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.
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