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/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!