Architects offer a service in which drawings are a tool to reach a conclusion… a conclusion that ultimately brings value to your project. They are a wealth of knowledge and are backed by a solid thought process. Yes I do get to draw, but my drawings are more than graphic representations. No, I don’t get to draw all day everyday, my typical day looks more like this- Drawing Baths and Architecture. What you’re paying for is the architect’s expertise that created those drawings. The drawings themselves are cheap, heck I’ll even pay * for the paper myself. As a client, you need to look past the architect’s drawings and be cognizant of the process that created the drawings. You can have cheap drawings you’re just not going to get them from me or any other architect who has your best interests in mind. However, it’s the thought and expertise that ‘back’ drawings created by an architect that’s going to cost. Many people seem to be under the impression that drawings are cheap, and they’re right. It’s the due diligence, experience, role of the architect in the design/construction process, and the thought(s) that created the drawings that bring value. Drawings play a supporting role in the overall process.ĭrawings themselves do not bring value to architecture. This in turn enhances the value we bring to a project. However, typically our value is in questioning, planning, clarification, detailing, and ‘solidifying’ numerous moving ‘parts’ into a cohesive design- which ultimately results in cost savings to you.
The value of an architect’s services is occasionally related directly to cost savings. Architects help you design/discover a structure that works for you and fits your individuality and preferences. The process involves problem solving, addressing your needs/wishes/budget/schedule, and complying with local building and zoning codes- all while designing an aesthetically pleasing efficient structure. A process backed with experience and expertise. However, drawing is part of a larger process of architecture. It’s the drawings backed by such that instills value. We need to do a better job at explaining the architect’s value to our clients lies well beyond the drawings created… and that we don’t just draw all day.Īn architect’s value is lost on the client if they only see the drawings and aren’t fully vetted as to the process/experience that ‘created’ the drawings. While awesome drawings are… well, awesome, they can also be a detriment. Even worse, if we’ve been good at the design solution, the resultant drawings look effortless and as if that was the only solution. The problem is quite simple it’s the ‘awesome drawings’ the client sees. We prepare awesome drawings that represent the vision for the project, with any luck the client loves them… and… pause…that right there is part of the problem. We architects get excited about meeting new clients and voicing our thoughts on the design problem and the solutions we have.
Part of our role as architects is educating the public what it is we really do… we fall short on doing so, I know I do. However, I’m making a conscious effort to not say that anymore, it marginalizes what we do. Now before you get up on your soap box and start calling me out, I admit… I’ve been guilty of stating the same thing. “Don’t you architects just do some drawings?” No, no we don’t. That’s not what we do and it’s part of the perception problem that the public has with what we architects do. Honestly, I’m getting tired of hearing clients and architects say “Isn’t that great, you/ I get to draw all day and get paid!”I know it’s typically stated flippantly, but we, or at least myself, need to really think about that.
0 kommentar(er)
