Managing Expectations
Often Architects and clients have divergent expectations of projects process, so we like to get on the same page from the beginning. Here's a list to consider:
and thanks to the mastermind group at AMI for the great starting point! We provide a similar ‘team guidelines’ tailored to our project types at the beginning of any project.
Trust Wisdom: An architect brings years of expertise and is fully dedicated to the success of your project. Trust in their knowledge and the creative process to realize your vision.
Quality/Quantity: Prioritize the enduring beauty of design and functionality over sheer size. Resist the temptation of transient grandeur.
Pay Promptly: Uphold financial commitments in a timely manner. This ensures uninterrupted creative momentum and project progress. Key to timely completion: prompt payment to contractors.
Define Expectations: Clients, articulate your goals, visions, and boundaries distinctly. Architects can best serve when they truly understand your aspirations.
Actively Listen: Prioritize listening over speaking. Clear and open communication is the bedrock of a fruitful collaboration.
Collaborate Harmoniously: Engage with each other as partners, value each other's input, and co-create with a shared vision.
Realistic Budget: Establishing a transparent and feasible budget related to the scope is crucial to a project’s success.
Embrace Constraints: Recognize that every project has its limitations, be it budgetary, regulatory, or site-related. Navigate these gracefully, acknowledging their existence and leveraging them as creative challenges.
Foster Adaptability: Both clients and architects must be prepared for evolving needs and unexpected shifts. Flexibility and the ability to pivot are virtues.
Respect Boundaries: Clients, trust architects to manage their domain of expertise and avoid burdening them with unrelated tasks. Architects, be clear about the scope and deliverables.
Mutual Growth: Continual reflection and learning ensure that both clients and architects grow together, refining collaboration for future endeavors.
Uphold Protocols: Avoid engaging subcontractors or contractors without the architect’s knowledge or presence. Clear communication channels and respect for roles ensure seamless execution.
Journey value: Understand that great architecture is a product of time, dedication, and mutual respect. Commit to a long-term partnership that cherishes every step.
Document Success: The architect retains the right to photograph the finished project, with all due regard to the client’s privacy.
Limit comparisons: Every project is unique. If a colleague did something that doesn't necessarily make it suitable for your project.
Prioritize Sustainability: Embrace eco-friendly and sustainable practices in design and execution. Recognize that creating spaces with a low environmental footprint benefits not just the occupants, but the world at large.
Celebrate Milestones: Every phase of the project, from the first draft to the breaking ground, is significant. Celebrate these achievements to acknowledge the hard work and to build momentum for the journey ahead.
Practice Empathy: Remember that a project isn't just about brick & mortar, or aesthetics. It's about people's dreams, aspirations, and futures. Approach each phase with understanding and sensitivity.
Stay Informed: Architectural styles, techniques, and materials are constantly evolving. Both clients and architects should stay updated on the latest opportunities and technologies, ensuring the end result is modern, functional, and timeless.
Value Feedback: Constructive criticism is a catalyst for growth. Regularly seek feedback from both sides and use it as a tool to refine and elevate the project's outcome.
Advocate Education: Especially for first-time clients, understanding architectural jargon, processes, and nuances can be daunting. Architects should educate clients, making them active participants in the journey, while clients should proactively seek to understand the architectural world.