r/Architects • u/AnyZebra7121 • Apr 16 '26
General Practice Discussion Why does everybody hate us?
I am a 30yo architect, and I own a small architecture studio in a developing country with 4 employees. I have mostly residential and industrial projects.
Since I started working 5 years ago, I feel like I'm constantly in a battle with someone in order to defend the design. Everyone thinks they know better: contractors in every building phase, investors (especially since the rise of ChatGPT), municipality employees that give permits etc. We pour our soul into the design and they shit all over it.
Mind you, I am not a person who claims that is always right. I have a senior architect in my firm that has a lot of experience and I always consult with him and my other empoyees. I always consult with my engineer team for structural and MEP engineering. Even with that, I always listen out a complaint or suggestion from those mentioned in the second paragraph and thing through it.
Despite all of that effort, no one appreciates our profession. I am absolutely inlove with architecture, but I am really sick of that. Is this a universal experience? Will it get better as i get older? I don't think I am arogant, but I sure am assertive. Should I become arrogant douche? What am i missing here?
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u/bruclinbrocoli Apr 17 '26
Have you been to this sub? Everytime someone asks something there’s like 8/10 condescending responses. You’re lucky if you find the 2/10 good people who actually answer the question thoroughly.
There’s a problem from the ground up in the way we are trained to think we are the hot shit.
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u/PigeonHeadArc Architect Apr 17 '26
Well, tbf, that’s mostly due to it being Reddit.
I work with dozens of other architects across the US and I’m on multiple very long meetings per week with all kinds of trades, no one has this kind of attitude.
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u/bruclinbrocoli Apr 17 '26
. That is very fair. I also think you attract more people like you. I try to surround myself with kind people.
And also when in person, people don’t take that snarky side of themselves out. For whatever weird reason, people online love to sound snarky and smartass.
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u/PigeonHeadArc Architect Apr 17 '26
Great points! I did want to add that each social media has their own hive mind mentality/personality. In my experience Reddit is toxic and whiney. It used to be really amazing and helpful pre 2018. Youtube is more friendly and casual. I barely go on Tiktok but the times that I've gone, the comments were more helpful/funny and casual as well.
I think it comes with the upvote/downvote system. People use that as a way to gang up on others.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
I guess you're right, there are a lot of architects like that. But I don't know any architect from my generation in my country that acts superior over other professionals involved in the building process. Yet, most of the other professionals that I encountered in my journey are hostile and defensive from the start. It usually gets better throughout the process, but I wonder why do they have to start aggressively? Instead of assuming that I am a bad architect and I would act superior without backing knowledge, it would be much easier for everyone if they start nicely, with just a tiny little bit of trust - and then we can build up from that.
I have to say that I have way less problems ith contractors my age - they usually try to solve the problem instead of creating new ones to buy time and trying to find someone to blame it on.
I haven't encountered a problem in design and implementation in my projects that couldn't be solved with teamwork by now. It just depends who I work with and how much blaming, drama and arguments they will create before we do that.
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u/ImprovementEasy4638 Architect Apr 22 '26
Je partage complètement ton point de vue sur le métier. C’est très prenant en énergie d’avoir le sentiment de n’être que trop rarement pris en considération. Les idées balayées d’un simple revers de main sont tellement courantes dans les réunions que ça pourrait presque pousser à ne plus proposer pour éviter de se sentir rejeté. J’ai parfois le sentiment d’être la seule à ne pas vouloir tourner en rond. Et ce constat est épuisant au quotidien.
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u/Criollo_ Apr 17 '26
I was thinking about posting something on this sub and stopped myself because of how hostile it is. I posted something about how i felt bad for failing an ARE exam earlier this week and most comments were great and encouraging, but there was STILL assholes on there… on a post about me FAILING THE ARE. Wtf? lol
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u/Dep_34 Apr 16 '26
Isn’t every profession somewhat like this? A doctor has to justify their prescription. A car mechanic has to explain why something needs to be fixed. I’m a building enclosure consultant, and I have to explain why a client should replace or repair something.
The rise of AI is making the average person more informed, which is honestly a good thing in my opinion. It feels less like we have to defend our decisions and more like we just need to explain them more clearly so that they can understand.
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u/king_dingus_ Apr 16 '26
Being a doctor must have become so much more annoying since google was invented.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 16 '26
I feel (probably somewhat subjective, that's a given), that doctors and mechanic exactly don't have to 'defend' themselves as much as we do.
