Ep 157: Project Constraints

You sit down at your desk, you turn your computer on, maybe you sharpen your pencils, you lay out your rolls of trace and your sharpie pens – whatever your creative process – and you are about to start work solving the problems at hand … But where do you start? Sitting before you are all the normal tools and a big fat blank piece of paper. This is a moment where you have to make a make a decision on what happens next. Where do you start? How do you set the priorities to the issues you will be addressing? Andrew and I are going to discuss the process of when you start, what happens next. Welcome to Episode 157: Blank Page versus Project Constraints.

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The word “constraints” often carries a negative connotation, as if they are problems we have to deal with. When starting a new project and hearing about constraints, it can feel like they are already limiting our ability to pursue our passion and creativity. However, I believe that constraints are not something to complain about. They help us make decisions, prioritize, and move forward. Constraints are like rules that guide us, almost like a how-to book.

Andrew and I both agree that having complete freedom might actually freeze us. Too many options can be overwhelming, and without any limits or rules, it’s hard to know which direction to take. Even with the same constraints, different architects can come up with multiple solutions because we all have different values and priorities. Constraints shape our creativity and force us to think critically.

Budget jump to 7:00

Scope Limitation: A tight budget can limit the overall scope of the project, potentially necessitating compromises on materials, finishes, and features.
Quality Compromises: Lower budget constraints might force the selection of cheaper, less durable materials, which could affect the building’s longevity and performance.
Design Adjustments: Innovative design solutions might be required to meet budget constraints, which can lead to creative outcomes but also might limit some design aspirations.
Project Delays: Insufficient budget can lead to delays if additional funds need to be sourced or if cost overruns occur.

In my conversation with Andrew, we spent a fair amount of time talking about budget as possibly the most critical constraint that owners and architect have to address. Many architects, myself included, fantasize about the ideal scenario where there is unlimited time, budget, and creative freedom. However, I have come to realize that this notion is neither realistic nor desirable. Constraints are essential and beneficial, as they provide a necessary framework that guides the design process and helps prioritize decisions. At first glance, constraints might seem limiting, but they actually facilitate creativity and problem-solving. Constraints can include budget limitations, client requirements, existing structures, and site conditions. Andrew was of the opinion that having too much freedom could be paralyzing, with endless possibilities leading to indecision.

I used residential projects to illustrate how constraints function – mostly because it is easier to explain because residential projects typically have fewer constraints. Building a new house on an empty lot might seem closer to having a blank page, but it still comes with constraints like zoning laws and environmental regulations. On the other hand, renovations and additions have more obvious constraints due to the existing structure. However, these constraints help narrow down options and inform design choices.

Time jump to 27:14

Accelerated Schedule: Tight deadlines might require an accelerated construction schedule, which can increase costs and potentially affect the quality of workmanship.
Limited Design Development: Insufficient time can limit the design development phase, potentially resulting in less thorough planning and detailing.
Coordination Challenges: Quick timelines can lead to coordination challenges among various stakeholders, including contractors, suppliers, and consultants.
Stress on Resources: Rushed timelines can strain both human and material resources, possibly leading to mistakes and rework.

Time is an essential factor that can dramatically influence both budgets and the overall quality of our work. We touched upon the challenges of accelerated schedules, which often require us to make quick decisions, limiting our ability to thoroughly solve problems. This rushed environment can constrain our solutions, forcing us to adapt existing structures rather than crafting optimal designs from scratch.

One of the primary issues we face with accelerated schedules is the impact on budgets. Clients often have to pay premiums to speed up the process, which isn’t surprising, but the rush can also degrade the quality of workmanship. High-quality vendors might not be available on such short notice, compelling us to opt for less experienced ones who can meet the tight deadlines but may not deliver the same standard of work.

Furthermore, these time constraints heavily restrict our design development phase. We find ourselves making decisions based on narratives and descriptions rather than detailed plans. This approach, while necessary to meet deadlines, can lead to significant decisions being made with incomplete information, affecting the final outcome.

The pressure to deliver quickly also hampers our creativity. I often find myself in the difficult position of having to rein in my team’s innovative designs to ensure they align with budget constraints. It’s frustrating because I know the potential of my team, but the reality of time constraints means we have to be pragmatic. We end up working on designs that fit within the client’s budget and timeline, even if it means sacrificing some of the creativity and uniqueness that we could have achieved with more time.

