Reflections on Architectural Practice: Year 2

October 28th, 2024 (revised December 12th)

Samyn D'Elia Architects

Image generated by Sean McGadden

After over two years of architectural practice I have encountered a vastly different set of entanglements with the art and science of constructing buildings. People with money on the line drive this process more than any ideology, material or method. The people involved have everything to do with the outcome. The wrong team will hurt efficiency of projects and methods.

The interplay of personalities and cultures have proved more indicative of the way a building realizes itself than anything else. Of course, execution is an essential starting point for anything special to occur. I see more and more how you work with people and yourself through this process will go further than even the most rigorous technical skill or talent. Many people have ideas and expressions which they hold very close to their entire sense of self. Whether it is the client, designer, contractor or consultant, it is clear to me that internal beliefs and values will be the most significant imperative toward the completion of a project of high craft and quality. The management of the design process is like a soft and supple thing which should be treated gently and with care. I am consumed by the complexities and nuances of such an endeavor. There is no space for rushed exaggerations or embellishments except for suddenly when it becomes the only choice (ha). It seems more and more true to me that ambitious projects and educated, intentional clients demand an inherent pursuit of perfection. This undoubtedly takes time but must be realized in a timely manner. The ever marching dials across the tablet.

I see more now, in my inexperience, that at times I am far too eager and excitable to contain my intensity while I'm embedded in a project. So many interests are constantly at play when considering a project of high value and craft. I see now that a quickness of decision making and focus through the fray of possibilities becomes a bastion toward my own professional development. I am becoming more and aware of the relationship between all interested parties. As the architect we represent everyone. This concept boggles my mind at times. I wonder how we can advocate for the builders profit margins and total material sales while also advising our client who carries the bag. This becomes especially valuable if the construction manager and the manufacturer are combined. The ability for the architect to specify materials that drive toward aesthetic efforts of the client is a paradoxical pursuit and riddled with emotional turbulence. Even more of a tight rope is when you consider the happiness of the client and to what extent they even believe in your expertise and ability as an architect. (Hopefully enough because they wanted to hire you in the first place). Yet the synchronicity that is necessary among these camps is only possible with an architect of strong directive and parity. Soon, I will see more of this canvas and understand better how my brush can wash its surface with certainty, beauty and value.

Image generated by Sean McGadden

Personally I have attempted to direct myself inward, toward a more disciplined, conservative and reserved architectural design process which has put pressure on my ability and forced me to improve my technical understanding of the tools I manipulate and use to initialize designs. However, I have lacked in many ways at improving my skills at communication verbally and in my demeanor toward problems. Brute force is at times my method. Finesse needs contemplation. I have done less thinking and more doing in the past year. Perhaps my drawings have ascended in their informational and instructive qualities, but my own social adhesion to the teams I must interact with is still limited in its potential. I find that collaboration is at times extremely useful and necessary and other times it is important to get closer to a flow state and produce drawings. The balance between separating from the problem to ask questions and simply facilitating my own solution to the problem has proved divisive.

I will admit I am a crass, blunt, unforgiving team member. Most likely because I am aware of my own shortcomings. I project perfection to compensate for my limitations. My inexperience and youth feeds the ignorance of a smaller dictionary of less expensive mistakes. I have yet to be sued, demeaned and cheated to be hardened toward a more careful patient process. This affords me the arrogance of a quick decisioning making system. I recognize how this allows me to be very swift on my feet and ensure the continuity of a smaller project. It also means that I am sometimes inconsistent when larger projects and systems are in place requiring more meticulous coordination. I understand how my less lengthy considerations do not contribute to a well oiled design process for working with many kinds of people from many walks of life on projects of much larger scope, budget and impact.

My intuition is all I have right now. It leads me most of the way. The rest of the way I cannot solve with small libraries of knowledge and quick decision making. I see how I must humble myself more when negotiating with others toward a common goal. At times this protocol feels nebulous yet it remains a process which I must acquiesce to. This contends with my intense lack of respect for authority. I find it limiting and slow toward fast paced innovation. I use the term innovation knowing my limited experience of what real grit, violence, money and labor is required toward a true breakage from convention. I see more and more how process and protocol are invaluable to ensure quality and consistency. After all, reputation and execution are only determined by the consistency of improved deliverables.

This past year has been an exploration into much more rigorous and interesting assemblies and full scale implementations of high budget designed building initiatives. These attempts wade toward complete works of art in high end luxury hotel interior architectural detailing and just as far into building science with multiple layering of structural and decorative connections.

There is much yet to learn. I can see even now, my emotional attachment to my work will have its weaknesses in that I will become overly dismissive when I should listen or far too eager when I should be strategizing. My drawing ability can always be better yet my humility and curiosity will prove to be the most useful skills in my next year of professional practice.

Images generated by Sean McGadden