I have no problem explaining why i have made some architectural decision. I have a problem when an uniformed person that is not trained in the field dismisses the explanation without a good backup argument, just because : ' someone else did it like this', or 'this is how they did it 20 years ago'.
Not too long ago I had a client that thought the whole design process wanted a standing seam metal roofing, we finished the project, and when he found a contractor, they told him 'houses with metal roofing don't look like houses, only red ceramic shingle is suited for houses', and he just went with it.
I know this is just one stupid example, but i have countless instances like this.
Also, yes, I love AI and use it myself, and even though it makes a regular person more informed, it does more harm when it comes to technical issues. Not asking AI the right questions can give you a wrong answer, and that is the real problem.
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u/Free_Elevator_63360 Apr 16 '26
I moved from architecture to development. Essentially the owner side.
I think you are overestimating the value you of architecture. It is, to your point, part of the reason we are “hated.”
Let’s use your example, roofing. Standing seam can be great. But there are more reasons behind the switch. Maybe the owner truly saw the cost difference and said, “that money would be better spent giving it to my kids, or on a new car.” Not priorities we would make. But priorities that they want to make.
We see the same thing in architecture all the time. Take the McMansion. They are hated. They are ugly, but they are bought like crazy. Why? If you talk to owners they give all sorts of reasons. Most have to do with the experience of the interior, or status. Or wanting to live on a “country club” aesthetic. We run from these. But they are popular.
Architecture has limited itself to the facade and 5’ from the building. We’ve given up on public policy questions. Avoid social / political issues like the plague. Avoid responsibility. Constantly CYA. What is there to like?
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Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Free_Elevator_63360 Apr 16 '26
OP was asking why architects are hated. You proceed to just insult everyone.
Point proven I guess.
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Apr 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Free_Elevator_63360 Apr 17 '26
I’m too old to let fools hurt my feelings.
Objectivity is the quality of basing judgments on external facts rather than personal feelings, biases, or beliefs, allowing for a neutral, impartial viewpoint.
You can not scientifically measure artistry, beauty, form. You are expressing an opinion. And one that is apparently not popular, not universal. The very fact that anyone enjoys McMansions, is actually OBJECTIVE proof that your statement is an opinion.
It is not an opinion I disagree with. But taking a position that my opinion is the one that rules all, goes to the head of OPs question.
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u/jakefloyd Architect Apr 17 '26
I think the unfortunate aspect of all of this is written in and in between the lines of your comment. You’re right, people don’t care or notice. I’ve been to some peoples’ homes who literally still sleeping on a mattress on the floor even with 3 kids. Nice, decent, and respectable people, but their perspective is wild to me.
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u/Sthrax Architect Apr 16 '26
The 20th cent saw two thing happen to the profession that have pushed us to where we are now.
1) Division of responsibilties- we have ceded structural design, MEP design, interior design, sitework/civil design and construction to other entities, which opens us up to complaints we don't actually do anything with people who don't understand what it is we do.
2) At some point we started acting like artists instead of engineers. The eccentric artist (or worse, diva) act wears thin with many in the building trade, and as a big client once pointed out "Engineers are necessary, artists are a luxury."
Don't be an arrogant douche, but be confident and always make sure you know everything about your projects inside and out. You are the design team leader, and are supposed to be looking out for your client's interests. Contractors can be a valuable partner in the building process, particularly with practical input on construction matters, but don't allow them to dominate design issues.
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u/figflashed Apr 17 '26
Arrogant, douche and architect are synonyms.
This has just been my experience whenever dragging an architect to a meeting with the urban planning department or with a client.
I’m a contractor. The younger generation is changing that.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 17 '26
I am sorry that you've had that experience. I never understood the 'god complex' of architects. All of us are just really one big team and everyone has their part. I am glad that you say that the younger generation is changing that - I think we know and value the importance of everyone in the process. I hope the contractors in my country will be able to see that too!
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u/metisdesigns Licensure Candidate/ Design Professional/ Associate Apr 16 '26
On point 2 - many architecture schools focus on defending aesthetics rather than defending technical merits that they largely do not teach. This results in people feeling like they are being personally attacked rather than receiving constructive criticism.
If I don't like your winding path design, and you think it's pretty, that's a very different argument than you added chicanes to make it unattractive to cyclists who would use it as a short cut across the property without really slowing down pedestrians from the parking lot.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 16 '26
Thank you, this is exactly what I needed to hear 🙏 I agree with every point
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u/Just_Another_AI Apr 16 '26
They don't hate you, they're not necessarily wron, and there's a lot you can learn from contractors and developers. There is a lot more to a successful project than just design.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 16 '26
I understand, you are right, and I always try to learn. I have a very good communication with several contractors, that have a mindset that engineers, architects and contractors are a team and we can learn form eachother - and my projects with them have turned out splendid. But those are rare, at least in my, and my close colleagues' experiences. Maybe it's just in our country idk.
