Whitewash Studio Architecture Podcast

Responsibility.

The key to becoming a professional. Being an Architect that your clients respect. The expert. The one people depend on.

The key to all of that is to take responsibility for everything that happens during your projects.

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Dec 15, 2019 at 3:00am PST

When you take responsibility, you become the person with a solution. You have the ability to correct the things that went wrong. You can be the person that solves the problem.

Taking responsibility is hard. It might hurt your ego a bit, but it allows you the freedom to take control over a situation and fix it.

Without taking the responsibility you have no way out of the situation. You become the victim. When you pass blame to the client or other people involved there’s no way out. You don’t have the power to resolve the issue. A victim is powerless.

When you take responsibility, you create the solution. That’s the goal of a professional.

VR has not fully arrived. It’s available to the elite crowd.

It’s clunky, difficult and expensive if you want to take advantage of the out of the box solutions. There are several companies that have jumped on the release of the quest. They’re taking full advantage.

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Dec 8, 2019 at 3:00am PST

Not only the system but the ability to capitalize from the system. The high fees of the out of the box solutions make it difficult for the single person office. The pricing tears are geared towards the larger firms.

Not only are they priced high but the image quality is surprisingly low. No real textures or shading. The next major leap will have to be realistic rendering.

Clients are still having a hard time visualizing the spaces because of the cartoon look. Creating something that looks real will be the future direction.

I’ve been exploring with stereoscopic images. These images when brought into VR are realistic three dimensional images. It’s possible in the future we will be exporting full models in 3d stereoscopic with amazing light quality and realistic materials.

I’ve been playing around with creating stereoscopic images and taking this into a vr system. For now it’s only still images. They can be linked as a virtual tour through some software, but it’s still cumbersome.

I’m ready for the day when computing software catches up to what is available from a headset perspective.

We’re working and designing for people.

It’s not just us out there. The clients are people. The inhabitants are people. They have emotions and feelings, and we have to expect complications.

People are hard to read. Difficult to understand and impossible to predict. You never know how someone might react to something.

I was recently helping out a young couple with some design work. We meet at their home and went over their goals. It was going very well. I did several sketches to get to a scope of work and formulate a design proposal. The communication back and forth was great.

When I sent the proposal, it was crickets. Maybe they were surprised by the fee. It was reasonable. You never know how someone will react to what you present. This proposal must have sent them into a spiral of questions.

Will they actually make the project happen? This is an interesting lesson for me.

If they don’t want to invest in the design, will they invest in the project. Will they do the right thing when it comes to the build out of the space. Most likely not.

It’s again, unpredictable. We don’t know. Maybe they’ll do a fantastic job with the buildout but they just don’t value the design. Or they do value the design and they’re thinking about how they can afford it. Either way the communication has gone dark.

When it comes to situations like this you can do two things. You can worry and think on it and not do anything or you can reach back out to them and see if they had any questions. Ensure they received it and understand what the next steps are.

This is what I plan to do.

Don’t let the conversation die. Until they tell you no. This happens all the time with us, we get timid. We shy away from asking the hard questions. Getting out there and selling.

You have to push a little to get the actual no. Once you get the no, then fine. That project is not going to move forward until then you have to assume they are pondering the situation. You have answers to the questions they have. So reach back out and see if you can alleviate some of the insecurities they might be having with moving forward.

We don’t always take criticism well.

I know I struggle with it. I get wrapped up in the connection with my self worth and the value of my work. It becomes a reflection of who I am. What I’m capable of.

How I made the decisions I did? Why I took that direction over another. It all comes from inside me. My idea. My emotions. My reactions to the spaces.

I become connected with my work. Don’t you take your designs seriously. Don’t you put everything you have into them.

Then you start to get feedback. It can hurt.

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Nov 28, 2019 at 2:43am PST

Especially when it’s delivered poorly. But we have to learn to accept the feedback to embrace the criticism. It’s not a reflection of you.

Remind yourself this. It’s only a comment a difference of opinion on execution of your idea. What might they have done differently.

Don’t forget, it’s so much easier to comment on something that already exists than it is to create from scratch.

