Before any architecture project starts, there needs to be a client who has the vision to build something. Once they’ve committed to build, they’ll need some specialists to work through all of the mandatory building requirements. In Australia, these include the local planning scheme, national construction code, and some specific design guidelines. So with all of those requirements being handled by the professionals, what is the client’s role while all of this is going on? Some might think that they’re just meant to sit back until they’re called upon to pay a bill or attend a design meeting? But the client had the vision to have the project built in the first place. So does that mean they get their monies worth by getting involved in every single aspect of the architectural process as it moves from one consultant to the next? Or would this slow down the project team from achieving their aspirations? In this episode of Hearing Architecture, we’ve asked architects from around Australia what makes a good client and what a client can do to get the most out of an architect.

This episode of Hearing Architecture featured the following guests: Damian Madigan, Rod Simpson, Sue Dugdale, Peter Stutchberry, Justin Carrier, Kylee Schoonens, Steven Postmus, Shaneen Fantin, Belinda Allwood, Professor Philip Thalis, Rob McGauran, Jo Rees, Lee Hillam, Dik Jarman, Yvette Breytenbach, Jefa Greenaway, Hugh Mcguire, and Andrew Maynard.

The interviews in this episode were produced around Australia by EmAGN committee members: Jamileh Jahangiri, Daniel Hall, Kirsty Volz, Kali Marnane, Chris Morley, Sam McQueeney, Reece Currey, Brad Wetherall, Jess Beaver, Bede Taylor, Rebecca Webster, and Daniel Moore.

The AIA production team was Daniela Crawley, Stacey Rodda, Monique Woodward, and Thom McKenzie.

Produced by the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architects and Graduates Network, in collaboration with Open Creative Studio.

Written and Directed by Daniel Moore.