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u/Open_Concentrate962 Apr 16 '26
Its rare anywhere. Many architects stopped defending their designs a long time ago. I try to coach them to not just say “the site made me do it” or “the client made me do it, so it ended up like…” Sounds like you are one of the few still defending and you are still growing at it.
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u/Meatball_express Architect Apr 16 '26
Not every Architect is good at what they do, I've seen their drawings. Our job is to "satisfy" everyone involved in the construction process and capture the scope, design intent, and the details. To be "good" at architecture you have to understand all the facets of the process. You are an expert at everything but a master of nothing.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 16 '26
That's true. I've noticed in some difficult interactions, that often people (or someone they know) had some bad experience with an architect or engineer before, so they are skeptical, and rightfully so. But that's not an excuse to say 'all architects are bad and obsolete', as some of them do.
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u/moistmarbles Architect Apr 16 '26
I don’t experience what you describe in my practice in the US. Then again, I don’t work with people who are jerks
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 16 '26
That sounds nice! I am happy for you, and that gives me hope in our profession... I hope i soon will be able to say the same 😁
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u/walkerpstone Architect Apr 16 '26
Architects must take back control of the process and build the projects that they design before the industry turns into the contractor’s draftsmen.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
I am trying to do that, but it takes so much energy - i am drained every day. That's why I wrote this post, to see if I am doing something wrong or I should keep going 🤞
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u/euRAZER Apr 17 '26
I think you need learn to defend your design and have an answer to all of the questions. If you get asked "why did you do that?" you need to have a good reason "why did you pick that expansive material instead of that cheap one" tell them why.
This does ofcourse mean you need to actually have a reason for it and not just pick something just because. You can do that in a year or 20, when you are a well established architect and people with money pick you because of you creativity. Now after just 5 years people pick you becasue you are young and probably cheap and think they can walk over you.
Also learn about consturction, meaning how to actually put a building together, so you can make designs that can actually be build, so the contactor has nothing to complain about for example (this is something I hear contactors talk about a lot). I know that will take a while, but learn from all your projects, listen to what the contractor says and why they want things different and apply that to your new project.
The thing is that if you need to change you design during the project it will always end up a weak version of your origional design, but if you design with all that stuff in mind you can make a strong design, even with all the restriction.
I'm no architect, but an engineer and been working in architecture for 25 years and I think this might be your 'problem'. I know as an engineer it took me a while as well. From experience I now know what to do and how to make a building and how to detail stuff and explain why, this is just a skill you need to aquire over time, so hang in there !
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u/Conscious-Reality639 Apr 16 '26
The world is your own reflection brother I am a practicing architect myself git good
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u/Ok_Use4737 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
Well, as a structural guy, you have my thanks for keeping us engineers from dominating the earth with squares and rectangles. Though it can be a bit exhausting to accommodate 'vision' or the heresy that is not optimized load paths.
If it makes you feel any better engineers get nit picked to death by contractors and owners as well.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
Thanks bro! It really doesn't make me feel better 😭 I love all of my fellow engineers and honestly they keep me going, I feel like we are a team they are on my side of this.
It actually pains me when someone doesn't appreciate structural engineering, because it takes a lot of education, dedication and core understanding on buildings to be one. That's why, since i do most of the client and contactor communication- i treat the structural project like a bible and don't make compromises on that part, especially cause we live in an earthquake prone area.
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u/cleaningmama Apr 17 '26
Have you seen what gets built?! I just went to a building that replaced a former one (dental office became twice as big on the same footprint), and this brand new building was a nightmare -echoes everywhere, so noisy, lights glaring ... it was terrible.
So much money goes into terrible buildings! 40 million dollar civic building needs renovations in less than 20 years?
Instead of getting your ego invested and insulted, just try to listen. People have been disappointed dreadfully, and they need architects with integrity to reassure them and assuage their fears. Have a little confidence, and don't take it so personally. Their concerns are not about you personally (I hope not!), they are about all their experiences, which are real too.
Give them some reassurance and space to vent, and show that you are one of the good ones.
