s essential to always know exactly who is doing the core work.
In many architecture bureaus, so-called “smaller projects” are often assigned to interns or junior architects.
If possible, choose an individual architect or a small studio where the same person who meets you will also develop your design and oversee its implementation. This ensures consistency, accountability, and a much smoother process from start to finish while maintaining the same quality standard throughout every stage of your project.
5. Understands both aesthetics and space flow
Beautiful spaces mean little if they’re uncomfortable to live in.
A great architect thinks about how you’ll move through your home, how daylight enters rooms, how proportions affect calmness, and how functional details support everyday life.
If the design only looks good in renderings but ignores daily movement, it’s decoration - not architecture.
A good example is kitchen design - often overlooked in terms of layout and flow, which ends up causing daily frustration for years to come.
6. Leads the process from sketch to completion
An architect should coordinate, not just draw.
They need to understand local regulations, have experience working closely with other engineers and builders, and be involved in supervising key stages on site.
Ask about their experience with permitting and construction - it reveals how capable they are of turning a design into a finished, well-executed home.
7. Has international experience
Architecture is a multidisciplinary and deeply cultural field.
An architect who has studied, lived, or worked abroad often brings broader perspectives, a stronger awareness of sustainability standards, and a more human-centred approach to design.
This kind of experience helps bridge international expectations with Montenegro’s unique lifestyle, climate, and terrain resulting in spaces that feel both global in quality and local in character.
8. Organized and professional
Design and construction can easily become chaotic. An organized architect turns that chaos into calm.
Pay attention to small details: how quickly they respond to your messages, how clearly they explain their process, and how precise their offer is.
These subtle habits reveal a lot about how they’ll handle your project later. Structure, clarity, and responsibility are qualities that show long before construction even begins.
9. Chemistry and communication style
Even the most talented architect can be difficult to work with if communication doesn’t flow easily.
Pay attention to how the architect makes you feel. Do they explain things clearly, listen without ego, and respect your opinions?
A strong working relationship and mutual trust are often what make complex projects enjoyable instead of stressful.
If you’re building or redesigning your home, get in touch and see if we’re the right fit - the kind of architect who truly meets all the points above. :)