This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Residential Knowledge Community and CRAN Custom Residential Architects Network .
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I have been practicing for 40 years, with 195 completed projects, the vast majority residential. I have never been "fired" by a client, but I have "fired" clients. I started out as a design-build firm, and there were many more opportunities for conflict, but I adopted a few procedures that proved to work for me. I abandoned the AIA contract document format and wrote my own contract in plain english, using many of the AIA ideas. Every time I had a problem, I wrote the solution into my contract for the next client. No new client ever questioned my contract or the added requirements. It's the nature of a new relationship. We tend to take each other at face value.
One of the key elements I added was that I work by consensus, meaning that all design decisions are agreed upon by all parties. Neither architect or client "rules" the design process. This creates a working environment where the architect must "teach" the value of good design to each client, yet retains a veto over bad decisions. This has worked very well as most of my clients appreciate the role of design "student". I have had a few clients who found this type of relationship difficult and a power struggle appeared. At that point, I resigned from the project (thus "firing" the client). Another clause in my contract is that either party can terminate the agreement without cause with 30 days notice, and full payment for services rendered to the date of receipt of the notice of termination.
Early in my practice, I became aware that architecture is much more than a single-focus profession, combining artistic, creative, technical, financial, legal and psychological skills. Now I find that I am also a team manager, advocate to the community, advisor on the evolution of home environment to match the aging of the family, recorder and imposer of state regulations and many, many more roles.
One thing I have appreciated through all this is that architecture deals with clients who, for the most part, are excited about the evolution of their life. They have come to me when they have their lives together, and if something happens and their lives fall apart, they leave. Most, if not all other professions seem to present themselves as problem solvers. Their clients come with a problem and the professional helps them deal with it. When the problem goes away, so does the client. I have been blessed to witness and coach 195 families move forward into the unknown experience of creating a new environment for living. It has been a unique series of lessons for them as well as for me.
I now find myself completing my last project, not by choice, but by the effect of the recession. Here in California. we have been experiencing a 70% reduction in building permit applications since 2008. There has been little or no change in the lending environment to date. I continue to advertise, look for work with other firms, and openly discuss my situation with friends and colleagues, but I have had no inquiries for new work for 18 months. I find that my professional degrees and experience are of no interest to the few architects who have jobs listed. They value AutoCAD experience over the design of successful projects. Unfortunately, I chose to learn ArchiCAD because I'm a Mac guy, and I liked the idea of designing and presenting in 3D. I hope that my experience and perspective can be of value to other architects via this forum and other forms of connection and friendship.
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David Ludwig
Sausalito CA
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