Sunday, September 25, 2011
It's been a long time coming....
Friday, September 16, 2011
All the Economic Uncertainty and yet, a Strange Optimism
It's nearing the Fall of 2011 and our "september rush" was met with mixed success. My definition of the "september rush" is one where clients start coming in due to kids going off to school, the winter coming on and the pressing need to get something going before next spring. This year it has begun to pick up. With all the turmoil of the world financial markets, the trashing of retirement accounts and the never-ending recessionary attitude many are just tired of being depressed. Get out, do something and accomplish that project you wanted to do but were just to hesitant to start.
My office has nearly always kept enough hands in enough cookie jars to make sure we are not completely dead or broke (for long). The only time we ever were at the brink was the winter of 2008 when all our projects ended and no new ones came in due to the Recession. That was quite the cold and quiet time until about mid-summer of 2009.
This Fall is seeing a mix of commercial and private projects and we are glad to have them. I'd rather be paid well and have less projects than have a large number of fee-poor projects that lamentably are nothing much more than "brush fires" that need constant attention to keep going.
With the world economic situation you would think everyone is running for cover and not spending any time thinking or working with Architects. Not the case. Instead, we have seen clients that just are tired of waiting and understand that while the world is a crazy place it is by no means a way to run one's life by and everything does have a way of working itself out in the end. Sanity, stability and growth do return and will do so once everyone starts focusing on what is good instead of what is bad and wrong.
Good luck to all and keep moving forwards!
My office has nearly always kept enough hands in enough cookie jars to make sure we are not completely dead or broke (for long). The only time we ever were at the brink was the winter of 2008 when all our projects ended and no new ones came in due to the Recession. That was quite the cold and quiet time until about mid-summer of 2009.
This Fall is seeing a mix of commercial and private projects and we are glad to have them. I'd rather be paid well and have less projects than have a large number of fee-poor projects that lamentably are nothing much more than "brush fires" that need constant attention to keep going.
With the world economic situation you would think everyone is running for cover and not spending any time thinking or working with Architects. Not the case. Instead, we have seen clients that just are tired of waiting and understand that while the world is a crazy place it is by no means a way to run one's life by and everything does have a way of working itself out in the end. Sanity, stability and growth do return and will do so once everyone starts focusing on what is good instead of what is bad and wrong.
Good luck to all and keep moving forwards!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Everyone has lost their minds, except for me...
This has certainly been a challenging summer. The big challenge has been the planning and zoning meetings and maneuvering through those towns/ villages that are now playing catch up with all the new environmental and zoning changes. There's nothing like a rapid rise in property values and out-of-state owners to jump start the process. I just think that many places just aren't up to snuff to handle the change.
The problem is that I have clients who get caught up in the process and suffer from the lack of understanding that these towns just don't want to address. Namely, the common sense factor. Stop the bureaucratic crap and see the forest for the trees and ACT! Tabling motions, postponing decisions, etc. really just add to the frustration.
It's a big race to either get ahead of what may happen with these boards and their possible delays or fight what is really just a large step towards inhibiting an owner's ability to use their property by delay tactics and procedural technicalities that mean nothing in the end.
The problem is that I have clients who get caught up in the process and suffer from the lack of understanding that these towns just don't want to address. Namely, the common sense factor. Stop the bureaucratic crap and see the forest for the trees and ACT! Tabling motions, postponing decisions, etc. really just add to the frustration.
It's a big race to either get ahead of what may happen with these boards and their possible delays or fight what is really just a large step towards inhibiting an owner's ability to use their property by delay tactics and procedural technicalities that mean nothing in the end.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Continuing the Re-Build.... in many ways.
This year has certainly been a challenging one. Not as bad as some of the past ones with all the interference of profit-seeking sales types, litigious persons and such. In some ways, it's been an awakening of what to avoid and what to get right when moving forward.
Adversity builds character.
Adversity builds character.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Offering honest advice: the client reaction
There certainly is nothing like bearing ones' soul and being honest with how you perceive a project is going. The reaction a client has to their Architect offering advice can run the entire DSM 4 (that's a reference manual for mental illness, so you know). Many clients take it for what it was offered and appreciate the advice, some react a bit differently...
No matter how old I get I at least will have comfort that I am just a young, uninformed and naive architect who cannot fathom the depths of my clients. Forget that in those cases the client takes offense where there was none and offers their offensive response. You can take it personally or just file it as a life lesson and move ever forwards.
