Housing and Community Development

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Housing Knowledge Community and Custom Residential Architects Network .
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I too work out of a home office and I have tried using my laptop when I met with client in their homes.
I found that while showing the client sketches and plans that I had prepared in the office were of interest to the client, they were more concerned with telling me what they were thinking, showing me their ideas of their project. And more to the point, while I was busy using the computer, I was not LISTENING as well as I should have been.  It works much better  for me to send pdf's to keep an email stream of my progress going and that way the client is more prepared to push the project ideas forward.  Most interesting  aspect is that when I sent the pdf's ahead of my meeting, the husband and wife had had a chance to discuss my ideas and are ready with their responses to the design.

I am now using Revit and some clients have asked to come to my office for a real time discussion of their project. And I am more comfortable using my software to show the same options that I have been working on.  It is really great to have clients respond to the 3D work on their projects.  

As far as a home office, clients like to see how architects live, work so don't be too concerned with sharing your home with them.  The dining room makes a great conference room.

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Ann Dunning AIA
President
Ann M. Dunning, AIA, Inc.
Chagrin Falls OH
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Thanks for sharing, Ann.  Say: i have a discussion about Revit LT versus Revit going on in the TAP.  Can you share some more about your perceptions of one versus the other?

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Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
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I too worked out my home while I was establishing an office. About two years. It worked very well until I had staff. Then the basement got to be to small.  I also had two small children so keeping the dining room conference table free of syrup and Cheerios was challenge. Sticky was not good for the clients business attire and then throw a dog  who wanted to participate in the meetings, well it was just easier to travel.
I would go to clients houses for their convenience as well. Most appreciate that level of service. Client child care was a factor sometimes, what works for them is what we did.

I also wanted to separate my work life from my family life, but then I am an architect and they are really one in the same. The family deserves better.

We are still not high tech. I present via paper and either sketch on the sheets or trash paper overlay. I make sure the clients have a sharpie too. Clients like to watch me draw, and I do it upside most of the time so the drawing is oriented their way. We never sit side by side because my hand blocks the view. I am always positioned so my hand is not in the way.

Trying to show work on a lap top is distracting and the images are small. Not to mention hard to have more the one person view at a time. Actually do not own one.

This whole computer thing is changing how we all relate. Not sure that is good. Working on paper with pencil is about team building and its super fast to get to the essence of problem. Then back to the machines.

Online meetings are great if you draw on screen for clients out of Town. Webex hosted meetings allow all to draw on the screen for all to see, and even AutoCad can go live on screen. Works great when the home is in one place, architect in another, client in another and builder in another. 



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Donald Duffy AIA
Don Duffy Architecture
Charlotte NC
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Donald:
I would really encourage you to integrate computer skills into your work...especially if you want to continue to practice solo.  I have now been doing computer drawings for 32 years.  Each new version gets better and better...as well as easier to use.  If you haven't seen a demonstration of Revit..you should...Now I can spend more time on design, presentations for my clients.  With the software managing drawing sheets, title blocks, dating drawings and not having to flip in and out of Acad files I really can spend time on designing and detailing my projects....My only caution is that "you really have to know how to build buildings to use Revit efficiently".
The first line drawn in design is input and you build from there. I still use bumwad in client meeting..as they still think that is a real trick. Many architects still scoff at "Computer Drawings" but my clients and contractors really appreciate how they can use my drawings.  They especially like that I include a small perspective view that I included on each elevation drawing because the can see what the building is supposed to look like.   I still use my old Acad details integrated into drawing sets...don't need to redraw that foundation detail every time.  I can really spend time on the concept of the project.  Best wishes in betting your firm out of the basement--funny but that is where I started too.

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Ann Dunning AIA
President
Ann M. Dunning, AIA, Inc.
Chagrin Falls OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2013 19:34
From: Donald Duffy
Subject: Client Presentations

I too worked out my home while I was establishing an office. About two years. It worked very well until I had staff. Then the basement got to be to small.  I also had two small children so keeping the dining room conference table free of syrup and Cheerios was challenge. Sticky was not good for the clients business attire and then throw a dog  who wanted to participate in the meetings, well it was just easier to travel.
I would go to clients houses for their convenience as well. Most appreciate that level of service. Client child care was a factor sometimes, what works for them is what we did.

I also wanted to separate my work life from my family life, but then I am an architect and they are really one in the same. The family deserves better.

We are still not high tech. I present via paper and either sketch on the sheets or trash paper overlay. I make sure the clients have a sharpie too. Clients like to watch me draw, and I do it upside most of the time so the drawing is oriented their way. We never sit side by side because my hand blocks the view. I am always positioned so my hand is not in the way.

Trying to show work on a lap top is distracting and the images are small. Not to mention hard to have more the one person view at a time. Actually do not own one.

This whole computer thing is changing how we all relate. Not sure that is good. Working on paper with pencil is about team building and its super fast to get to the essence of problem. Then back to the machines.

Online meetings are great if you draw on screen for clients out of Town. Webex hosted meetings allow all to draw on the screen for all to see, and even AutoCad can go live on screen. Works great when the home is in one place, architect in another, client in another and builder in another. 



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Donald Duffy AIA
Don Duffy Architecture
Charlotte NC
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