5 Architect Challenges That Are Driving Them Mad

Starting your own firm is a challenge for almost all architects. Like in any other industry, there is no perfect time to delve into starting your own practice. Whether transitioning from being an employee to running your own firm or straight out of grad school. The biggest challenges one face’s is startup capital to cover initial expenses until a sufficient cash flow has been established, how to structure and manage their portfolio, client relations and satisfaction, professional integrity and ethical practices. Wanting to create a firm is not enough. Any new firm should study and understand the concept of branding and must efficiently communicate its reputation and values from the get go. Looking beyond the initial establishment of a firm but rather on a focused business plan and what keeps a professional practice viable and relevant is critical.

One might have the skills but not understand the business process and how to keep it afloat. Having your own voice and putting yourself out there in an industry that is so competitive presents itself as a challenge for most architects. However, with all these challenges within the field, mentorship is crucial for young architects looking to start their own business. Finding a mentor with an established brand beyond measure is highly recommended. Learn from those that have created a good name for themselves – how they have evolved over the years, how they participate in the growth of the industry and how they tackle opportunities within work and life to make their presence known.

Architects have a serious problem today with so much evolving so quickly, it is difficult to keep up with technology, material and design. As soon as you are introduced to new hardware or software such as Revit, Vectorworks and ArchiCAD, it seems as if it’s outdated in a couple of months. We have recently seen the rise of mobile apps for architecture; tools for measuring, drawing and project management. We are working in a world where to stay current; you need to be open to enormous changes and advances. Changing material technologies and construction methods exert profound influences on the art of building. When architects decide to harness these currents in thoughtful, open-minded ways, they continue to produce some of our most memorable edifices.

Clients expect you to be knowledgeable in order to provide superior services. A strategy has to be in place in dealing with these changes, eventually leading to new opportunities, success in project management and increased profitability. Knowing how things work and asking the right questions allows you to better serve your clients and run the right race with other forward moving competitors. When you do this, you avoid losing your competitive edge.

Communication between architects and clients has become complicated and a common reason for errors, delays and misunderstandings. Good architecture is the results of a back and forth process. However, every architect will face dealing with a difficult client at some point. A client’s unrealistic budget and expectations can present itself as a huge challenge. They become overwhelmed when you present your estimate outlining the actual amount of time and money it will take to do the job. This seems to be a growing trend where clients see the fee process as negotiable. It is acceptable for clients to ask for a discount, as long as you can still profit when you reduce the price.

Any project without defined goals from the initial stage is unlikely to end well. Each stage of a project requires feedback, allowing the client to get involved and to help them create ownership of the process. You need to know if the end result is something they truly love, especially in cases of new buildings and remodel projects. Some clients are never sure about what they want and change their mind all the time. Everything has a cost associated with it, delays and sometimes not being satisfied at the end. It’s nearly impossible to please someone who doesn’t communicate their desire and requirements and the task becomes too daunting to handle.

There is a gap between the new and old generation within architecture. Diligent veteran architects that have been in the industry hardly share knowledge but however hard it may be, architects need to understand the art of team work in order to bridge the gap between veterans and newbies. This will help facilitate change and keep pace with the fast evolving world. The interaction between the two generations can lead to great collaborations moving forward as older architects have deep insights about the architectural business and young architects have fresh beaming skills.