Architects are cliché and are easily defined by stereotypes. Everyone knows it – even the client – so there is no sense in fighting it. See if you have ever said any of the following things:

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1) I’ll be home early tonight

2) I really should add some black clothing to my wardrobe, I wear too much color

3) Everything is going perfectly on your project

4) Your building is ahead of schedule and under budget

5) This will be my second vacation this year

6) You should listen to the contractor – he has fantastic design ideas

7) You have way too much money budgeted for this project

8 ) I learned everything I ever needed to know in college

9) I didn’t spend enough time in school

10) Designing that project was super easy, took almost no time at all

11) I can’t believe they pay me this much for so little work

12) I’m not much of a book reader

13) Just cut that tree down, there are plenty of trees all over this neighborhood

14) That’s okay, nobody will notice it besides me so you can leave it that way

15) I’ve never been wrong but you can just add a lamp later if you think it will be dark

16) I think I will get the eyeglasses with the silver frames, you’ll hardly notice them on my face

17) I am going to reduce my fees since this project is so straight forward

18) They are hiring me for my artistic abilities and don’t care how much it costs

19) At this rate, I’ll be able to retire by the time I’m 50 years old

20) I get to spend most of the fee actually designing the project

21) It’s having all the groupies that makes being an architect so rewarding

22) There should really be more codes to govern this

23) Most Planning and Zoning Departments have really got it all figured out

24) Which car should I drive to work today

25) I don’t think there is enough glass block in this project – work in some more

26) The idea of living in a house I designed sounds terrible

27) I think we should pull in some more consultants and get their opinion

28) Speculative development is the best because you can do whatever you want

29) I hate talking about architecture, I work on that crap all day

30) I don’t see ‘Zombies’ on your programming requirements

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Do you think I missed any? Add them in the comment section -

(By the way, if for some reason this post resonates with you, you might also enjoy ‘When you are an Architect…‘ I put together back in January)

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kinda - sorta related posts:

  • R Burns

    Turn back before it’s too late

  • KABS

    I have turned away projects, but they were moonlighting projects so I don’t think that counts.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Buchi-Gladness-Ekpu/100002513198661 Buchi Gladness Ekpu

    never trust your statements absolutely as  an ARCHITECT.

  • LadyArchitect

    I am an architect and I have had a discussion about “Zombies” as a programming requirement for a house. Who wouldn’t want a Zombie proof house?

  • Peter

    31) I dont care how it is going to look like, let’s just finish today, okay?

  • Laxmikantsurve

    Hi,
    I am an architect from India and i think the problems are same all over the world for architects

  • http://twitter.com/ExtremelyAvg Brian D. Meeks

    I think that any architecht who worked with or had read Eli Goldratt’s book, “Critical Chain”, might have said #4…or maybe they just thought, “Wow, we’re ahead of schedule and under budget…what do I do?”  <I love project management and it is a really good read too.

  • Architect’s wife

    How about, “The benefits are great!” (For sole proprietors, anyway)

  • Cristian Ele

    hahahaha, I laughed all the way to the end! You should add:

    “I payed all of my architecture studies in almost no time!” 

    or

    “I love architecture books!! they’re so cheap and you can find them anywhere :)

    P.S: For me being an architecture student my biggest worry is “how am I going to pay all the bank’s loans when I finish my university studies??” so far I owe around USD30.000 :/

  • Hcotterman

    You need to “Let’s ask interiors, I’m sure they will have some valuable input.”

  • Amn

    Those AIA dues are so-o worth the money.

  • John KNops

    I am not an architect but my daughter and son-in-law are. Here’s one.

    “Just buy the plans from a catalogue and save money.”

  • Arcanum

    “What do you mean it’s structurally sound?”

  • meh

    hey it’s Friday, let’s knock off early and grab a beer cos there’s not much work to be done

  • Help, I’m in HELL

    Sure, we don’t have to chase all ten RFPs at once; I know you don’t want to work on Christmas day.

  • Also in hell

    I think we should hire some more grown-up female licensed architects for our staff instead of young female interns.

  • I’m in HELL

    Okay, I admit it, I have O.C.D. and need some help. Now please tell me if there is a hyphen in “micromanager”.

  • Help, I’m in HELL

    What do you mean, people don’t wear bow ties anymore?

  • Oldpuck81

    Hang on, I really want to figure out this cool detail so the Contractor can build it.

  • Oldpuck81

    I’ll tell you how- go back and get an MBA so you can get a real job with a salary commensurate with this century.

  • ArchStudent

    Engineers totally deserve more credit. They do everything.

  • Mill_jr

    I’m sure the contractor will read the “General Notes” sheet.

  • http://www.facebook.com/okram2k Marko Fithian

    I’m going to keep my list of ten things to only ten things?

  • http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com Bob Borson

    what can I say … I like to under promise and over deliver

  • Brian Boatright

    I really enjoy your blog… but maybe I need to start a counterpoint one:  why I am disillusioned about being an architect.  Thanks for your humor and your optimism.

  • andrea.unm

    I owe about the same as well and still am in my undergraduate! I decided to bag architecture after undergraduate and get creative so I can actually pay the bills and not struggle!

  • Bradenaia

    I have actually said #24
    and done the following.
    Hey the new Lord of the rings is out. So Thursday is firm movie trip.

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  • Ionlywearblack

    That architect got every detail right, I wouldn’t change anything about their building.