Journal

What is an architect actually worth? Making the case for the tangible and intangible value architects bring to projects.

I’ve spent a lot of time recently considering the VALUE of an architect.

One of the damaging perceptions about the role of the architect is that we simply apply a cosmetic veneer to things. That ‘design’ is purely subjective, that we’re only concerned with appearance, or matters of taste. That all we do is dress things. This perception erodes our value.

So here’s a thought experiment.

For your next project don’t employ an architect and see how it goes. But first consider this.

Who is going to gather together the (at times contradictory) complexities of the brief, the site, planning policy, the views of the local community, building regulations, structure, MEP, BSA etc etc and meld it into a coherent solution?

Who is going to meet, listen to, and debate with the many third parties involved in the design and construction process to resolve a design solution?

Who has the creativity to produce solutions that you never envisioned or couldn’t imagine? Solutions with health benefits, better learning outcomes, improved productivity, better sustainability credentials, a sense of joy, or that will make you more money?

Who has the knowledge, resources and skills to guide, manage and coordinate the consultant team and their outputs?

Who has the spatial understanding and problem-solving ability to resolve three-dimensional problems as they arise?

Who is going to underpin the project with a narrative to help planners, communities, funders, investors and other parties to get behind the project? Who is going to sell the vision?

Who has the knowledge to oversee every part of the building from flood risk, to drainage, to condensation, to floor finishes, to differential movement, to soil heave, to urban greening factor etc etc etc (or if they don’t, knows where to find it)?

Who has the technical knowledge, not only to produce the detailed information required to build, but also to foresee potential problems in advance?

Who is going to consider, not only the finished building, but how it is going to be managed and maintained and what will happen to it at its end of life?

Who has the technical knowledge to inspect the project during construction, identifying and resolving problems or identifying where the construction has not been implemented correctly?

Who will take RESPONSIBILITY for all of the above.

If you fancy doing your next project without an architect, go ahead, give it a try. I dare you.

I’d love to see the results.