There are a million answers to this question but the basic answer is: An architect is a service provider. They provide a service as opposed to selling a product.
As a service provider we see ourselves as a tool, a tool you currently do not posses, a tool you can’t fully imagine and possibly think you could get by without. Once you’ve used this tool, our services, you most likely couldn’t imagine tackling that kind of task again without it. This tool teaches you how to use it and warns you of probable accidents. This is a tool that you would be hard pressed to exceed its capacity or versatility and yet is nothing without a hand to guide it. This is a tool that molds its self to the hand that guides it. Because the project is yours, this tool merely makes it possible for you to design it yourself. The tool can’t do your project for you but it will make the difference between using a rusty pocketknife and a laser to craft your design. You will be able to do what you want easily and professionally. Don’t force the tool to do things it wasn’t meant to or attempt to remove the safety features. It will stop working or you will get hurt. Take the time to understand the proper application, function and operation of the tool. Why ask the plumber to do electrical work or a contractor to design? There is a saying, “If all you have is a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail.” This kind of tool will tell you when you need a different kind of tool to get the job done right, this is part of the service we provide.
What do we do as a tool, a service provider? We counsel, consult, suggest, educate, research, coordinate, document existing conditions and synthesize your program (thoughts, needs, and ideas) into a coherent and assessable form. The images you see on the web pages and the projects you might visit are the results of our efforts. What is harder to depict in a website is the methods we may employ for a completely successful project to be realized. There may be a need to develop a master plan, do a site analysis, phase the project relative to available funds or to accommodate foreseeable future needs, resolve conflicts between clients, develop a strategy to deal with legal, historic, structural issues, building code etc. We represent the client and defend their interests. A city administrator will say, “We’d like to see such and such.?” Our diplomatically worded response is, “To make sure there is no misunderstanding can we have that request put into a document and would you please couch it in terms of what is required by code, statute and ordinance?” And in a detached tone of voice, “Will the city sign off on all liability unforeseen as a result of this course of action? This is not what we feel, as architects, is in our client’s best interests and programmatic needs.” This is as much a part of realizing the project as putting together construction documents. The level of service we provide will be as detailed as you feel you need, from sketches to finishes. We will help you determine the depth of services also; some types of projects require certain documents.
Another aspect of representing the client’s interests has to do with protecting them from people with conflicts of interest in their decision making. Many builders try, and often succeed, in “conspiring” with the client to get the architect out of the picture ASAP. The architect acts as the watch dog for the client’s financial chicken coop. Working by the hour our only concern is getting the best project for the least cost so our clients are happy and we get great references and often some good friends as well. Not so with some other players on the project. It is not always malicious, sometimes it is born of ignorance, a busy schedule or merely opportunity. A quick example: The HVAC contractor knows this project needs an engineer so he calls in a favor on a low fixed fee. The engineer does the easiest thing he can, to at least break even, and calls it good. We review the decision and know that by spending a little more money we can put in a system that will save the client tens of thousands of dollars a year (energy use). Who do you want guarding the project’s funds? Figure out who the guard dog is and who the fox is before all your chickens are gone! Make sure who ever is making the decisions does not have a conflict of interest; we are required by law to inform you if we do.
No two projects are the same. No two people are the same. Some people need a model or a detail mock-up to fully understand or evaluate a design; sometimes the projects are so involved they help us too. Other people have a very good idea of what they want and are comfortable with their ability to visualize. Some people just need a sketch and a pep talk with some direction. Other times we help people find innovative ways to finance their project. At times, using higher quality, more efficient or alternative building materials and methods, or by decreasing and sometimes even increasing the size of the project, it becomes more attractive from a financing perspective. We assist people by helping them past preconceptions of how they believe things have to be done. On every project we work with the clients to ensure that the project will serve their needs beyond their expectations while staying within their budget. We work together to pick the best site which is often different than they had first imagined once we point out other issues and options. We orient the structure, garden or light fixture to make the best use of sun, wind, other weather and views. We use the wind to blow the snow off drives or walks and for cool breezes, we locate the lighting and incorporate controls to enhance the desired intimacy gradient in that area from one of meditation to detailed task, all in one space.
Some people will just have us spend some time reviewing their design and commenting on it, pointing out missed opportunities and areas that need more development and thought. For a few projects that is sufficient and we will tell you if that is all that is needed. For other projects that would be a disservice to the client. Your project may well be around for many generations, it most likely could benefit from more than just a little cleaning up and a bit of tweaking here and there. We design using the concepts of synthesis and integration as opposed to, “Yeah, I guess that works OK.”
The client, like it or not (with a good designer) does the hardest work. We help develop the program, evolve the design, prepare the documents, dot all the “i”s and cross all the “t”s, but the client has to define the scope of work, make all the final decisions and answer questions. All these things affect the quality of the final design. We will make it as easy as possible, even fun, but the success of the project ultimately rests on the shoulder of the clients. The quality and amount of thought the client puts into their project is directly translated into the final project. You can’t make a steak dinner out of hamburger. If you’re completely happy with fast food, buy a speculatively built home; it’s easy and predictable but you don’t really know what you’re getting and the first criteria of it is maximum profit and minimum effort for the builder..
