Busted! 5 Myths About Hiring an Architect
We dispel some of the common misconceptions about working with design professionals
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari
8 February 2022
Blogger, dog mom
It’s great to build a beautiful home that is designed well, but when it comes to hiring a professional to carry out the job, many of us find the thought uncomfortable. There are numerous preconceived notions about working with architects – they are expensive, they will dominate the design planning, they are only for high-end projects and so on.
Four celebrated Indian architects help dispel some myths and provide key insights into what working with an architect is really about.
Architects:
Hiren Patel of Hiren Patel Architects
Kayzad Shroff of ShroffLeon
Santha Mattoo of Planet 3 Studios Architecture
Raya Shankhwalker of Raya Shankhwalker Architects
Four celebrated Indian architects help dispel some myths and provide key insights into what working with an architect is really about.
Architects:
Hiren Patel of Hiren Patel Architects
Kayzad Shroff of ShroffLeon
Santha Mattoo of Planet 3 Studios Architecture
Raya Shankhwalker of Raya Shankhwalker Architects
Myth 1. Architects only take on commercial or large-scale projects
Residential architecture has an extensive and flourishing practice in India. Depending on the budget, an architect or a firm can be brought on for mid-size to high-end homes. Take a look at some of the gorgeous homes on Houzz designed by the country’s talented architects.
Raya Shankhwalker says, “Architects have the ability to deliver design services that encompass architecture, interior and landscape design.” Hiren Patel goes further and advises that one should bring on an architect even if one wants to extend the verandah of a home.
An architect can be key in creating a unique home. After all, where would famous residences like Fallingwater or the Kaufmann Residence be without architect Frank Lloyd Wright?
Residential architecture has an extensive and flourishing practice in India. Depending on the budget, an architect or a firm can be brought on for mid-size to high-end homes. Take a look at some of the gorgeous homes on Houzz designed by the country’s talented architects.
Raya Shankhwalker says, “Architects have the ability to deliver design services that encompass architecture, interior and landscape design.” Hiren Patel goes further and advises that one should bring on an architect even if one wants to extend the verandah of a home.
An architect can be key in creating a unique home. After all, where would famous residences like Fallingwater or the Kaufmann Residence be without architect Frank Lloyd Wright?
Myth 2. An architect is a designer and a contractor all in one
Sometimes, clients expect the architect to design their house and then be responsible for its construction as well. “This is an issue we have had to deal with multiple times; invariably inexperienced clients have this notion. Each is its own specialised field, both of which, at times, are grouped as one,” Kayzad Shroff says.
Need help with building a home or on a home renovation project? Find an architect from the Houzz professionals directory near you
Sometimes, clients expect the architect to design their house and then be responsible for its construction as well. “This is an issue we have had to deal with multiple times; invariably inexperienced clients have this notion. Each is its own specialised field, both of which, at times, are grouped as one,” Kayzad Shroff says.
Need help with building a home or on a home renovation project? Find an architect from the Houzz professionals directory near you
Myth 3. Architects are expensive
Well, agreed – this isn’t entirely a myth – but any specialised craft and expertise comes at a price. And in the long run, it works out cheaper than discovering design blunders by amateurs late into the project and correcting them. However, the ‘fee’ varies with each architect and it depends on the size of the project. “An architect is never as expensive compared to the total project cost – they are always more inclined towards the design of a building or a home and actually help the client avoid purchasing products that are unnecessary for the project,” says Patel.
According to Shankhwalker, the fee paid to an architect is a small part of the project cost and the services of a competent consultant can result in greater cost efficiency and, of course, value addition. But before deciding on the level of fees they can afford for hiring a professional, Santha Mattoo says that clients first need to have a realistic construction budget in mind, only then should they approach an architect, as the expert will add a fresh perspective to the design. “Only those who have an extremely low budget for the project find architects expensive. In such cases it becomes unaffordable to hire an architect because an already tight budget does not leave much room for the professional’s fee. Also, an architect has to spend ample time and effort on a project, regardless of the budget, thus it is only fair that a client pay a decent fee to the architect.”
Well, agreed – this isn’t entirely a myth – but any specialised craft and expertise comes at a price. And in the long run, it works out cheaper than discovering design blunders by amateurs late into the project and correcting them. However, the ‘fee’ varies with each architect and it depends on the size of the project. “An architect is never as expensive compared to the total project cost – they are always more inclined towards the design of a building or a home and actually help the client avoid purchasing products that are unnecessary for the project,” says Patel.