One particular client who displayed borderline violent behavior towards his wife at each meeting was shocked and felt compelled to "put me in my place" by assuming the parental role in regards to my services. That might fly at home but it sure isn't going to at the office. I was nice, I was polite. The mark of a better person is to know it isn't about being "right" or being "on top". When this happens I find it disappointing because the client either didn't get it or didn't want to get it.
In the end, some clients listen, some don't. Each reaps the results of their choices.
No matter how old I get I at least will have comfort that I am just a young, uninformed and naive architect who cannot fathom the depths of my clients. Forget that in those cases the client takes offense where there was none and offers their offensive response. You can take it personally or just file it as a life lesson and move ever forwards.
One particular client who displayed borderline violent behavior towards his wife at each meeting was shocked and felt compelled to "put me in my place" by assuming the parental role in regards to my services. That might fly at home but it sure isn't going to at the office. I was nice, I was polite. The mark of a better person is to know it isn't about being "right" or being "on top". When this happens I find it disappointing because the client either didn't get it or didn't want to get it.
In the end, some clients listen, some don't. Each reaps the results of their choices.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Challenge of Keeping it Simple. Needs, Haves, and Wants.
Every once in a while there is a project that falls into the wrong category and things go terribly wrong. Not that the building fell down or something else went wrong on the job, it's more of a perception issue.
What do I mean by that? Well, think of it this way -- each of us has things in life that can be filed under "need to, have to and want to". When you put something in the wrong category, in this case a "want to" that gets pushed over into the "have to" slot you get nothing but conflict and trouble. If you truly understand this, the "need to" list is very short and almost nothing but the critical, life sustaining things are filed under "need to".
What the fung shuei am I talking about? Most of my clients come to me because they "want to" do something. Be it a renovation, addition, new build, you name it and it's normally driven by the client's "wants" not by a need or "have to" obligation (in law apartments fall into the "have to" and I'll talk more about that because you should avoid them at all costs.). A client "wants" to add a master suite. Another wants to build a new house on the lake. Yet another "wants to" open that bistro they have been dreaming about.
As an Architect part of what you do is help that "want to" list become reality. You are an enabler in many senses of the word. Designer, counselor, confidant, devil's advocate, defender are just some of the things an Architect does for a client (and should "want to" as well. That's part of the enjoyment and drive to be an Architect, right?).
I caution Architects and clients alike: when the want is turned into a have to the project is in trouble, real trouble. Any client that feels forced to do a project is just going to get stressed out and that is a self-perpetuating nightmare that at the very least can lead to canceled project or worse-- legal action. It never needs to go there because of this problem, you need to recognize the symptoms and deal with them.
Most situations turn due to the impending and/or imagined deadline to start is looming near. This is termed in our office as "ground-breaking anxiety". The client has had fun playing and pipe-dreaming only to realize that the time is near where they really will be committing to a project and spending a large sum of money. Suddenly small details become critical to the absolute success of the project and you are just not responding fast and well enough to concerns.
Another symptom is the "moving target syndrome" where a client can never decide or stick with a decision, ever. Why? Because they haven't really been honest with what they really want. The Architect will notice that whatever they do is just not right, needs endless tweaking and can eventually lead to you being blamed for delays.
Other symptoms include the "going nowhere fast", "bi-polar", and more. The main idea here is that in just about every situation it's caused by that "want to" being turned into a "have to". The fun, enjoyment, excitement goes out and is replaced by anxiety, dread, anger, agony when this happens.
Be on the watch for this and address the situation as directly as possible. It will save both your and the client's sanity and may just recharge the enjoyment in the project.
As for the in-law apartments, a word of caution. Nearly everyone we have been asked to do winds up with the untimely passing of that in-law. It's happened about four times to our firm so far. Maybe it's due to the in-law not really wanting it, but feeling that they "have to". Just a theory.
What do I mean by that? Well, think of it this way -- each of us has things in life that can be filed under "need to, have to and want to". When you put something in the wrong category, in this case a "want to" that gets pushed over into the "have to" slot you get nothing but conflict and trouble. If you truly understand this, the "need to" list is very short and almost nothing but the critical, life sustaining things are filed under "need to".
What the fung shuei am I talking about? Most of my clients come to me because they "want to" do something. Be it a renovation, addition, new build, you name it and it's normally driven by the client's "wants" not by a need or "have to" obligation (in law apartments fall into the "have to" and I'll talk more about that because you should avoid them at all costs.). A client "wants" to add a master suite. Another wants to build a new house on the lake. Yet another "wants to" open that bistro they have been dreaming about.