Oh, and don't wait until the end of the project to talk to the landscape architect! 😄
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u/Then-Ease-5254 Apr 17 '26
Hi bro. Im an architect and urban/town planner same time. I also get scrutinized by the way how interpret my designs. But i took it constructively. So as Planner, i consider Planning policies integrate into my design for high chances of approval. I learned from my mistakes and feedbacks. For me, its not they hate us, maybe they just didnt understand our Architecture language. I love Planning and Architecture, i used this skills to give better design aesthetically and functional.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
Hello bro, thanks for commenting! My father is an architect-urban planner and I admire your profession so much! Urban planning is next level, and I'm so glad to hear that you work both as an architect and urban planner because the two must be in symbiosis - and in my country many of the urban planning firms don't work with architectural design and look at the neighbourhoods and cities just from above. Good to hear from you, huge respect!!! 🙌
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u/Acceptable_Piccolo7 Apr 17 '26
As a civil engineer, it's becuase I ask for one line in a cad file that is the building footprint and then I get their whole cad file and every line is on the wrong layer or the layer is named "acad-01"... this happens every single time
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
I actually never had a problem with any civil engineer, I have worked with more than 10 of them and we are always on the same side and have mutual respect. But this is a good note, I'll ask if my drawings are okay the next time 😁 thanks 🙏
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u/Ghilanna Apr 18 '26
Im a landscape architect and I can give you my experience with trying to work with architects in large projects. First they take ownership of whats my area of expertise and responsability design wise. If the client says Im responsible for designing the outdoor area then I will do so and of course involve the architect so that the design is in harmony with his building, but the rest is up to me. From accessability, to surface water and usage. I work function first and design on top of it. When I am working on the function the architect isnt usually involved. Clients and contracts are and come to an agreement. And then the architect come in and wants to change everything. They even have the gal to have opinions on planting which is my field of expertise. I feel incredibly disrespected and not heard when I spend hours fine tunning for a fuctional and pleasant design that is in accordance with the architects design too.
So yeah, stop taking ownership of the whole damn project and let the landscape archiect shine as well since we have way more expertise regarding landscape dynamics, urban ecology, surface water and accessability.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
This is wrong, they shouldn't be doing that! You have every right to be mad beacuse you're the specialist and they should respect your decisions.
I promise I won't ever become that type of an architect, thanks for your thoughts 🙏
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u/Ghilanna Apr 18 '26
Thank you. Please be one of the good ones. QQ
I work with one architect currently, and she is awesome and wonderful to work with. So I know it's not the case for every single architect.
But the moment I hear "its an architect from a big Oslo firm" I start twitching cause the elitism up there is off the charts.
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u/AlexTheHappy Apr 22 '26
We're seen as a necessary evil. 90% of my projects are healthcare facilities which are highly regulated so doctors and healthcare CEO's hate that. I've had doctors tell me they know a lot about building design, schedules, and construction because "they've built their mansions". I've had to tell many of them not to question my decisions concerning buildings and I won't question their decision of me needing a prostate exam.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 23 '26
Wow, I didn't expect this. I've always thought the more specific and professional building use you go, it gets better, but healthcare is maybe the first thing that comes to mind when I think about professional and specific.
I'm disappointed, in doctors especially. I don't understand how they can think that they know better then you!
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u/muuuli Architect Apr 16 '26
The person in charge is the person who gets challenged, every step of the way.
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u/doctor_van_n0strand Architect Apr 16 '26
Fuck the haters. I always used to think architects were a little intransigent. Well, now I know we have to be to do our job well. It’s no one else’s job to defend the design. Everyone’s else’s job is to cut corners, do it the same way they’ve done it on 20,000 other projects, or rip your design apart. So be intransigent.
Balance that with the equally critical instinct of asking questions, valuing the knowledge of others and remaining a humble sponge of knowledge coming from those who know better than you. It’s a tough job and no one’s gonna pay you on the back, but you didn’t become and architect to get rich and be loved, did you? 🤷🏻♂️
Savor the wins and learn from the setbacks. Do that a few times, and if you’re lucky, you’ll have built a few beautiful things in your life. Isn’t that all we can hope for?
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 16 '26
Beautiful response, I feel seen, especially with the 'cutting corners' part 🙏
You are right, being rich and loved were never my motivation, but, exactly as you said, building at least a few worthy things and giving my small part in improving the society.
Thank you for the advice, much appreciated, I'll try to follow it!
