Category: Case Study #1

What is your evaluation of the client’s intent? What would be your approach to this design problem?

I am of the thought that if you don’t do something a one will usually show that will. Although I believe such a thing to be true, that dose not rule out the possibility for compromise or finding common ground. This client seems to have a very corporate view on what he wants, this is fair because it is what he has seen throughout his career most likely , and if it works why deviate. I would try to show the client that this is not the case . I would show him that although the examples he has seen of this efficiency has worked, it has been proven to slow down intime  studies have shown that a happier work place have been proven to improve productivity. 

What more information would you request from the client?

I would ask the client for the programs he would like to have, possible company growth ,budget . 

At what stage of the contract should this issues be discussed ?

This issue should be discussed at the beginning because it could give both parties a feel of how to go forward with each other if a compromise is met.

Understanding what the client wants is apart of my job. The client has a very specific request for a project they would like me to work on, my job is to meet my clients standards and possibly advise them on what I know as a professional in the field. Although I may disagree with my clients vision, I can be able to work around my restrictions to make not only the client satisfied but the employees as well. The client arguing that if it’s store employees could work in a big box so should its headquarters staff- is somewhat understandable for someone who’s not in a position to actually be the one working in the office. Working in building offices where you have to sit down and spend your time in your own personal space for probably over 8 hours, and to be doing that in a box-like atmosphere is NOT ideal. I would definitely try to advise my client otherwise, and if that doesn’t work I would have to further evaluate ways I can design this “box” where the employees would be comfortable and my client would be satisfied.

To start I would request information about the budget, other programs, and amount of employees working. These issues should be discussed before signing any contracts. I would like to be as neutral as possible but when it’s an issue with experiencing the right space in a program where its necessary that you experience these spaces, I would start problem solving. These issues can be discussed with opinions respected, and influenced when you are a trusted professional.

The clients approach comes out as being greedy and inconsiderate when he said he wants the space to be “efficiency”. I understand that when being the client, you’re the main source of money income. Therefore you want to get what you want for what you’re paying for. A work environment is like a second home for some people because they spend most of their day at work. It should be a place where people will  feel comfortable and welcomed everyday. Open spaces and natural light is essential for offices, in my opinion. 

 I would want more information about the amount of employees and what type of work would be performed. An important piece of information is knowing the budget for the project. Knowing the budget I would know what direction I can go, such as, materials, etc. This issue should be addressed from the beginning of the contract. This will give time to the client if he agrees with the architect’s ideas and can change his/ her mind. 

The client’s intended use for the space, “efficiency,” is a while common approach to any building, is a terrible idea for how to layout the space for its intended users. An office building should be spacious and allow for views and light for natural light to reach the users. My approach to solving this problem would be express my concern for the “efficient” approach and to design for opportunities that are beneficial to the users, such as ways to bring in more natural light.

A bit of information that I would ask of the client is the amount of employees do they intend to have working. As well if they would want any additional programming other than work space.

These issues need to be discussed as soon as possible. So they should be discussed during the programming stage of the process. Having these problems discussed with the client early on will give more time to plan for this effectively and efficiently.

What is your evaluation of the client’s intent? What would be your approach to this design problem?

• I believe the client is trying to show how it is unfair and unequal for people to work in a box shape space with no windows and no privacy. By making the headquarter staff work in such space they will understand the store employees on how they feel working in such a rigorous space. My approach as an architect would be to explain the importance visual and acoustical privacy and give the client some design ideas that would include this indirectly.

• What more information would you request from the client?

I would ask the client for the number of people that will be occupying this space, what type of spaces he will be needing. Are these people spending more of their time during the morning or evening time inside this building? How much is he willing to spend?

• At what stage of the contract should this issues be discussed?

This issue should be discussed since the beginning before starting any design.

What is your evaluation of the client’s intent? What would be your approach to this design problem?