Creating is the hard part. You did the hard part. Now you’re getting a reaction to the work you did. You want your work to create strong emotional reactions.

The artist who has work in a museum. If they were a fly on the wall, they might hear people say, “I could do that.”

Have you ever heard that or said that then actually tried to do that thing. You don’t really know you can do it until you actually try to create it. You find it’s harder than it looks.

We envision the ideal in our heads. How we want them to look. We believe we have the skill to pull it off, but when executed it just falls flat.

If you’ve ever tried to create something you know what I mean. It’s not easy. And you have to take the passing comment for what it’s worth.

You have to mine out the gold from those comments. The ones that matter. The ones that could make a positive impact on the project. That feedback combined with your execution create better work.

They elevate your designs. Architecture is a team effort. As much as I sometimes want it to just be me. Here is my design now built it just like this. It doesn’t work that way.

There’s always feedback. Always revisions and changes that can enhance the design and or otherwise destroy it. You have to be able to recognize valid comments. Learn to mine out the gold from everyone’s comments and keep pushing forward.

I don’t want this to come across the wrong way, but you have to start saying no. You have to say no to the wrong things. To things that go against your values. Things that disrupt your Architectural process. Things that conflict with who you are.

To provide the best for those people you say yes to, you need to say no to some other people.

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Nov 28, 2019 at 2:34am PST

Start being selective with your clients. Only work with the best people. Yes will cost you more in the long run than you could ever imagine. Decisions you make now affect your future possibilities.

Make sure what you are saying yes to is the most important thing for you to be doing right now. Make sure it’s something that gets you excited. Derek Sivers said There is no yes. You are either saying hell yes to someting or it’s a now.

First, does it align with your values? Second, is it an opportunity that will progress you forward to becoming the person you want to be? And third. Will it be fun?

Those are the questions I ask before saying yes. I’m working on it anyway. You need your own framework. How will you decide what you give your attention to?

Stop telling people yes right away. You have to think things over. Understand what it is they are asking and how it’s going to impact you and your goals. Your default should be no. If it’s not an immediate no then it should be, let me check my availability.

If you’re good and have thought things over and can take on the opportunity then it’s a yes. Sometimes you just know it’s something you want to do…

I have a habit of saying yes to way too much. I’ve been pushing back a little to see the impacts of saying no. At first you feel guilty. It feels wrong. Like your letting the person down.

Then you start to feel ok and eventually relieved that you passed on the opportunity.

Now don’t start saying no to get around responsibilities. When you say yes to something, either in the past or future. There will be things that come with that yes. Responsiblities.

You need to fulfill those. This shows you the importance of making the right decision during the process of selecting what it is your going to take on.

Once you’ve taken on that responsibility you have to fulfill it. You have to complete what you set out to do. People are relying on you. They depend on what it was you agreed to do. So complete that thing and learn from the experience.

Would you say yes to that project again in the future. Should you agree to the same things. Were there some things you would change? Make note of them. Keep tabs. You can’t grow in the future unless you keep track of the past.

So to wrap this up. Focus on what’s important. Understand that when you say yes to something you’re saying no to many other things. Don’t say yes unless it’s a hell yes. Your default should be no. But live up to responsibilities you have already agreed to.

Be professional.

Architects don’t have to be starving artist. Artist don’t even have to be staring artist. It’s upsetting when I hear about Architects working for pennies. The story of the starving artist is ingrained in some of us. We’re told, if you do what you love you will never make much money.

It’s promoted by leaders of the firms to keep the younger staff in line. Don’t expect too much.

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Nov 10, 2019 at 2:14pm PST

If you go into medicine or law, you will make money. Architecture on the other hand is for the love of it. You have to do what you love. That will be enough.

Have you been told a similar thing? Don’t let that grab hold. Reject it. Don’t let that sink in. I’m telling you right now to reject the small thinking. Reject the negative thoughts surrounding the money side of architecture.

Instead, figure out how you’ll make money. How will you break the stereotype? How will you be different? A lot of things in life come from our perception and attitude. What is it you believe in?

I have this belief, we set our own path. We create what is in front of us. Part of it is direction and action and the other part chance. Positive outlook allows us the observe chance and recognize opportunities.

