The Architect’s Role: Importance, Satisfaction, and Collaboration

As an architect, the feeling of importance and accomplishment can fluctuate day by day. Despite this variability, architecture remains a practical and impactful profession. Projects are created, public health and safety are protected, and problems are resolved through various tasks that, although small or unglamorous, all feel important to me.

Importance and Accomplishment

Feeling important and feeling accomplished are two distinct emotions. While I would prefer to feel a sense of accomplishment, architecture in general has provided me with a sense of fulfillment. However, this satisfaction is subjective and can vary based on employment, personal life, professional goals, and other individual factors.

Problem Solving and Teamwork

Many of the daily tasks in architecture involve problem-solving. When I successfully solve a problem for a client or the team, it feels like an important contribution to the process. Conversely, sometimes I struggle to solve problems, or someone else comes up with the solution. This is not about competition but rather teamwork.

The emotion I experience at the end of a productive day is satisfaction. Over time, I have acquired the position, skills, and role in daily work incrementally, making my role feel natural and normal. I work collaboratively and do not view myself as performing a special role, even if I am a specialist within the team. I often gravitate towards leadership positions and was appointed a Project Manager relatively early in my career. This role feels natural and “right,” whether working on large or small projects.

Architecture as a Collaborative Art

While architects often feel important when creative solutions bring smiles to users and clients, the reality is that architecture is a highly collaborative process involving hundreds of people with various qualifications and backgrounds. There are times when architects are merely 'cogs in a machine' or 'shoe shine boys,' but this is based on effective teamwork and good relationships.

Within the space between providing excellent client service and meeting functional, procedural, and regulatory requirements, there is sometimes a small gap to create something interesting, elegant, exciting, or unusual. When we are lucky enough to spot these gaps or manage to create space for them, we can produce remarkable and cool stuff. However, for the vast majority of us, we are not really 'important.'

Conclusion

The architect's role is a blend of personal satisfaction, collaborative teamwork, and occasional notoriety. While not everyone feels important every day, the architectural profession as a whole is a rewarding and impactful career, driven by the passionate and collaborative efforts of architects.