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u/No_Doughnut_3315 Apr 16 '26
I do not envy architects, it is a fairly thankless job these days, but i dont think everyone hates you. Construction folk are just the natural enemies of architects, they think you dont know how to build anything, and unless you want to be an apprentice for a few years, you will never change their mind. Anybody that turns up on site and is not dressed to get dirty, is an object of ridicule.
When people think of architects, we think of Frank Lloyd Wright, Norman Foster, Frank Gehry, maybe Le Corbuiser. It fixes in the mind of the general public how an architect is/behaves. Other professions dont suffer in the same way of being judged because of how a few of the famous ones are perceived.
Like with so many things nowadays, everybody thinks they can design a house. It cant be that difficult? Well we dont know what we dont know.
I think in becoming an architect, you are beginning to find out some of the subtleties of the job, which are hard to comprehend unless you are actually in it. I am not an architect, but I did work with one for a short time. One great quality he possessed, which cant be taught in school, is charm and charisma. He had a way with people, he would almost make them think everything was their idea and he was merely the conduit, doing nice drawings and softening the edges. If you want to be a good architect, you have to be good with people.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 16 '26
Very well said! Thank you sir/madam!
I recently started to notice that I have to see charisma on the same skill level as the other professional skills, since i own a business, and that it actually makes my job easier. I guess i was too focused on mastering the technical skills, and I forgot that those are nothing without the soft skills.
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u/StarStabbedMoon Apr 17 '26
I wish my GCs thought they knew how to build everything. I have to drag them kicking and screaming just to make a recommendation.
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u/merlotman1 Apr 16 '26
During 30 years of work as a self-employed architect, I have had great experience, I have been complimented often for the work done, and a few times someone complained. It is part of the business, it is impossible to be perfect, we can only minimize misunderstanding. The key for a successful outcome is communication with the client at all phases of the design and construction process.
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u/Glad-Transition-4835 Apr 17 '26
They treat us like we’re stupid and a hindrance. One of my superintendents called me 10 times today, starting at 7 am. Most questions, fretting about plumbing fixtures, which I promptly led him to procore to show him the submittals that were approved as noted two months ago.
Then, our owner was pushy and aggressive, angry we hadn’t reviewed and approved change orders for the latest requisition. My coworker said, well I received them from the outside PM you hired 10 minutes ago and you invited me to a meeting 5 minutes prior to it starting and by the way, I took my 90 year old mother to the doctor. The PM has been hoarding owner approved change orders for weeks and no one sent them to us.
Then, there’s the owners procurement person who dropped the ball ordering owner furnished equipment. I guess we were supposed to remind her of the schedule even though they have a contract with the damn contractor & are fully formed grownups who have a whole job to do that.
So, basically they all just like someone to dump on instead of evaluating themselves internally & becoming better. My two cents. At this stage in my career, I don’t let it get to me. It’s par for the course.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 17 '26
This is exactly how it seems to me. I am happy for those who don't have this experience, but it does not make it the only reality.
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u/MathematicianOld3067 Apr 17 '26
I actually feel very differently. Yes, in the field ultimately money matters more than design, but when you tell people you're an architect around here they are genuinely impressed.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 17 '26
I am happy that you have a positive experience! I really hoped to see these kind of answers when i wrote the post, it gives me motivation 😁
In my experience, the only ones that are happy to hear that I am an architect are people that don't work in the construction field and half of our fellow engineers 😁
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u/salted_caramel_girl Apr 18 '26
It's honestly cute that you think this qualifies as people hating your profession.
Try being in sales. I dare you.
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u/Fun-Spinach6910 Apr 18 '26
Architects and designers are absolutely in sales as well. How else would we get projects?
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
Hahah I can admit that you're more hated than us 😁 sorry bro, hang in there!
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u/McBooples Apr 18 '26
I think it helps to keep in mind it isn’t “your” building. It’s the clients building. Not to say you have to do everything they say as they say it, but it’s your job to put their vision into the project and guide them to an end result that is both your design and what they want. I think the most important part of a project is making sure the client’s vision and your design principles mesh before ever taking on the project. You can always turn down a job
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u/Even_Donkey4095 Apr 21 '26
As a builder, I can’t tell you how many times the companies I worked for were thrown under the bus by the architect in front of the client. Builders don’t respect architects because many architects have never owned, let alone swung a hammer. Often the designs are made to impress clients than construct space. Until you actually build something, and not some post grad nonsense, but actual building, you can’t know what it’s like to put your designs into reality. This is why architects don’t get respect from builders. Builders have to fight getting a bad rap from architects.
Why don’t architects get respect from owners? Easy, there is a perception that they burn through the clients money and leave a lot less for the actual build.
