Project Delivery

I must agree with Mr. Fisher.

A few years ago, when I coached a little girl's soccer team, I noticed that most coach's strategy was to put the defenders back near the penalty box line, thus giving up most of the field to the other team.  We decided our defenders would push up and try to hold the mid-field line.  Our goal, our message to ourselves, and the message to the other team, "We claim the field, and we intend to play on your turf."

 

To follow the analogy, most Architects have retreated to the point that they not only have given up the midfield, and the penalty line, most have clustered back in the goal mouth, trying to provide maximum protection and control over a very small piece of the field and the action.  Architects (and I admit to some gross simplification and possible profiling here) don't want to be responsible for budget restraints, stepping out of their small zone of comfort, and most notably, putting their own monies at risk.  The results, (1)  (visualize that classic movie, the Mighty Ducks) where everyone else is taking shots at us, (2) you cannot win the game only playing defense, and (3) a lack of respect from the other contenders.  Everyone else in the game is out running around, looking for plays that work (i.e. Construction Managers, design-build, etc.), testing and developing new strategies; we draw a tight little line that cannot maneuver or respond quickly without tripping over each other.   To continue the analogy; If we are going to be successful, we have to "retake the field", develop better offences, acquire a broader range of skills, try new strategies, take a few more risks, be willing to adapt to changing field conditions, and be willing to take the "hits" required to be winner in this game.

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Lynn Hilbert AIA
Hillsboro OR
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What a great analogy! Might I add that the analogy also works for the amount or work out there that we go after (i.e. commercial & high end residential) which represents the penalty box and the rest of the field is regular residential work. That's about the right proportion of total jobs available and we keep fighting over the penalty box work. Guess what? I see plumbers, framers, residential designers, masons, and everyone else in the industry getting busy, yet we Architects still seem rather buggered. 

Bingo! Great visual for us visual folks, Lynn.

I must echo these sentiments, as well as those of Mr. Rawlings & Mr. Catherwall. There is hope/opportunity out there. It does however require a  shift in terms of how we approach our professions/survival. Bear with me as I share my personal testimonial: Upon being layed off two years ago (exper. licensed Commercial PA of 18 yrs, working on some of the best projects of my career at the time), I knew my only chance was running my own show under my own terms. Fortunately, I had the license, technology, and experience base to go it alone (just not much biz background, zero capital, and a relatively new location in which to adjust). What I found, is that you (namley those introverted types, myself included) just need to get your butt out of the desk/computer/CAD/BIM world, and learn to get engaged in your surroundings and community, and be a real, creative, confidant, and human professional, (relatable, but not in the conventional builder sense).
Realize that it is all in the attitude, approach, and follow-through. No matter how small and seemingly insignificant the project - in my case: garages, baths, and misc. oddball commercial renovations. Know that one thing leads to another, and the projects will get better - and in the most unsuspecting places. Suprisingly, I found some of my best opportunities by random chance meetings: summer concerts in the park, a cold call for an amazing new home project from a client who found me by a local residential AIA search (with no website, no kidding!), and probably most significant: a whole new creatively-minded venture opportunity that came through friends (arch/dsgnr led design/build/developer model).  I also have found that single family residential remodel market is the great untapped market in our profession (at least here in the upper midwest, and the least weird - and less tripping hazards!). Get over your professional baggage, culture, and preconceived notions and assert yourselves. Retake the field - yes!

Great post, Lynn + thanks to Sean and Eric for your regular Daily Affirmations...

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Todd Ovard AIA
Owner/Architect
1128 Architectural Design Services
Grafton WI
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You are one of several people on this site that has found success with the new sole proprietor model. Climbing out of this recession will be much different than the 90s in the sense that many of us younger professionals are very proficient with CAD and can run the show on our own without interns. We have the proper overhead for the often ignored smaller projects. We're the face of the Architect in the minds of the masses. The best part of this is that we don't threaten the bigger firms when we're doing the work they never touched anyway. We're simply expanding the territory for the profession! I'm delighted to hear other folks like yourself tapping into this vast resource. We need hundreds of thousands of people like you offering services to regular people and maybe one day they will re-recognize our value. I truly believe we could easily double our numbers with this strategy, which can only double our voice in the industry! This is the best way to get some of us back to work while not threatening the mid to large size firms as they struggle to survive and emerge from the wreckage.