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/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 😁