An Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Discover the three most important things you need to know about before working with an architect
As part of our new expert series, we ask one of Singapore’s top architects, Aamer Taher of Aamer Architects, to share the three things he wishes clients knew before they started working with an architect. Taher includes an important extra tip too.
Photo by Sanjay Kewlani
“More precisely, cheap will not be fast and good. Spend wisely by spending slightly more and engaging a good architect/designer/consultant and, very importantly, spend on a good contractor/builder.”
“More precisely, cheap will not be fast and good. Spend wisely by spending slightly more and engaging a good architect/designer/consultant and, very importantly, spend on a good contractor/builder.”
Photo by Skewedeye by Sanjay
2. Take time to gain time
If you spend more time at the beginning of your building process, you will have much fewer problems in the later stages, and you might just get your build finished on time, Taher advises.
“A bit more time taken at the beginning of the process to get the design right will, most of the time, result in an easier, smoother, speedier, more efficient and cost effective and happier building process, with a better product as [the end] result,” he says.
2. Take time to gain time
If you spend more time at the beginning of your building process, you will have much fewer problems in the later stages, and you might just get your build finished on time, Taher advises.
“A bit more time taken at the beginning of the process to get the design right will, most of the time, result in an easier, smoother, speedier, more efficient and cost effective and happier building process, with a better product as [the end] result,” he says.
Photo by Sanjay Kewlani
3. Beware the Internet of experts and things
“The vast array of instantly available information and opinions on almost everything sometimes seems to make a client [feel] artificially wiser,” says Taher.
3. Beware the Internet of experts and things
“The vast array of instantly available information and opinions on almost everything sometimes seems to make a client [feel] artificially wiser,” says Taher.
Photo by Skewedeye by Sanjay
“This results in near endless discussions, multiple arguments – yes but, no but, yes, but, yes, no, but yes – heaps of correspondence, many alternatives being investigated, multiple meetings about the same thing and then to discover that the architect or professional was indeed mostly correct in his assessment or advice the first time around,” the architect explains.
“This results in near endless discussions, multiple arguments – yes but, no but, yes, but, yes, no, but yes – heaps of correspondence, many alternatives being investigated, multiple meetings about the same thing and then to discover that the architect or professional was indeed mostly correct in his assessment or advice the first time around,” the architect explains.
Photo by Sanjay Kewlani
As for how you should be able to judge if your architect is ‘good’ or not? “Well, look at his portfolio or previous works, publications and the like; [and] try to check out his reputation and integrity,” Taher replies.
“All these things will add up so you can be convinced that he is indeed professional.”
PLUS: One more thing I’d like to say
“The client and the architect must have confidence in the other, for many good reasons. Find that architect who is full of passion for his work!”
As for how you should be able to judge if your architect is ‘good’ or not? “Well, look at his portfolio or previous works, publications and the like; [and] try to check out his reputation and integrity,” Taher replies.
“All these things will add up so you can be convinced that he is indeed professional.”
PLUS: One more thing I’d like to say
“The client and the architect must have confidence in the other, for many good reasons. Find that architect who is full of passion for his work!”
Photo by Sanjay Kewlani
TELL US
Were these tips about working with an architect useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
TELL US
Were these tips about working with an architect useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
1. If you want a good result, it won’t be cheap or fast
“Do you remember Jaguar’s CEO’s statement: ‘If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design’?,” Taher asks.
He says: “In other words; if the aim is a good ‘product or end result’ it shall not be done cheap and fast, and if you still want to do it fast, it won’t be good nor cheap.”