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From Sketch to Structure: What Are You Really Paying an Architect For?
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Why should one hire an architect? To create something “beautiful” — a notion as subjective as it is elusive? To craft a merely functional space — when countless templates already exist? Or to ensure a structure that stands firm — surely the domain of the civil engineer? And so, the question lingers: what, truly, makes an architect worth the investment?
There are many reasons as to why it is difficult to answer this question, with the primary one being that the true work of an architect still remains rather mysterious and undefined. A common misconception is that architects are all about making buildings, often neglecting and even devaluating the thinking and intellectual rigor required prior to any sort of construction work. Still, lets dive a little bit deeper into what that “thinking” entails.
Wuhan Great River Center Plot C International Competition by line+ studio, Wuhan, Hubei
Ideation is perhaps the most critical aspect of architectural design. It involves a lot of research, both conceptually as well as theoretically, that is then translated into space through making and drawing. It is where functional organization, artistic expression and user experience come together to create space.
At the same time, these abstract and functional design gestures are also informed by the immediate site as well as the wider context. Environmental conditions, local crafts, societal rules and urban layouts are all taken into consideration by architects, often involving creating detailed surveys, maps and even infographics that paint a clear picture as to how the design impacts the surrounding conditions.
The Portal by Form4 Architecture, Concept
Visualization then is essentially an articulation of this research — of this intellectual labor. It can take the form of a rough sketch, a hand-drawn perspective, a section or a plan as well as a polished render and even a walkthrough-video. The actual process of visualization hides a lot of problem-solving itself. It goes beyond producing a mere aesthetic image but it’s about drawing the idea, firstly to understand it and secondly to resolve it, generating many iterations in order to reach a proposal ready to be presented to the world.
In fact, there is a branch of architecture, called speculative or paper architecture, whose endeavor is for these drawings / images to be the end result, testing out new forms or technologies and trying to resolve wider architectural (and often environmental, economic or societal) issues, without setting a goal for their actual implementation.
New Museum of Architecture and Design by Architects of Invention, Concept
Finally, coordination is what architects are maybe less known for. In construction, they take the role of the conductor, orchestrating engineers, consultants, city planners, and clients and translating visions into feasible projects. They are required to think on the spot, come up with quick ideas that consider all aspects of the design and – because they have conducted so much research (from inception to implementation) — are the ones who can, most of the time, offer the best solutions.
Horizon House by ONUS Architecture Studio, Greece
Consequently, the architect’s work is not something tangible. It is not a gleaming skyscraper or an elegant home but rather an intellectual act — a process of visualization, research, and imagination that transforms blank pages into living spaces. How can one put a price on that? To make matters simpler (and admittedly a bit dull), the stages of an architect’s work can be broken down into early conceptual studies, multiple design iterations, stakeholder presentations, technical detailing and construction phase services. Additionally, organizations such as the RIBA or the AIA have introduced multiple fee structures in order to accommodate many rather abstract pieces of work, while recognizing that architecture is an ongoing service and not a product-based profession.
Percentage of construction cost is a fee most commonly used for larger projects, based on a percentage of the final construction cost and reflecting the complexity and scale of coordination required. The lump sum, on the other hand, is more straightforward, with it being a total fee agreed upon at the outset for a clearly defined scope of work. In contrast, when the scope is uncertain or open-ended — particularly during early conceptual phases, consulting engagements, or feasibility studies — hourly billing might be the best option. Finally, more “daring” firms experiment with models that tie fees to the project’s value creation for the client — for example, how a new design improves operational efficiency or market appeal.
Kaohsiung Train Station by Mecanoo, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
To the casual observer, an architect’s deliverables might seem straightforward: plans, drawings, blueprints. Yet what a client ultimately pays for goes far deeper — it’s the sum of countless invisible hours spent thinking, researching, testing, coordinating and refining. Architecture is not a simple transaction for a set of documents; it’s a collaborative intellectual service that shapes every dimension of a project’s success.
Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Start your entry today, and take advantage of the Early Entry prices!
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Featured Image: Tencent Campus by MVRDV, Shenzhen, China
The post From Sketch to Structure: What Are You Really Paying an Architect For? appeared first on Journal.
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