Codes and Zoning jump to 40:20

Compliance Costs: Ensuring compliance with building codes can add to project costs, particularly if changes are needed to meet requirements.
Design Restrictions: Building codes impose specific design restrictions that can limit architectural freedom and require adjustments to the initial design concept.
Use Limitations: Zoning regulations dictate permissible uses for the site, which can restrict certain project elements or intended uses.
Density and Height Restrictions: Zoning laws often include limits on building height and density, which can impact the project’s scale and design.
Setback Requirements: Zoning often mandates specific setbacks from property lines, which can affect the building footprint and overall site layout.
Rezoning Challenges: If a project requires rezoning, the process can be lengthy and complex, with no guarantee of approval, potentially stalling the project.

From my perspective, building codes, while sometimes complex, are relatively straightforward to navigate. They provide clear guidelines and requirements, such as stair pressurization, which we can easily interpret and implement with the help of MEP engineers. However, these codes undeniably impose limitations on our designs, especially in commercial projects where parameters like building height and floor count need to be determined early on.

One of the key challenges we face is the differing interpretations between us and the building permitting departments. This discrepancy often complicates our work, as their interpretations tend to be more restrictive. Fire marshals, in particular, pose significant hurdles with their stringent requirements. They can mandate specific placements for fire command rooms and other equipment, which can sometimes be impractical and costly for the project.

Zoning, on the other hand, though seemingly straightforward, can at times be a major pain point, especially in residential projects. Zoning codes dictate everything above ground, from setbacks to primary and secondary allowable uses and each municipality has its unique regulations, making it essential for us to investigate and comply with local rules for every project. Andrew pointed out that in residential projects, we also contend with homeowners’ association (HOA) overlays, adding another layer of complexity. These design requirements can be just as demanding as municipal codes. The cumulative effect of these constraints, whether from building codes, zoning regulations, or HOAs, requires us to meticulously plan and navigate through every stage of the project to ensure compliance and manage client expectations effectively.

Owner Decisions jump to 49:54

Design Revisions: Indecision can lead to multiple design revisions, increasing time and costs associated with redesign work.
Project Delays: Frequent changes or delays in decision-making can stall the project timeline, impacting the overall schedule.
Budget Overruns: Indecisiveness can lead to scope changes that cause budget overruns due to unplanned alterations or additions.
Stakeholder Coordination: Indecision can create coordination challenges among the project team, leading to confusion and miscommunication.

One of the primary constraints we often face is owner indecision. It frequently results in design revisions, which, while sometimes manageable on paper, become costly when changes are requested during construction. Andrew shared a story about a project where the owner decided to enclose a two-story space to create more room on the second floor, after the steel frame was already up. This change required a complete redesign, additional structural support, and ultimately delayed the project and increased costs.

Indecision or changes mid-project not only cause delays but also lead to budget overruns. For instance, when owners pause a project to secure new funding or change their minds about key features, it creates a ripple effect, impacting the schedule and financial plan. Moreover, despite our best efforts to provide detailed 3D models and visualizations, some clients struggle to visualize the final result until they see it in physical form. This often leads to last-minute changes when the construction is underway. While we strive to accommodate these adjustments, they invariably come with time and cost penalties.

Would you rather? jump to 61:47

When I came up with this episode’s question, I felt about as confident as one humanly could which option Andrew was going to choose

Would you rather choose to eat only 14 sandwiches, that can never change, or nothing but soup, but it’s unlimited variety?

I bet that is you are a frequent listener of the Life of an Architect podcast, you know which answer Andrew and I selected. We are fairly predictable in this matter and despite the logic that Andrew provides, I could never choose his answer … just as he would never be able to choose mine. I would REALLY like to know where you fall on this matter so if it won’t kill you, at the very least, just respond “soup” or “sandwich” in the comment section below.

Ep 157: Blank Page versus Project Constraints

Constraints can initially seem restrictive, but they are vital for problem-solving and creativity and they frequently help me prioritize decisions and establish a sense of order. Andrew and I agreed that having too much freedom could be overwhelming, leading to indecision due to the endless possibilities. Constraints such as budget limits, client requirements, existing structures, and site conditions help narrow down options and inform design choices.

Cheers,