The future of the architecture profession
– Donnelly Brandon
Architecture schools need to teach more about business and making money.
There would still need to be an ‘architect of record’, whose name would appear on the building permit and who would ultimately end up shouldering the liability for the design.
You see, a bifurcation has happened even within the architecture profession itself. You have ‘design architects’ who may or may not be licensed, but do a lot of the fun design work upfront for a project. And you have production oriented firms that actually produce the technical drawings needed for construction. The fees are generally higher in the latter case (unless maybe you’re an art architect), but the work is less creative.
What is the future of architecture as a profession?
– Hill Brian L. (October 14, 2013)
The overall role of architects has been greatly reduced. Traditional services that architects rarely provide now are project management, contract administration and cost control.
As more of the detailed design services are provided by supply chain, the role of the architect is further diminished. I have seen many projects where the architect’s work involved little more than CAD drawings showing floor plans, elevations, section drawings and mostly boiler-plate specifications. In addition, contractors, engineers, project management professionals, energy efficiency consultants, owners, representatives and others have taken on expanded roles in the construction field.
What Happened?
I suspect that some of the problems have to do with the failure of the architectural profession, in general, to properly meet the needs of clients and to adapt to changing environments.
Architects used to be the main representative of the owner’s interests on construction projects. Other professionals have stepped in to provide those services more efficiently and with less hassles than architects.
Technology has impacted the role of architects as well. Specialised tools for project management, scheduling, cost reconciliation, etc., have become more integral to larger projects. Most architecture firms do not place a priority on use of these tools, in my experience.
Another factor that I have seen impact the role of the architect is arrogance. More than almost any other profession in the construction industry, architects tend to hold fast to romantic or idealised views of their role. There is a reluctance to relinquish the creative and artistic side to the increased need for the technical and more pragmatic side of the practice.
Reproduced by permission of Brian Hill
Brian Hill copyright (c) 2012, BL Hill Inc., What is the future of architecture as a profession
Our perspective
Being good with sketching and drawing or being interested in landscape and building designs is not good enough reasons to become an architect. The ‘business side’ of the profession must be well understood; for instance there are two primary roles architects perform – ‘designing/interior decoration/landscaping’ and being the ‘architect of record’.
It is not publicly known that for an architect, the business side is not very attractive, compared to similar other professions. The ‘last instalment of fees’ is always elusive for architects, many clients normally find excuses to withhold 10-30% of fees and eventually not pay up.
Further, much like lawyers and doctors, there is years of apprenticeship to be done under senior architects to gain experience and recognition necessary to be an independent professional.
It is also not public that, as architects, one has to give up the dreams of creating/leading large organisations of professionals; architectural firms are never too big.
Of course, technology will play an increasingly bigger role and ‘non-architects’ will also gain importance as the design work becomes more important in the times of 3D printers or pre-fab buildings. And technology is increasing global reach of services and increasing the ‘stock design’ options and reducing the need for tailored designs.
Architecture, as we know it, has changed irreparably in the past decade, but those who know how to adapt just might find themselves in a far better place in a few years. Then there are ‘greener norms ‘and new building materials. Housing is also getting more compact and hi-tech.
One should seek to be an architect only if one is ready to be an entrepreneur and has passion for research, travel, reading, conversations, fairly comfortable with technological tools and developments, ready to forge partnerships, etc.
Gazing through the crystal ball
- Understand the new role of architects with respect to buildings and the ecosystem.
- Architects will need to offer end to end solutions by proactively forging partnerships with other professionals.
- Architecture will entail far more creativity than before; standard templates of design will not work.
- The proportion of ‘town planning’ and ‘interiors’ will occupy the biggest proportion of work.
- The demand for green buildings that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition will increase manifold and will demand knowledge and expertise beyond architecture.
- Interestingly, there would be more globalisation of specialised architectural firms, such as architects dedicated to schools, restaurants, spas, community spaces, religious places.