 My evaluation of the client’s intent concludes that the client is trying to squeeze out as much profit as possible with this new design. They are not only trying to be cost efficient, but the client is showing that they are negligent and self proclaimed. The only thing that I hear is personal long term gain, I do not think it would be a stress free work environment for employees. This will only cause issues in the long run, therefore I would have to meet common grounds with the client. While ensuring everyone’s happy in the long run such as the client, employees, and myself the designer. To approach this, I would start my looking at what the client wants, then work around it by having an efficient space. Meanwhile obtaining a habitable office space with natural sunlight, lighting, windows, fresh air, acoustically pleasing, and privacy. I would think of ways of making sure the room can fit the occupants needs such as, the required number of desks or work space per sqft. I would also add more windows to make the space feel bigger than it actually was, while adding vegetation because not only is it efficient for air quality. It is aesthetically pleasing, and has a positive impact on the body and mind. 

What more information would you request from the client?

1. How big is the room?
2. How many people roughly are you planning to occupy this room?
3. Do you think this is humane to cram a mass amount of people in this space?
4. What is your long term plan? 
5. Are you willing to come to mutual ground on this design?
6. What does efficiency mean to you?
7. What is your definition of efficiency?
8. How much are you willing to spend?
9. How do you feel about a green environment?

At what stage of the contract should this issue be discussed?

  I would discuss this at the very beginning, before the design even started. To ensure that there’s mutual understandings about how the cons outweigh the pros, based on what the client desired. That way we can work around it, and enhance the client’s understanding, and happiness after the end game.

Jernel W.

As we are familiar with the universal phrase “The customer is always right”, we also know that isn’t always the case. 

Steve Jobs, while talking about market research, once said, “People don’t know what they want until you show it to them”. That also applies for any type of consumers we can think of. As an architect, it would be my duty not only to satisfy my client, but also to solve the given challenges. As a responsible architect, I have to mention these issues at the very beginning of the project. Probably even before taking the job. Convincing the client would be the first thing to do in a situation like this, with facts and evidence. And there comes the research papers on the relationship between productivity and comfort at work. Clients can come up with bizarre idea’s and demands and that could be because of the lack of knowledge on that particular field. So it is the architect’s job to make sure the client is fully aware of these aspects, and convince them to find a middle ground.  

Some of the information which I would need as an architect are, what would be the number of employees. What would be the budget for this project? The location in which it will be constructed? If this is going to be on an expansive site, why are they limiting the space for the office building? What are the limitations? 

It is also important to let the client know that different work spaces require different programs, depending on how many hours they are working and what type of activities are taking place. Communication is the key. Dicussing the pros and cons with the client, providing them with data and facts, and coming to a conclusive solution together is what would be ideal for this situation.

When I think of office buildings, I always think of natural light, and space for employees to work freely, comfortably, and be able to concentrate well. From reading what the client wants, I understand that they would want to use as much space as possible. But, cramming a lot of people together just to fit as many employees as possible does not seem smart. It has been proven that employees work better and more efficiently if there is a lot of natural light, fresh air, and a comfortable amount of space between them and their colleagues. A big box store and a headquarters building are two different environments. Therefore, they should not be given the same conditions. My approach would be to try to convince the client that not all work environments are the same. Also, to prove to them through statistics that giving employees a better work environment will equal to more progress which means more $$$.  

When it comes to information from the client, I would ask how many employees he plans on having to work in this space. That way I can accurately calculate how much space would be needed to occupy that many people. I would also ask besides office space, what other spaces do you specifically need for your company? I ask that just because it varies with different companies. From there, I should be able to confirm the space capacity and cost. These issues should defiantly be discussed before even signing a contract. I feel that both I and the client should be on the same page with changes that would be done to what they wanted before. We should also have a clear understanding of what can be legally done and what cannot. And I say that just because if they try to change the plan into something else, they should know what can and cannot be done considering the area and zone that their building is in. It’s always important to talk about the things that may seem boring to a client just because it makes them aware of just how important it is. 

Being a young Latina woman who has entered into the world of architecture. This work field is mostly male nominated, and I want to change that. I want to create an environment/program/business where female architects wont have to face discrimination or sexism.That being said, every gender is welcomed, but it will provide support to those who are looked down to. It is all about supporting one another. Being a young adult, especially a freshly graduate from college, some firms underestimate your knowledge in architecture. Firms preferred someone with more experienced and its not fair.

• do women make better architects?
• what percentage of architects are females?
• Does it brand architecture by giving it a gender?
•  what can women do to keep the focus on their work and not let the media use them as a marketing gimmick?
• does age defined your level of skills?
• statistics
• examples of great female architects