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.
Monday, May 23, 2011
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.
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