So, Why be an Architect?

It does seem that as Architects take the blame for any number of factors that are beyond the scope of design, time delays and cost over-runs seem to be the most popular, and are subject to media scrutiny for any number of ‘design problems’ or sometimes merely down to the fact that somebody does not ‘like’ it irrespective of what it is actually achieving for the community. It is easy to criticise somebody else’s work based on personal views of what is deemed good or bad, it is like saying that I prefer Jaguar cars over BMW therefore BMW is not good, which of course is stupid. Then there is the scenario where somebody did not install one of over a thousand components correctly and there is a problem that needs to be rectified, therefore this is a bad car, bad design and so on, which is equally stupid.

As a designer when talking with colleagues there is always scope to be able to say that ‘I would not have designed it that way’ without the knowledge of the challenges that the designer faced, resulting in the project following a certain strategy and having a certain appearance. As a critic it is more difficult to understand a project in terms of what it set out to achieve and be able to make a judgment as to whether the vision is being achieved. It is not always easy to convince clients that there are reasons not to follow practices that were accepted twenty-five years ago, particularly in regions where the perception is that Architecture is just building to make money. It is about educating clients and there is the real skill, it is not about drawing, rendering and fabrication details, specification, project schedules and so on. It is about the sharing of ideas and sharing of knowledge, taking the clients on the journey, from having a vague idea to fully understanding their requirements and the impact that the project will have on their image, and how they are perceived by the local community and in some cases, the global community.

Why be an Architect? This is why, to make a difference! Hopefully to make what will prove to be a lasting and positive contribution to society, the built environment, and the natural environment in which we live and depend on for our very existence.

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