How can I change the amount of money I make by having a positive attitude?

It’s strange how the human mind works. I don’t have all the scientific terms or understanding behind it, but let’s get into it anyway. When we think positively. When we believe certain things to be true. Those things will present themselves as truths.

Our mind will make them become reality. If you search for the bad in things you will find it. Your mind will make the thing happen. The same is true for the other side of the spectrum. If you have a problem and you know there is a positive side your will find it. Because you are human and we are able to solve problems when we put our mind to an issue.

We resolve it. Tell yourself one thing over and over. Your mind will want to make that thing a reality. It will search for ways to make it true for you. I don’t necessarily believe it’s some woo woo stuff. What your brain is doing is more down to earth than that.

By thinking positively, you’ll be open to possible opportunities. Opportunities you might not have noticed otherwise. You’ll be searching for answers in daily occurrences. This is how we work. When you think on something, when you have determination, you can make it happen. It only takes one more element.

Time.

Time is the last ingredient. Life is not overnight. Work on a problem over the course of time and you will resolve it. This is what you have to do with your money. Don’t obsess over it but look at your problem objectively with a positive attitude.

You work hard. You create value in the world. That value will come back to you.

You’ve met with your client and discovered all the answers to your questions. You’re now tasked at designing a space that meets your clients goals. Solves a particular problem.

If you don’t have a clear vision on your clients goals go back and ask more questions.

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Nov 3, 2019 at 3:45pm PST

You need to create a space that would serve your client. Now start putting together the design for the eventual client presentation. You’re going to have to illustrate how you arrived at the solution you did.

Now you might’ve been taking your client on the journey all along. Bouncing sketches back and forth. Or it may be they haven’t seen much drawing from you yet. One thing I have to mention. If at all possible, meet in person to go over your design. Don’t send it via email and say what do you think.

You need to walk them through the story. There is a story. And you should be able to illustrate that story. The key to being able to tell that story is to document your process along the way. Document as you create. This allows you to go back through the story and show how you arrived at the solution you did.

There were hours and hours put into the design. You should have some materials to support it. Take all this. Anything that lead to the final design and put it into a presentation or case study. Something you can then take your client though. It should explain the problem. Show the challenges overcome to resolve that problem and the final result.

If you show up with concepts to your meeting. You haven’t finished your work as the designer. Be honest one concept is better than the other. You like one more. It solves the clients problem. That is the solution.

Presenting concepts to make the client feel involved is not the right solution. You get them involved by getting feedback along the way. There should be touch points in your process. Places were you check-in and have your assumptions clarified. You shouldn’t be going into the final presentation with assumptions. Those need to be resolved long before that meeting.

If you’ve done this. You cleared all the assumptions. You have eliminated all the possible concepts and narrowed it down to one. Walk into your presentation with the best and only solution to the problem.

Illustrate your idea. Telling the story of how it addresses the problem and meets the clients goals.

Who is your client? This is important to know. Who are they? What are their struggles? What are their fears and what provides joy?

We struggle with asking the hard questions when it comes to our clients. We don’t dig deep enough into their personal life.

What does it mean to be them? What’s it like?

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Oct 29, 2019 at 2:11am PDT

How can you design for someone you don’t understand. Someone you haven’t connected with. Are they a mystery? You ever wonder if your client is going to like your design? If so, it’s because you don’t understand them and the challenges they’re trying to overcome.

You need to understand them.

How do you get to the point of knowing your client? What do you do to get them to open up to you?

You have to listen empathetically.

You have to pay attention to what they’re telling you. Sounds simple, right. We all think we’re listening, but are you? Your client wants you to be successful when it comes to designing their space. They want to have a space that solves their problem.

You need to comprehend the problem. This means you need to dig deep into their personal life. It might feel weird. I know. You entered into their life and you start asking all these questions.

They don’t know how to respond. As the Architect you need to listen more. When you listen actually listen. Let the words soak in. Don’t wait to talk. Don’t plan your next question. Actually listen to the answers they’re providing. Don’t be judgemental or confirming.

