So… what do Architects actually do?
We get asked this question a LOT - from potential clients to friends and close loved ones, we find that there’s a lot of misunderstanding about what we actually do. Away from the stereotype of the bow tie, round glasses, sketches, models and blueprints, our profession is actually quite broad and multi-faceted.
Friends, welcome to our world, and let us explain a little bit about our profession as Architects!
Architecture vs Building Design
Before I get into describing our profession, I want to make a clear distinction between architecture and building design. Think of it this way - for us as Architects, the building outcome that you see, experience, inhabit and use is the physical manifestation of something deeper - our beliefs, our values, our care for people. Buildings shape and inform our emotions and behaviour - but more than that, as Architects we are always looking to create a sense of place - what it means to be living in a particular place at a particular moment in time.
This may seem like designer-waffle, but it is often the unquantifiable, yet tangible things that delight us as creative, emotive human beings. To pursue this is a much deeper and involved craft than just designing something that fulfills a functional brief for a number of rooms, or a certain area.
For us at EVER, we see our architectural work as a means of looking after people. And we mean this in a holistic sense, where we want people to experience life to the full, and in their flourishing, a positive effect radiates out to their loved ones, neighbours, community and city.
Some people respond to this by saying something like “well that’s nice - but for us, we are practical and functional people, and just want something simple to live in.” That’s more than OK! For us, we don’t expect our clients to think the way that we do - only that they understand that we commit to their projects whole-heartedly, with deep intent to design for their good. We firmly believe that the building outcome can be quite simple and functional, crafted with economical or efficient means even, when it has been designed with care, and refined with diligence and intention.
I hope this gives a little glimpse of the “why” behind our profession. In the end, the building outcome has to be purposeful and intentional, focussed on the good of those who inhabit and experience it. That’s what we strive for, every single day.
Wait… there are Different Kinds of Architects
Of course, the industry is broad, and some Architects are less philosophical than us, or more business minded, or more pushing the boundaries of design. That’s the beauty of working in a creative field. We may not agree on everything, but I would suggest that a good Architect should have firm convictions about purpose and design. These deeply-held truths gives guidance to work and informs the decision-making - without which one would be easily swayed by others, or new ideas, or trends.
Think of it this way - if we are on a hike, the Architect is the experienced guide who has stepped through before, and should be convinced that there’s a good way to get to the destination! To lead the client through this journey means walking step-by-step, involving them in the process, communicating with grace and care - but also leading as a trusted guide with a firm hand. To say architecture is a service, and “we’ll do whatever you want to do”, is actually to abdicate our responsibility.
It’s also true that the term Architect, while protected by law in Australia, doesn’t necessarily guarantee anything in itself (except for the fact that someone has spent a long time studying and then passed another exam!). There may be bad Architects and good Building Designers out there, so we’re certainly not here to bad-mouth other professions. Some Architects who are qualified overseas are allowed to transfer to Australian registration, while others don’t have that privilege - and that is something to keep in mind as well.
Within architecture practices you will also find staff of varied qualifications or experiences. For us at EVER, at the time of writing we have two registered Architects and three talented Master of Architecture Graduates as the core project team. Each team member has their own strengths and giftings, and we work collaboratively across the life of the project. I have always wanted to raise up the Graduates to be all-rounders capable of taking a project through from beginning to end, but more importantly understanding the why that drives the outcome - and for that reason, we have never taken on other types of Design staff (Draftspeople, Interior Designers etc) who may be more specialised in their field.
What about Interiors?
We see designing Interiors as an inherent part of architecture. In fact, in the “old days” (and in some parts of the world this is still true) Architects would be responsible for many small details - custom-making door handles, furniture, lighting fixtures etc. For this reason we love overseeing the entire process, and love assisting our clients with Interiors. Some have even asked us to help select furniture, rugs, audio visual equipment and the like.
However, we are also aware that other Architects are happy to “frame” the spaces and outsource the Interiors to others. We have worked with other Interior Designers before, but prefer to be on-hand to assist through the whole project’s life.
