“Just do what I tell you” … what a horrible arrangement of 6 words. You would hope that the only time this phrase is issued is when a 4 year old is involved and even then … kind of dodgy. It’s rude and it’s not conducive to creating healthy working situations.
The phrase itself presents a scenario where one party is clearly at odds with the other … bad architects think it and bad clients say it.
[enter the narrative …]
Architect: “You should paint this wall white.”
Client: “I don’t like white, it’s boring. I want this wall to *POP* so I want it to be blue.”
Architect: “Well, white in this space is an appropriate color based on your programming objectives. This is the wall where you wanted to hang that painting … the white will recede and act as a backdrop for your art, allowing it to be the point of interest here, not a blue wall.”
Client: “But I really like blue and think it would be great.”
Architect and Client [in unison]: “Just do what I tell you.”
Luckily I haven’t had this exact conversation because it would be awkward for that client to see it reprinted here. I have had conversations where I’ve made some sort of architectural gesture and the client didn’t want it for one reason or another. I normally try and plead my case – they either buy into it or they don’t – and then I move on. There are times when I will pull out my ace in the hole and tell [ask] the client to do something just because I am telling them they this is really important and as their design professional I think they are making a mistake. They need to trust me on this (one particular item). That’s a big card to play and I rarely pull it out … you have to gauge the quality of the relationship because you are basically telling the client they are wrong in a very blunt way … you haven’t convinced them to your way of thinking, you lost … so this is a last and desperate measure.
Most formally educated designers have been trained to understand why they like something and to then be able to communicate those reasons. While the client might like a certain shade of orange because it’s pretty, I might say I like that shade of orange because the way the light hits it causes the surrounding areas to change and that modifies the perception of the size of the room.
Part of my role as architect is to be an interpreter and translator – to listen to what the client is saying and then to digest, interpret, prioritize and re-issue that information back to them. The goal is to ultimately protect the client from themselves, scrape away all the nasty bits of conflicting thoughts and imagery they have been assembling, and present back to them a clearer and more representative picture of what they are after. I truly believe that design professionals are better at their job when they are able to develop a personal relationship with the client along the way; It makes it easier to help them create a house that suits the the way they really live, instead of how they think or hope to live.
If I weren’t able to create meaningful relationships with the people I work with, it makes that moment when I ask them to “trust me” that much harder. Being able to tell someone what to do is not the key to a successful project, it’s all about collaboration.
Cheers,
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In college the mantra was “Tell me what you want and I’ll give you what you need”. Never agreed with that. We would throw the “designers” for a loop after they gave their presentations with all these wonderful abstract and graphic illustrations. They would typically ask “Any questions?”. To which we “nuts and bolts” architects would say “Yea, where do you put your vacuum cleaners?”
I have a client that keeps telling me, “that is fine just do it. I trust you.” Somehow I can never quite suppress the idea that what they really mean is “that is fine just do it so I can blame you.” So far though things have gone pretty well and there hasn’t been any blaming. I hope is is just my suspicious nature.
You right! Making the clients see what architect see is a harder job than the design itself haha, there is no use of a great design if the clients think that their imaginary is better 🙂 especially when we are arguing a layout in a piece of paper. even sometimes i think that some of the clients are not really feel the space or even read that plan (no offense) ^_^
So.. how exactly to be a good interpreter and translator ? 🙂
How to become a good interpreter and translator?
Practice.
Hi, Bob .. can I take a look of your projects from the web? Thanks
Not sure I understand what you are asking – can you rephrase?
ow sorry if i am confusing.. I mean is there any published architecture projects of yours that I can see? like your portofolio 😀
My firms website is http://www.mma2000.com – there is loads to see there.
Cheers
Certainly counts as bad a design rationale as a management one.
I do agree with the premise and the way your worded working out differences. After all they’re the client right. However, there will be a time, at least once in our careers where we will reach an impasse. That’s a difficult time to make a choice. However, I’d prefer to go along with your philosophy of dialogue and work to explain your position passionately. Most times they’ll come on over, except when it’s white paint.
Exactly right – you should check out this link:
http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/ceiling-heights-and-scoreboard/
It describes the exact scenario you identified. (yikes)
Yikes is right. Now I’m trying to do a better job at vetting clients before we agree. I’d rather have no work than go through some of my recent frustrations. I also don’t expect them to put up with me if they are looking for something else.
So true. The real art is when you can not only get the client to agree with your choice, but when they think it was their idea in the first place. They’ll tell their friends “So I convinced the Architect to paint this wall white…”, while you secretly smile to yourself.
C’mon Ryan! You know that this isn’t about manipulating the client into doing what you want, this is about creating ownership in the process where everyone is on board with the priorities set during the programming phase. After that, we can act as caretaker to a certain extent and try and distill the many visions and ideas down to their essence.
I know. I meant that to be a little tongue-in-cheek. This is similar to the discussion today with the Archispeak crew about how little things like sketching out ideas with the client gets everybody involved in the design process and allows the owner to take ownership of the design as well.
“bad architects think it and bad clients say it.” – yep, experienced both. Well said.
Thanks (and I’m sorry)
it can be frustrating, but in the end, the client is always right (whether we agree with them or not). we cannot forget that it is their building and their money. we can just do the best we can to keep them from making mistakes. but as you say, sometimes that is difficult. and as you said, it is often best to move on…..
experience will definitely help you decide what battles to fight – some are worth arguing and some are not – knowing which is which is the secret. We still have a responsibility to the client and to our own mores and values, that’s when having a good relationship with the client comes in handy.
You captured this scenario perfectly. Sometimes all it takes is a little more listening and explanation on our part. Nobody liked “because I said so” as a child, it is even less kind as an adult. We have the luxury of seeing 5 steps passed where the client is looking, our job is to help them understand – which is what you call relationship building. 🙂
I actually quit a job once because one of the partners in the firm said “because I said so” – very irritating. I thought we were in this together??
As a result of that experience, I pay particular attention to the fact that everyone needs to be involved and educated along the way, Knowledge breeds understanding and and understanding breeds appreciation …
Thanks for the comment Lisa!
Why don’t you just do what I tell you?
Like hop on a plane and come hang out with the Canadians for a while. Bring the nice weather with you 🙂
Okay, now that I started with that annoying sentence… I agree !
There are sooooo many times when it works out to let the architect/designer/artist/design professional have creative license and do their magic.
That is where the real true gorgeous magic happens !
Beauty. Beautiful. Ahhh.
I hear it gets kinda cold in Canada … does that treehouse of yours have any insulation in the walls?
I like to tell the people people I’m lucky enough to work with that they should tell me what they want, let me come up with some possible solutions, and then we’ll both take it from there.
A truly elegant definition of a design professional – bravo! Very accurate.
Thanks Douglas!