As an Architect part of what you do is help that "want to" list become reality. You are an enabler in many senses of the word. Designer, counselor, confidant, devil's advocate, defender are just some of the things an Architect does for a client (and should "want to" as well. That's part of the enjoyment and drive to be an Architect, right?).
I caution Architects and clients alike: when the want is turned into a have to the project is in trouble, real trouble. Any client that feels forced to do a project is just going to get stressed out and that is a self-perpetuating nightmare that at the very least can lead to canceled project or worse-- legal action. It never needs to go there because of this problem, you need to recognize the symptoms and deal with them.
Most situations turn due to the impending and/or imagined deadline to start is looming near. This is termed in our office as "ground-breaking anxiety". The client has had fun playing and pipe-dreaming only to realize that the time is near where they really will be committing to a project and spending a large sum of money. Suddenly small details become critical to the absolute success of the project and you are just not responding fast and well enough to concerns.
Another symptom is the "moving target syndrome" where a client can never decide or stick with a decision, ever. Why? Because they haven't really been honest with what they really want. The Architect will notice that whatever they do is just not right, needs endless tweaking and can eventually lead to you being blamed for delays.
Other symptoms include the "going nowhere fast", "bi-polar", and more. The main idea here is that in just about every situation it's caused by that "want to" being turned into a "have to". The fun, enjoyment, excitement goes out and is replaced by anxiety, dread, anger, agony when this happens.
Be on the watch for this and address the situation as directly as possible. It will save both your and the client's sanity and may just recharge the enjoyment in the project.
As for the in-law apartments, a word of caution. Nearly everyone we have been asked to do winds up with the untimely passing of that in-law. It's happened about four times to our firm so far. Maybe it's due to the in-law not really wanting it, but feeling that they "have to". Just a theory.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Your Client is out of control. What do you do???
Oh, the occasional client with "baggage" returns to complete their project and all hell breaks lose. The hell-breaking is due to just not rolling over and enabling the clients' perspective of what is going on (Denile aint just a river in Egypt!).
I do not mean to make light of this situation. I have a client this is truly and deeply on his last nerve. This is what I see as the situation. As the Architect, counselor, target, etc. I see this as another situation where a client has moved their project from the "Want to" column to the "Need to" or "Have to" column.
Let me explain and be ready to put your philosophical hats on here! Life has a great deal of triads, trinities, whatever you wish to call them. Mind, Heart, Body. Birth, Life, Death. Father, Son, Holy Spirit if you want to go that far.
In this case you have the "needs, haves, and wants". You need to breathe, eat and sleep. That list is VERY short and should be. You have to pay taxes, work to pay the bills, and all the obligations you set for yourself in life. You want to restore that classic car, take a cruise, sculpt, paint, build that addition you planned for.... You see my point???
We all run into trouble when we force things into another category. We all do it and it's the root of many of our problems. If you make your "wants" into a "need" or "have" you are just asking for trouble.
Keep a solid perspective. Remind yourself that this is not as important or critical as you may have convinced yourself. ALWAYS ask yourself the question: "what if I just didn't do it or said no?".
As Architects, we provide more than just floor plans. We should be helping each client avoid those poor-choices we have witnessed time and time again. We are often our own worst enemy and it's our job to help clients realize that.
I do not mean to make light of this situation. I have a client this is truly and deeply on his last nerve. This is what I see as the situation. As the Architect, counselor, target, etc. I see this as another situation where a client has moved their project from the "Want to" column to the "Need to" or "Have to" column.
Let me explain and be ready to put your philosophical hats on here! Life has a great deal of triads, trinities, whatever you wish to call them. Mind, Heart, Body. Birth, Life, Death. Father, Son, Holy Spirit if you want to go that far.
In this case you have the "needs, haves, and wants". You need to breathe, eat and sleep. That list is VERY short and should be. You have to pay taxes, work to pay the bills, and all the obligations you set for yourself in life. You want to restore that classic car, take a cruise, sculpt, paint, build that addition you planned for.... You see my point???
We all run into trouble when we force things into another category. We all do it and it's the root of many of our problems. If you make your "wants" into a "need" or "have" you are just asking for trouble.
Keep a solid perspective. Remind yourself that this is not as important or critical as you may have convinced yourself. ALWAYS ask yourself the question: "what if I just didn't do it or said no?".
