Clients who engage an architect for the first time are often (happily) surprised to experience that architects’ services go well beyond creating drawing packages for construction. In fact, the range of services typically provided on a single project spans multiple specialties that can each become complete careers for different members of an architectural firm. Some aspects of what we do are highly technical and prescriptive, while others are more creative and right-brained (especially at the beginning of a project). Some roles are rather introverted, and some require a great deal of comfort speaking to multiple people in a range of settings.
When asked “what do architects do?” our answer is usually as follows:
Imagine a project is a piece of music played by a symphony. Each design consultant - including the various engineers on a project as well as the architect - is holding an instrument. But the architect is also holding a conductor’s baton, standing at the front, and feverishly directing the entire ensemble. Of course, the architect is usually made up of multiple team members, all executing a series of interconnected creative, technical, and project management tasks and sub-projects. When the entire symphony plays together in harmony, the result is truly a work of art.
The design team working (playing) together.