An Architect’s Voice
Architects develop and hone their craft through rigorous education and experience. They use specialized tools to supplement their knowledge gained and to maximize the effectiveness of their efforts. These tools can vary widely across media, both analog and digital.
Q: Is there a tool that Architects should leverage above all the rest? What is an Architect’s most important tool?
“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live only as you can.”
Tool (n)
an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand
anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an end
What is the Most Important Tool?
When I first considered an Architect’s most important “tool,” my mind was transported to tactile utensils—pens, sketchbooks, computers, and so on.
"I'm always careful to say I'm without sight, not without vision."
— Chris Downey
But I soon recalled an article from Mental Floss entitled, "How a Blind Architect is Changing Design."
The piece told the captivating story of an Architect named Chris Downey. Chris had worked for many years and suddenly lost his sight in 2008 following a surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. He did not let his handicap stop his drive though. As soon as he was cleared to, he returned to his office and began working again.
Chris is a San Francisco-based Architect who is fundamentally changing the way that other Architects interact with the profession. As he's quoted in the article, "I'm always careful to say I'm without sight, not without vision."
Even without his sight, this man has still been an active component of the profession.
Looking at my original list of pens, sketchbooks, and computers, I knew Chris had little use for them. He adapted to his situation and was using different tools.
Instead of physical tools, I considered instead the knowledge I've accumulated that defines my competency as an Architect.
I am not my physical tools. I am the sum of my experiences both personal and professional.
The greatest tool an Architect has to offer is their own voice.
Let’s explore twelve ways an Architect can use such a tool.
Protection
1. Their voice protects the public.
As a professional of the people, an Architect is bound by their duty to protect the public welfare in similar ways to that of a doctor or a lawyer.
While an Architect does not have to take a formal Hippocratic Oath, they are still responsible to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public within the laws of their jurisdiction. The Architect's voice acts as the primary medium vehicle for the protection they provide.
Whether during design or into construction, an Architect is a champion for the people.
An Architect has a duty use their voice and speak up for what is right. This is especially true if an Architect recognizes that an error was their mistake. The safety of the public comes first.
The public relies upon Architects for their expertise. The public gives Architects their trust that the they will do what is necessary to keep them safe.
2. Their voice protects owners.
Often times, an Architect is also a shield for the Owner of a project.
Contracts (and the formative ties they create between an Owner, Architect, and Contractor) give the Architect certain responsibilities to protect the Owner. These include areas are outside of an Owner’s expertise.
An Architect must keep the peace during construction between Owner and Contractor. An Architect provides several checks and balances during construction to help the Owner navigate the process.
If there is a problem in the field, with submittals, or with the services provided by the Contractor, an Architect is responsible for notifying the Owner that there are issues. They can guide the Owner with how to proceed with such issues.
3. Their voice protects design.
An Architect must balance personal design interests with an Owner's ability to use a project once it's built. While there are many opportunities to use design as a way of exploring new ideas, an Architect is ultimately designing a functional building.
However, during the design and construction process, an Architect is given one significant power. Once a project has been bid and awarded to a Contractor, an Architect is allowed and obligated to uphold the design intent of a project.
Design intent is the datum from which an Architect can make many decisions during construction administration.
An Architect is given the responsibility to protect their design, not out of vanity, but because it is assumed that the design intent is already in the best interest of the Owner prior to construction.
Without this check and balance, a Contractor could conceivably do whatever they wanted to.
Personality
4. Their voice showcases their professionalism.
As a professional, an Architect is supposed to act as such.
While there are exception to every rule (people are still people you know), the vast majority Architects conduct themselves with dignity and poise. Architects are the advocates of the built environment, business owners, and educators.
5. Their voice showcases their integrity.
People can be sleazy and corrupt. But an Architect must use their voice to maintain the integrity of the profession. An Architect is the champion of the stakeholders in a given project. As such, they must also use their voice to maintain a level of trust with their clients (both current and future) and the public.
The integrity of the profession is tied to the integrity of its individual professionals. Architects must continue to use their voices and speak up against what they know to be morally wrong or ambiguous.
6. Their voice showcases their personal story.
Every person is unique and has a personal way of looking at the world.
Similarities may arise among designers of common backgrounds. But you are who you are because of the millions of experiences that have made you who you are today.
Architects have the opportunity to tell their stories through design. They can use design as a vehicle to share their culture and history with the world.