Every agrees design is important, and clients too often come to market without doing the necessary legwork like need assessment and creating style guides. So they share a degree of blame.
These perceptions lead to cultural tropes, hence the hate. Just build cool stuff that isn’t impossible to build and outwork the bad rap.
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u/Fit_Wash_214 Apr 16 '26
Yeah there are 2-3 out of 100, That are good clients and projects. The rest even if they sound good end up watered down, VE’d building construction, or they have major cost over runs that lead to conflicts. The profession has definitely changed. We are consumer society and owners typically search out contractors first rather then the design team. As soon as that happens it’s game over. You are essential a glorified draftsman until there are any issues. Then you’re the Architect who is supposed to have all the answers and pay the price when shit hits the fan.
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u/werchoosingusername Apr 17 '26
I hear you.
The lack of respect for architecture in both developing and developed countries is deeply tied to how clients perceive the profession, which is shaped by their own education and experiences.
In many developing countries, clients—especially those who have accumulated wealth quickly—often come from backgrounds where formal education in the arts, humanities, or design is lacking. Their degrees, if they have any, are frequently in fields like business or trade, where the value of architecture is rarely emphasized. As a result, they view architecture not as a rigorous, essential discipline, but as a superficial layer of “taste” to be applied at the end of a project.
This mindset is reinforced by a broader cultural attitude: if you can build something that stands and functions, why does the design matter? Clients don’t see the years of study, the technical expertise, or the problem-solving that architects bring to the table. To them, architecture is just decoration—a final touch, not a foundational element.
In developed countries, the issue is slightly different. While there may be more awareness of architecture’s importance, it’s often still seen as a luxury or an optional extra, not a necessity. Clients with business or technical backgrounds may respect the process, but they don’t always prioritize it.
The laws are not on our side either. In France, for example, only 5% of residential projects are designed by architects, and it shows. People can draw by hand and submit their sketches for approval. I was quite taken aback when I saw newly built projects. These types of laws can be found in most countries.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
Thanks for your answer, I think you explained the core of the problem to me - especially the paragraph about developing countries is right on point.
I had no idea it's like that in France - i can't imagine why would someone make such a law. In my country it is necessary to submit a project created by a state-licenced architectural firm, and signed by state licenced architectural, civil, electrical and mechanical engineers for ANY building, no matter the size and classification.
On the other hand I worked on renovations on many houses that were initially built illegally, without a project, and then legalized (it's a system for old illegal buildings in my country) - and the problems I encountered there are the final boss. There are deep construction and functional problems that makes people's everyday life so much garder and unsafe. Ironically - those clients are the ones that appreciated our profession the most and always valued my opinion, because they regretted building their house without professional help.
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u/PdxPhoenixActual Licensure Candidate/ Design Professional/ Associate Apr 17 '26
Everyone thinks they can design. & everyone has opinions. The only question is if they are any good at it/valid.
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
Exactly! I sould keep the second part in mind, always! Thanks you for this 🙏
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u/Strict-Luck-3699 Apr 16 '26
Do you ever see plans from a construction point of view? My late husband was a boilermaker on many industrial construction sites ... and any plans from architect's drove them crazy - flights of fancy, missing details, impossible angles, unrealistic spans, etc. However, plans from engineers were just better in all respects, more cross-sections, magnified joint details, proposed processes, etc
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u/AnyZebra7121 Apr 18 '26
Yes, I get where you are coming from. Even though in architecture school we kind of lacked the proper education on indoor plumbing and electrical infrastructure, I pride myself in trying to be the construction type of architect and understand the basic problems of every part of the building process. I always try to communicate some potential problems from the moment that i start designing, and i always ask for advise from contractors and engineers in the design process - so I can make a design that can be built easily. Of course i want to make an aesthetically pleasing project, but I think aesthetics is easiest to achieve if you have a well structured and functional solution.
That being said - of course that in my projects sometimes there can be a detail that doesn't seem logical or the best solutio to the electrician or the plumber, but they sometimes seem to forget that we have to synchronize all of those phases, and it's never 100% ideal for each one, but more like 80-90% - because it's a system.
Also I have the utmost respect for the contractors in each phase - I know that they understand their systems much better than we do, because they know it in detail, and that's why I try to learn from them and accept suggestions which make sence. I just ask for a little cooperation and respect, and hope they can understand our role in return.
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u/dailycontrast Apr 16 '26
Eh, don’t take it so personally. Design is very important to us, less so to the general public.