By Matt Luttrell
Read the entire exam prior to answering any questions
Nothing can be more frustrating than having to do something because someone told you that you have to. Quite often, clients give us a call, not because they are inspired to create a work of art, but because the building code official said they need to hire an architect. I am an architect and I feel your pain! I hate when someone tells me I have to do something, especially when it is going to cost me something; time, money, resources.
While there are hundreds of architects in the Central PA area (AIA Central PA has over 300 members) most people do not personally know an architect and even fewer know what an architect does on a daily basis. Therefore most are not sure why they would want to invest their resources on someone/ something they are not even sure why they need.
“Necessity is the mother of invention.” A slight variation on Plato’s quote, but it is as true as frequently as it is ignored. Out of necessity springs some incredible opportunities. Quite often, these are opportunities that we would not otherwise be presented with. The buildings you work in and the house you live in have an incredible impact the quality of your life. The quality of your interactions, your mood, and the efficiency of your actions are all directly impacted (positively or negatively) by your built environment. Most people only have one or two opportunities in their lifetime to be an integral part of shaping a building project. Embrace and understand these opportunities.
The following are my top 3 reasons why you should hire an architect for any project that impacts your living/ work environment:
1. Architects are problem seekers. Most of the time the biggest issues/ problems are a result of not understanding the complexity, magnitude, or the implications of the issues. Einstein said, “If I were given one hour to save the planet. I would spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute resolving it.” Cost, schedule, life safety/ code, function, regulation, image … If you don’t know what the problems are, most likely you won’t get the right answer. Or, if there are 10 problems on the test and you only know of 7 of them, then the most likely outcome will not be much more than satisfactory.
2. Architects were historically known as Master Builders. Not so long ago architects were relied upon to have the extensive knowledge and ability necessary to provide an owner with not only the building design, but the building. Today, architects are required to maintain the same level (if not more) of knowledge and expertise. We generally do not do the construction, but we do act as the owner’s eye’s and ears throughout construction.
3. Architects are problem solvers. The practice of architecture reaches into every venue of our society and culture via the built environment. This requires that we develop a knowledge base of the resources and practices of each project, client, and business that we work with. We know where, when, what, why and how to systematically solve your problem. And on the rare occasion that we cannot fully navigate the resolution of your problem we will know who can help you.
Just as important as solving the problem is the process of defining the problem. We all remember the test instructions: “Read the entire exam prior to answering any questions.” How many of us were just too anxious to jump in and started…
Comments on this entry are closed.