According to Shankhwalker, the fee paid to an architect is a small part of the project cost and the services of a competent consultant can result in greater cost efficiency and, of course, value addition. But before deciding on the level of fees they can afford for hiring a professional, Santha Mattoo says that clients first need to have a realistic construction budget in mind, only then should they approach an architect, as the expert will add a fresh perspective to the design. “Only those who have an extremely low budget for the project find architects expensive. In such cases it becomes unaffordable to hire an architect because an already tight budget does not leave much room for the professional’s fee. Also, an architect has to spend ample time and effort on a project, regardless of the budget, thus it is only fair that a client pay a decent fee to the architect.”
Myth 4. An architect will disregard your choices and dominate design planning
For the success of any residential project, it is important for the clients and architects to be in constant communication with each other. “If clients have a very clear idea of what they want for the home, they should convey it to the architect and, together, they can translate the same into reality. The client and architect can work perfectly in sync in the creation of the design, but both need to keep an open mind and allow for changes. When the client has shared his vision of the project he or she should also allow the architect to add some fresh ideas too, just because the expert is more savvy with the ongoing design and construction industry trends,” Mattoo says.
Residential designs are the manifestation of the homeowner’s dreams converted into brick and mortar by the expert; this is why the client and the architect need to be in perfect coordination at every step. As Patel puts it, “The architect takes control of the project and not the design.”
Myth 5. One architect is the same as another
Every architect is different – in scope, capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, it is important for a client to do their homework before deciding on an architect with whom they want to work. “After all, it’s an intimate relationship that will span months, if not years; so careful attention needs to be paid in the selection. Personal connection and rapport are at times more important than almost any other aspect,” Shroff says.
Each professional has his or her own distinctive style and design approach. “It is important for a client to see the architect’s previous work and meet in person to see if they can peacefully work together,” Shankhwalker says.
Read more:
Busted! 5 Myths About Hiring an Interior Designer
Houzz Forum: State of Indian Architecture Today and Tomorrow
Tell us:
Have you ever hired an architect? Tell us of your experiences in the Comments section below.
For the success of any residential project, it is important for the clients and architects to be in constant communication with each other. “If clients have a very clear idea of what they want for the home, they should convey it to the architect and, together, they can translate the same into reality. The client and architect can work perfectly in sync in the creation of the design, but both need to keep an open mind and allow for changes. When the client has shared his vision of the project he or she should also allow the architect to add some fresh ideas too, just because the expert is more savvy with the ongoing design and construction industry trends,” Mattoo says.
Residential designs are the manifestation of the homeowner’s dreams converted into brick and mortar by the expert; this is why the client and the architect need to be in perfect coordination at every step. As Patel puts it, “The architect takes control of the project and not the design.”
Myth 5. One architect is the same as another
Every architect is different – in scope, capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, it is important for a client to do their homework before deciding on an architect with whom they want to work. “After all, it’s an intimate relationship that will span months, if not years; so careful attention needs to be paid in the selection. Personal connection and rapport are at times more important than almost any other aspect,” Shroff says.
Each professional has his or her own distinctive style and design approach. “It is important for a client to see the architect’s previous work and meet in person to see if they can peacefully work together,” Shankhwalker says.
Read more:
Busted! 5 Myths About Hiring an Interior Designer
Houzz Forum: State of Indian Architecture Today and Tomorrow
Tell us:
Have you ever hired an architect? Tell us of your experiences in the Comments section below.
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I totally agree with your views. I have been following Houzz closely. We are in middle of renovation of our DDA flat in Delhi. We have engaged extremely enthusiastic young Architects Somya and Arunima of LA 15 Design Studio. They are the best professionals who have done unimaginable value addition in the project. Taking aspirations of the family, Designing & Monitoring has endeared them to all. Thanks Houzz and Ar Somya and Ar Arunima.
Highly biased article towards Architects. There are many so called Architects that take client for a ride and are highly unprofessional. Request you to write an article that exposes the unethical practices by such Architects and how normal person should be careful with such Architects and their practices.
Well articulated Aditi. There is an interesting TED talk by the famous architect Frank Gehry on similar lines and readers may want to go through. Also almost anyone can afford an architect / interior designer if one holistically looks the entire value versus costs equation.