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Rebeca Chavarria – Perspectives – Architect’s REAL Viewpoint

What Are The Client/Owner Trends Now?

By Rebeca Chavarria

The architecture industry has inevitably developed through the years, from technology to building materials. However, there is one aspect that has also evolved that may not be as obvious, but just as important within the industry, and that is the client-architect relationship. The term relationship is used because projects can range from months to years of communication, so the architect and clients typically get to know each other well.

Potential clients looking to remodel or build a new structure are looking for architects that go beyond the normal customer service requirements. The investment is both financial and personal so it is crucial that there is understanding between the two parties.

To the client, the architect’s role is no longer as a vendor, but a partner that will understand and pursue their unique requirements within the allowable standards of the many building codes. This role as partner involves a number of give-and-take scenarios for both sides. Looking at the big picture, the client must trust that the architect will produce documents that both meet the program as well as fit within the agreed budget. In detail, the client must trust the architect’s experience and knowledge when looking to resolve an issue. On the flip side, the architect must trust the client’s vision, because at the end of the day, that is the ultimate goal.

Although every case is different, clients look for innovation, creativity, and best practices to be used. Within contemporary architecture, for example, there are certain characteristics that can be seen in many projects that define the style, such as materials, colors, window sizes and placement. However, clients look to the ingenuity of the architect so that their structure is one of a kind. Part of the innovation recently is the use of Building Information Modeling, or BIM, to model projects in 3D. This has been a revolutionary step in bridging the visual gap between owner and architect because it allows the client to see spaces in a medium they can understand better, which usually creates more client involvement and excitement along the way.

In order to have a successful project come to life, a “dream team” combination between the architect and contractor is essential. The architect must place his or her liaison cap on to ensure that the flow of information from client to contractor runs smoothly. Even the best run projects come across some difficulties along the way, it is the nature of construction, but it goes without saying that clients look to the architect and the rest of the team to come up with efficient solutions to avoid panic and further complications.

As it was touched on briefly before, the architect is more than a just a designer. There are countless roles to play and responsibilities to manage for all parties involved. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that pre-consultations occur to ensure both the client and architect are a good fit for each other. Time, patience, communication, and trust go a long way to create magnificent architecture.

Rebeca Chavarria [1]Rebeca Chavarria was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She is a 2013 graduate of the University of Miami, where she received her Bachelors of Architecture degree. Moving to Sarasota with her fiancé in 2014, she now works at Lunardi Architecture pursuing her licensure as a registered architect. She enjoys dancing, photography and spending time with family. Rebeca’s contact information is Rebeca@Lunardi.com [2]; (941) 928-6953 or visit the company web site at www.LunardiArch.com [3].

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