Apart from Designing Buildings with Care - What do we do?
Most people understand that we put work into designing a building and making it “nice”, but there are many other facets of the job as well. To be truthful, it’s not always fun, games and glamour - there’s a fair bit of “grunt work” to get through! Tasks like:
Measuring old buildings (and this can be a bit messy sometimes. Crawling through muddy Queenslander undercrofts, with cobwebs in our faces, is about as far from the glamorous image as we can go!)
Designing to climate and context
Being wise, intentional and clever with the use of materials
Storytelling through a Building, whether in terms of the client’s story, or creating a sense of a “journey” through a space or a range of spaces
Caring for people through designing for access and safety
Being the “glue” that holds the project together - working with Consultants such as Engineers, Certifiers and the like
Picking colours, finishes, materials, appliances etc. as required - trying to get great value-for-money and life-giving outcomes for the clients in the process
Working with Smart Home consultants, for those so inclined
Managing tenders and obtaining quotes
Maintaining good relationships with clients, suppliers, collaborators and consultants alike
Marketing and branding (and most of us are pretty bad at it)
Dealing with Building Contracts
Site Work (Administration and Coordination)
Administration tasks (billings, insurances, paying and managing staff etc)
Our job can be quite varied, and we roll our sleeves to do what it takes to achieve the end goal. Picking up things from warehouses, hanging up signs, meeting with people, checking out products, appearing on videos, delivering 6m lengths of metal on a 50cc scooter (yes this happened…), helping out at university, problem solving, making sure people get along, writing blogs like this one. Sometimes we feel like counsellors, educators, project managers, designers, drivers, and a mix of many things rolled into one. No two days are alike, but believe me, there are many days of hard slogging in the office as well.
It’s a real team job because it’s so broad. It’s impossible for one person to be good at all these things. That’s why I don’t really like it when the limelight goes to me, rather than the whole team.
The Old Iceberg… What lies beneath?
It’s not quite a perfect analogy, but as Architects what our clients and critics can see is what’s above the water line. The big question is what lies beneath - the intentions, thoughts and process that delivers the outcome.
Some focus on the visible, but there’s no depth to their work. That’s not the EVER way.
For us, we always go back to the motivation for our work - what drives us is to look after people. Architecture is a means to do so.
We believe that we can also redeem the project journey - by being a trusted guide for our clients, not abdicating our responsibility to lead, but walking step-by-step in an understanding and collaborative way.
The building is, then, an expression of these thoughts and realities.
It’s our strong belief that these things matter and have a huge effect on the outcome. Get things right, and the benefits ripple out during the building’s lifetime. Conversely, a sub-optimal outcome will be felt and experienced every single day, for many years to come.
Buildings shape behaviours and are a stage for life. That’s why we take our role so seriously. To see architecture as just a pursuit of luxury, or a window-dressing extra for the wealthy, is to miss the point completely.
Architecture is the means by which we help people to flourish in place.
Image by Simon Lee via Unsplash
As you can see, the role of the Architect is much more than sketching, model-making and designing.
The job is quite broad, and often a lot of the background work goes unseen. It’s helpful to consider that the project process is not linear - it’s often more like a vortex, where unseen work is done, incomplete designs are discarded, ideas explored and ruled out - but all this combines to get to where we need to go.
I hope you’ve found this little glimpse of our world insightful.
If you are looking for someone to help with the design of your home, my top tips would be:
Get to know your Architect. The process is long and the relationship matters. What do they believe in, how well do they communicate, and how much do they care? Do they listen and walk step-by-step with you?
Don’t cut corners with the Design. The hard work in the beginning always pays off as the building takes shape. Bad design is felt, experienced, and paid for over the building’s lifetime.
Because the “unquantifiable tangibles” matter, it’s important to understand how much the Architect cares for, and fights for the good of the project. What is motivating this?
Schedule a chat with us. We’re either best placed to help, or will point you in the right direction!