Advocacy
7. Their voice connects their profession to the public.
An Architect speaks both directly and indirectly with the public at large.
For centuries, the public has been moved by the built creations that have shaped their cities, towns, and way of life.
Most people we encountered don't understand what it is an Architect really does. There may be a passing reference to a “T-Square” or a “drafting desk,” but few realize the steps necessary to design and construct a building.
An Architect's voice provides the explanation to those willing to listen. Their voice explains what the profession can offer to their projects and their lives. Architects bring added value beyond drawing production. Their voice tells the story of what that value is.
8. Their voice teaches their profession to the next generation.
Just as it is important for an Architect to advocate for the profession to the public, it is equally as important that an Architect uses their voice to pass on their knowledge to the generation that follows.
Architecture is a profession that has risen over long expanses of time. There is much to pass on to the eager minds of tomorrow. It is up to experienced Architects to take the time to mentor designers and emerging professionals to ensure the consistency and quality of the profession does not diminish.
9. Their voice influences the perception of the profession.
There are Architects (Gehry, Foster, Zaha, Bjarke) that have been elevated to a level of fame very uncommon for the average, practicing Architect.
Those with more influence have also been given the opportunity to represent the Architectural profession to the masses, for better or worse.
For better, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has been fervently pushing for the education of the public than in previous generations. They are at the forefront of sharing the importance of using Architects from the early phases of a project through its construction.
For worse, Architect Frank Gehry was famously quoted for his polarizing remarks at a press conference in Oviedo, Spain, which Gehry attended to receive the Prince of Asturias Awards for the Arts.
“Let me tell you one thing. In this world we are living in, 98 percent of everything that is built and designed today is pure shit. There's no sense of design, no respect for humanity or for anything else. They are damn buildings and that's it.
Once in a while, however, there's a small group of people who does something special. Very few. But good god, leave us alone! We are dedicated to our work. I don't ask for work. I don't have a publicist. I'm not waiting for anyone to call me. I work with clients who respect the art of architecture. Therefore, please don't ask questions as stupid as that one.”
— Frank Gehry
Such influence can bring a negative connotation to how Architects perceive other Architects and how the public sees the larger profession.
The words of a single Architect may or may not influence your personal opinions. But Architects have an inherent opportunity to create positivity through positions as professionals. Be careful how you use yours.
Creation
10. Their voice generates new ideas.
An Architect can be a voice for change, both in the profession and the way we live.
As technological breakthroughs advance our understanding of the world, Architects have the opportunity to advance as well.
Many Architects of today are at the forefront of technology and design. They understand that with each experiment, every new idea, comes potential and positive change for everyone.
It is only through the exchange of these ideas openly that the Architect may push the boundaries of what is possible and bring the world to new heights.
11. Their voice connects architecture to other disciplines.
An Architect is not alone in their journey.
They must rely upon the expertise of others in order to progress the opportunities of creation.
The days of the all-knowing master builder may be over, but the splintering of trades into several different disciplines brings with it the possibility of specialization in other unique areas of practice.
Architects are no longer bound by the singular notion of how to develop and execute a building design.
Specialists in 3D printing, virtual and augmented reality, new materials, and sustainability are pushing the limits of what the practice of Architecture can and will be.
An Architect must use their voice to experiment with and advocate for these advancements to stay relevant.
12. Their voice can be used to create positive influence.
With the advent of the Internet, new ways of consuming information have become commonplace.
Now Architects are bloggers, podcasters, videographers, social media experts. And the list of opportunities continues to grow.
We live in a time that provides the most opportunities in the history of mankind to have our voice heard and recognized.
Architects must look at the field of media advancements and decide for themselves how they want their voice to be heard.
Final Thoughts
An Architect's voice is their most important tool. It's not the T-Square, or the pencil, the drafting table, or even the computer.
Consider the following:
An Architect is responsible for both the protection of the public as well as the protection of their profession.
An Architect has a unique perspective from which to challenge the status quo.
An Architect can advocate for better practices.
An Architect’s greatest tool is something cultivated over time through experience. It can’t be bought from a store.
You can take away all that an Architect has—all of their tools save one—their voice.
When was the last time you considered your place in this profession and truly used yours?
Additional Resources
(Video) An Architect’s Story: Chris Downey // AIA National
(Article) 6 Easy Ways to Add Activism and Advocacy to Your Design Practice // Mikki Brammer
(Website) Advocacy // AIA National
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