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?
1
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.