As Architects, we provide more than just floor plans. We should be helping each client avoid those poor-choices we have witnessed time and time again. We are often our own worst enemy and it's our job to help clients realize that.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Getting Past the Past and Rebuilding....
It's been a while since my last visit. LinkedIn has been a great way to connect with other like-minded Architects. I have noticed an increase in client leads since February and I hope that the trend continues.
The past for me has been one of a constant struggle to keep just about a dozen balls in the air at the same time: business, family, marriage (yes, they are different! More later.) and finances operating. My wife has been the most patient person (okay, she has fired several rounds over my bow to let me know I'm not doing what I need to do) with the last, what? 8 years of my practice? It's not easy to stay in a place that doesn't have the best social network, schools, etc and have to struggle to pay the bills constantly.
Each and every time the "big job" is about to come through, we see it slip another 6, 9, 24 months down the road if not just falling out. If it weren't for BOTH of our stubbornness, we would have quit a long time ago. How many times are you knocked down, only to get back up to keep going?
This recession has really put many things to the test. Since late 2008 we have seen a major shift in workload and potential projects. Despite this challenge we have also managed to stay afloat, tighten our belts and keep going.
Work wiser. Learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Boy, I hope that's true!
The past for me has been one of a constant struggle to keep just about a dozen balls in the air at the same time: business, family, marriage (yes, they are different! More later.) and finances operating. My wife has been the most patient person (okay, she has fired several rounds over my bow to let me know I'm not doing what I need to do) with the last, what? 8 years of my practice? It's not easy to stay in a place that doesn't have the best social network, schools, etc and have to struggle to pay the bills constantly.
Each and every time the "big job" is about to come through, we see it slip another 6, 9, 24 months down the road if not just falling out. If it weren't for BOTH of our stubbornness, we would have quit a long time ago. How many times are you knocked down, only to get back up to keep going?
This recession has really put many things to the test. Since late 2008 we have seen a major shift in workload and potential projects. Despite this challenge we have also managed to stay afloat, tighten our belts and keep going.
Work wiser. Learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Boy, I hope that's true!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The days are getting brighter....
It appears that everyone is getting tired of being unsure, negative and just plain pessimistic about the economy and life in general. May this be the Spring of Comebacks? I and many of my colleagues certainly hope so. Over the past couple of weeks we have seen an uptick in client calls and leads. My office is certainly grateful to see the increase and confident that this year will be the break out year for us.
Looking back into the past, I have witnessed many downturns that have lasted nine months or so. These "recessions" or economic dips have lasted about 3 seasons with a correction happening for about 2-3 years. This dip has been going on since the Summer of 2008 with the $4/gallon gas and real estate and bank meltdown.
It's difficult to see the improvement when you're in the hole. As with past downturns, everybody wondered if it would be better. It will, you just need to learn from the lessons.
Looking back into the past, I have witnessed many downturns that have lasted nine months or so. These "recessions" or economic dips have lasted about 3 seasons with a correction happening for about 2-3 years. This dip has been going on since the Summer of 2008 with the $4/gallon gas and real estate and bank meltdown.
It's difficult to see the improvement when you're in the hole. As with past downturns, everybody wondered if it would be better. It will, you just need to learn from the lessons.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Nothing like Starting a New Year completely broke...
After years of living on the financial edge, my wife and I finally decided to buckle down, pull up on the bootstraps, pinch the pennies, and every other slang term for becoming financially intelligent. To put this in perspective, imagine having one income for the past 10 years while having 4 kids, renovating an office building, renovating a house (while renting another one) and going through all the trials and tribulations of owning an architecture practice.
My wife has managed to acquire the skills of a coupon/sale ninja and between her efforts and my reorganization we have accomplished the unheard of feat of not ordering pizza or Chinese food for over 3 weeks! I bet that alone has saved thousands!
The architectural profession is always a series of ups and downs. You may land that big contract and sometimes that "big fish" just sits outside your reach, picking at the bait for months. My office has it's hand in many cookie jars, so it's not too desperate but we've had our moments.
This downcycle is the longest I've seen. Two years and counting. I tell people that 9 months is the usual cycle for dips in workload. The largest challenge right now for project start up's is the financing. Banks either make clients jump through more hoops or they (the banks) just don't want to loan at such a low rate.
Indications appear to show an upswing for this year. Maybe we will all see a positive Summer of 2011...
