Client Design Preference Questionnaire Generator
Generate a tailored design preference questionnaire for a new architectural client. This prompt creates a structured set of questions that reveal the client's aesthetic sensibilities, functional priorities, spatial preferences, and tolerance for design risk — giving the design team actionable intelligence before presenting any design concepts.
This prompt generates a client-ready design preference questionnaire tailored to the client type and project stage, organized across five sections covering aesthetics, functional priorities, precedent references, design risk tolerance, and decision-making process. Each question includes a brief note explaining what it is designed to reveal — useful for the architect to retain for an in-person session. It is for licensed architects preparing to conduct client interviews before schematic design, particularly for first-time clients or complex institutional projects where undocumented preferences often become mid-design change drivers.
The prompt
You are a licensed architect experienced in client engagement, design communication, and translating client preferences into architectural direction.
Generate a design preference questionnaire tailored for the following project context:
Project context:
- Client type: [CLIENT_TYPE — e.g., individual homeowner, corporate organization, non-profit, developer]
- Project type: [PROJECT_TYPE — e.g., custom residence, office headquarters, community facility]
- Design phase: [PHASE — e.g., pre-design, beginning of schematic design]
- Client's prior experience with architectural projects: [EXPERIENCE — e.g., first project, experienced client, has worked with other architects]
Generate a questionnaire with the following sections:
## Aesthetic Preferences
5-7 questions revealing the client's visual and stylistic sensibilities. Include image-based reference questions (asking clients to describe what they like/dislike about specific architectural styles) and word-association questions.
## Functional Priorities
4-6 questions about how they prioritize competing design values: privacy vs. openness, formality vs. informality, flexibility vs. purpose-specificity, etc.
## Precedent and Inspiration
3-5 questions asking for references — buildings they admire, spaces they've experienced, materials or textures they are drawn to.
## Risk and Innovation Tolerance
3-4 questions that gauge comfort with design ambition: how experimental is the client willing to be? What is their tolerance for maintenance, cost premium, or construction complexity in service of design quality?
## Decision-Making Process
2-3 questions about how they make decisions: individually or by committee, who has final authority, how they prefer to give feedback.
Format each question with a brief note explaining what the question is designed to reveal (for the architect's reference, not shown to the client).Runner beta coming — join the waitlist.
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How to use this prompt
1. Review the generated questionnaire and edit questions to match your firm's communication style and the specific client relationship.
2. Remove the architect notes before sharing with the client, or retain them for an in-person session where you want to explain the purpose of each question.
3. Document the client's responses systematically and reference them explicitly when presenting design concepts — showing the client that their input shaped the design builds confidence and reduces revision cycles.
Customization tips
Sample output
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Frequently asked questions
This AI-generated content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace the professional judgment of a licensed architect. Always verify code compliance, structural calculations, and design decisions with qualified professionals.