Architecture is all about illustrations and pictures. I know that sounds very basic, and it is basic. The concept of understanding the paper drawings (perhaps digital PDFs) before the project is built is key. I would venture to say the average building owner is not sure what their building will look like prior to construction. A skilled architect is really a sculptor, designing in three dimensions. In years past, I had the opportunity to design a new medical office building. I reviewed the drawings and made a special emphasis on the floor plans with the physician and his staff, and provided multiple outdoor illustrations to show what the exterior looked like. Upon completion, the doctor said he loved to go to work in the new building and enjoyed the design. When asked if there were any surprises, he said he was embarrassed that he did not understand the floor plan and thought the doors shown in the illustrations were curved glass walls. Now it was my turn to be surprised. I did not explain the items on the plan in a way he could understand. A picture showing the doors of the interior space would have helped explain the space to him.
Project Scale
The typical project transforms significantly during the design process. As the design takes shape, the spaces are developed and proportions established. Heating and cooling systems are incorporated with the necessary space to accommodate them. Textures, lighting and floor levels are carefully developed along with the structural materials and connections. Energy consideration is discussed along with desired window locations to take advantage of views. With these systems are established, exterior and interior illustrations can be created. This phase is where the pictorials are very helpful in understanding the project.
Does the Architect Understand What the Client Wants?
There always is a trust factor with owner and architect as to what the final project will look like. Often, homeowners will show pictures of similar rooms they like. Many times, it’s the lighting and colors that are very important in the space. Sometimes owners love a picture of a kitchen and what they really like are the appliances. So, listening to what they really want is key.
During Construction
Frequently we will see the scale of a project transform significantly during construction. When the perimeter of the project is understood, usually during digging the footings, the project looks way too small. Owners often call me with concerns about the square footage. This “too small” perspective often continues during the concrete slab pour. And then, when walls start go up, it can now look too tall. I remember a residence where a 12” x 12” wood column was the first tipped up wood piece. It looked like a major mistake and I received a call from the homeowners. They trusted me, but needed reassurance. Today, they see their house as perfect in column proportions. Rough carpentry is the best subcontractor for immediate three-dimensional visualization. It happens relatively fast and suddenly the spaces are understood.
Trusting the Illustrations
I use illustrations to deepen the trust between myself and the owner as the project is built. I will frequently bring pictorials we discussed during the design phase to explain what is happening during construction. I always ask, “Do you trust the illustration? Do the proportions look correct? Do you like the appearance of the rendering?” These are good ways to reassure the proportions are tracking our design plan.
Scale Shock
Once while designing a three-story medical office for a practice of 29 doctors, scale shock poured in to the tune of 20 to 30 phone messages half an hour. The steel columns and concrete floors were complete and the carpenters chalked the floors for the interior wall locations. The physicians saw their office layout and panicked that it was too small. It did look small, but I knew this was scale shock. Upon measuring every office, indeed, it was correct. In order to avoid the scale shock factor, have your architect show as many illustrations as you need to understand your project. QCBN
By Todd Marolf