My wife has managed to acquire the skills of a coupon/sale ninja and between her efforts and my reorganization we have accomplished the unheard of feat of not ordering pizza or Chinese food for over 3 weeks! I bet that alone has saved thousands!
The architectural profession is always a series of ups and downs. You may land that big contract and sometimes that "big fish" just sits outside your reach, picking at the bait for months. My office has it's hand in many cookie jars, so it's not too desperate but we've had our moments.
This downcycle is the longest I've seen. Two years and counting. I tell people that 9 months is the usual cycle for dips in workload. The largest challenge right now for project start up's is the financing. Banks either make clients jump through more hoops or they (the banks) just don't want to loan at such a low rate.
Indications appear to show an upswing for this year. Maybe we will all see a positive Summer of 2011...
Getting feedback on Linkedin
I've been posting on LinkedIn for the Architect group and am getting some good feedback on questions I've posted there. One of them is, "what would you do if you couldn't be an architect anymore" premise. The site is a professional networking site that helps you connect on a level different than FaceBook or other sites.
What would I do? It's a toss up on what I would do to be happy or what to do to earn a decent income for the family. When the going gets rough, I realize that my options can't beat doing what I am doing right now. I'm my own boss (and he's a big jerk!) and I make my own schedule (23 hours is fair). I guess I could earn more, but it would come at a cost of an hour + commute, being beholden to someone else, and staying employed at the whim of someone else.
It think I'll stick with the devil I know, for now...
If you are a member of LinkedIn, please check out the ARCHITECT group and look at the comments on the discussions.
What would I do? It's a toss up on what I would do to be happy or what to do to earn a decent income for the family. When the going gets rough, I realize that my options can't beat doing what I am doing right now. I'm my own boss (and he's a big jerk!) and I make my own schedule (23 hours is fair). I guess I could earn more, but it would come at a cost of an hour + commute, being beholden to someone else, and staying employed at the whim of someone else.
It think I'll stick with the devil I know, for now...
If you are a member of LinkedIn, please check out the ARCHITECT group and look at the comments on the discussions.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Getting into an office
I spent about a year at the house on Oak Street with an office in Richard's future bedroom. With him on the way, it was time to move forward with renovations at our current studio space. It was a big financial commitment and still is, however it is part of a longer-term plan to develop the practice and have a place for clients to visit and grow the business.The idea was to have enough space to expand, adapt and be able to do things that I couldn't do before. No more climbing over someone else to get to my drafting table.
The studio is housed in a building bought from the City for back taxes. The first comment made to me was to just "clean up the first floor" and open my office. Have you seen the place?? I wouldn't bring my worst enemy in the door looking like it was. No, the client must see an example of what could be done. So began the renovations. There are times I still cannot believe what has been accomplished. A complete gutting of a ruined 3-story building and reconstruction of our studio space.
Here is what it was on the first floor during demolition. A dark hole. Now we have a bright space for clients to visit and enjoy.As always it is a work in progress.
Friday, January 21, 2011
the backstory
In 1996 my wife and I bought a fixer-upper in Long Island, we spent 3 years making that house a home and in the end we wound up moving to UPState NY to continue our lives. Little did we know where we would wind up!Well, my firm was started in 2001 when I obtained my license to practice architecture. My family was renting a house in Geneva after finally selling our home in Sodus Point (our #2 fixer-upper!). The world had changed. 9/11 had happened and just about everything took a break, including my job as a design manager of a local timber frame company. 
I had been working towards my license, moving from Long Island back to UPState NY. Between working, studying and just trying to juggle all the things life throws at you the idea of working for myself really took off after losing my manager position and working for another architect (who turned out to be a total basket case and unlicensed to boot!) 90 miles from home. That's it. If I have to deal with this I might as well just work for myself!
If you want something, sometimes you get it. What you want and what you get are, at times, not exactly what you expected but you work with it and keep moving towards your goal.
If you want something, sometimes you get it. What you want and what you get are, at times, not exactly what you expected but you work with it and keep moving towards your goal.
In this blog, I'll be bouncing back and forth between what I am doing now and recollecting what I have done over the past 10 years. I can't believe it's been that long, but the calendar doesn't lie. 700 projects, 4 children, and 1 very strong wife have all been part of the journey. I hope that you'll enjoy what I share here and at least take away some small valuable seed that will grow and help your experience in life, work and family.
Thanks for reading and viewing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)