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For the last 12 years I have been in the architectural field, and because of the universe pointing me into another direction, I can honestly say that I don’t miss the client- architect relationship. Not to say that I would never go back, but I realized later in my career that the interaction or tug-of-war between the client, your dreams of what the building should look like, and your company’s demands of what it will look like, and the unrealistic goals of all parties involved became taxing to me!
The Architect and client don’t always see eye to eye
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Nick Varey
Architects are stuck in an uncomfortable existence between the dreams, aspirations
Habitables
and desires of the client and to put it bluntly, the laws of common sense, decency and good design. This becomes more apparent the more time you spend with clients wishing to create the famed ‘open planned living experience’. When all is said and done, 90% of them would ignore good design treatments for the ultimate space internally, regardless of what this meant for the outside of the building or how muddled the entire space looked.
An architect has to balance these (sometimes illogical) demands with local requirements for design, sustainability, energy conservation and good taste – sometimes it isn’t possible to give you everything you want if you’d actually like your home built.
A good client is one that understands this need for balance. Not a ying/yang all things equal kind of balance, but rather an appreciation that great architecture and good internal design is born out of an interpretation of space, design and planning laws that is sympathetic to each. What it isn’t about is serving every wild whim of a client who really doesn’t know what they want.
Architects curse
If I could pass one message onto clients it would be this: Let your architect do their job. We are experts in creating structures that fulfill the majority of even the most outlandish internal design requirements, and that also get through planning – its what we’ve studied for. If you want great design, both internally and externally then let an architect do what it is you’re paying him for. Design inspiration is great, but we don’t need the entire contents of Google dumped in our inbox. The great Australian businessman Bob Clifford once said – “we will find ways to deliver”. I’m going to add a worth Australian caveat to that – “if you let us do our bloody jobs”.
Great design is a labour of love, for both the client and the designer. Don’t turn it into a laborious task than is isn’t fruitful for anyone. Trust in your architect, and they will deliver, I promise.
Nick Varey – I live in London, UK, and work for a small Architecture practice. My passion is great design, and I am the founder and editor of habitables.co.uk I created the site to be a place for the dissemination of great design and architecture.
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Hey Nick – enough with the whiny, pout-y “clients don’t get me” stuff – it doesn’t help your get more business and will probably turn potential clients off.
Like any good businessman, it’s your job to educate and enlighten your clients; if you’re having trouble convincing them of the benefits of good design then you need to sharpen your presentation and selling skills.
Look at this from your clients’ side of the table – why should they spent tens of thousands on your services? Then put together a great presentation that answers that question. For the ones that get it, great. For the ones that don’t, move on!
“Trust me, please” ain’t gonna get it done! Great relationships are the heart and soul of this business – it’s up to YOU to define and build that relationship!
Hi Richard,
I appreciate your thoughtful and (non) whiny comment. I’m not sure there is a point anywhere within the entire post that I whine, but thanks for the comment all the same.
I agree whole heartedly with your point that it is our job to enlighten our clients as to the merits of good architecture and a well designed space, but by their very presence at a design meeting with an architect, they are exhibiting (albeit at a basic level) an appreciation of this – if they wanted a basic extension/loft conversion, most builders are quite capable.
The point of the piece was to address what I have seen as a real problem within the industry. The practise I work for has plenty of clients and a good amount of work coming through the office – working on our presentation and selling skills is not something that we need to focus on.
What needs to happen across the entire industry is a greater appreciation from the general public that use our services of the job we are capable of doing. The fact that people are spending tens of thousands of pounds highlights the point further. Trust, to a certain degree is earned through previous work – this is why a client will choose a certain architect over another. Its a trust in their ability. This is all I am alluding too, not trust on a personal/business ‘heres my money, dont waste it’ level.
This industry is built on relationships, but only to a point. Hard work and quality of work is what shines through. I have plenty of clients that are a joy to work with. They are understanding of the architects process, and supportive to the point you have to ask ‘why cant you be my client all the time’. There are others though, and I eluded to one in the post that make the job a hundred times harder.
I welcome your comment, I do however think you misunderstood the post – it wasn’t a whine, it was merely a statement of fact. Some clients are hell to work with. When it is all said and done, it really is that simple.