Meaning don’t give your opinion unless asked about your opinion. When a client expresses frustrations, we have a tendency to confirm the frustration. To break the possible awkwardness. We say, “Oh same with me.” Or “I went through the same thing.” We want to relate it to one of our experiences.

You don’t need to justify or accept what it is they are telling you. You don’t need to confirm their feelings. It will start to shut them down.

In your mind you are agreeing or disagreeing with what people tell you all the time. You process what it is against your own experiences. I’m trying to say let that go and focus on the feelings they are expressing to you. Reflect back those feelings.

This is listening with empathy. It’s different than our normal response to things. You have to practice responding. Focus on listening and reflecting the feeling back to the client.

They feel overwhelmed. You let them know that you hear they feel overwhelmed. This understanding allows them to open up with deeper feelings.

You’re trying to get real answers there. Real answers to hard questions. Questions that will determine the design of their space.

A design that solves a deep problem of theirs. A design that creates a better life. A design that promotes habits and marks real change for the better in your clients lives.

Listening empathetically will allow you to do this. It’s not easy. It’s extremely difficult and I need serious practice being able to do it.

We all have things we’re struggling with. We connect with the other human condition and want to provide a solution in the moment.

The pain others might be going through. We want to elevate it let them know their not alone. But now is not the time. The solution will come through the design.

Once you have listened they will seek your advice. How do we resolve the issue?

This will be your design.

There are a lot of places that can symbolize home for us. We can have more than one place that’s considered home.

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Oct 20, 2019 at 3:07am PDT

I have my home here in the city but I also have the home I grew up in. A house I still consider it to be home.

People say home is where the heart is and home is where you have your things. But what is it that creates a home?

It’s not a house alone that makes a home. A house somehow gets converted into your home.

Living in a space. Having experiences that shape who we are. Having deep seeded memories of a place. Things you can’t forget.

It’s more than a house. It can be a city or region. I often think of the area surrounding my home. The neighborhood. The context surrounding the house that is my home.

It’s a strange feeling when you sit and think about the concept of home. You have all these visuals pop into your head and most of my visuals are from my childhood home. It must be the home that resonates with me more than any other. The one I connect to most.

Take a moment and think about your home. Or homes. Which one stands out most to you? Do you identify with one more than the other? Are there memories you can’t forget?

As an Architect you’re creating a space for those memories. You’re creating a backdrop for other people to experience life. It’s an influential thing you’re doing.

Have you let that sink in? Have you taken the time to realize the impact you’re having? What you create could affect generations of families. Let that sink in if it hasn’t already.

You never want to be guessing or making assumptions when it comes to client work. In architecture there are a lot of questions you need to be asking. Get the answers you need to be successful with the project.

A post shared by Marc Sawyer (@wwsarchitecture) on Oct 13, 2019 at 3:50am PDT

When it comes to getting information don’t hold back. It will feel like a lot of questions. One after another. But you need the information to get the best result. What kinds of questions do you ask as part of your process?

I ask things about their lifestyle. How they use the space currently. What’s not working about the space? What does success look like on this project? What would failure look like? How would they feel if this project never happened? Why have they decide to start now? Why do they want to work with me specifically?

These questions are trying to get to the inner desires for the project. Why they finally got motivated to make the change and why they have selected me to work with.

I’ve found a lot of people struggle when it comes to giving feedback on their passions. Ask someone what they are passionate about and it will result in a very stunned look. They either know and are too timid to tell you because they’re not used to others asking or they have no idea.

No one has asked about their passions before. Or their current relationship with their family. Or their financial situation.

Do they have the financial planning to take on the project? Not only the project, but to also meet other financial goals for their household.

The last thing I want to do is contribute to someones financial stress. I would rather them save up and hold off on the project or not do it at all, than to get into more unmanageable debt.

A family in financial strain will tear it apart.

Any clever design we come up with would be weight against the worry and suffocation debt causes.

I feel strongly about this. You have to get deeper. How will this project impact other areas of their life? Are they best served by doing this project now?

Find out what goals your clients have outside of the project. Life goals.

These will drive a project as much as or more than surface level goals of more storage space in the kitchen.

Dig deep. Ask questions then ask more questions.