In a world when there seem to be not enough time available for anything, the architecture industry is not exception.
If it is true that the human and physical presence on site is incredibly important, if not essential at times, it is also true that in most cases technology can help to guarantee an efficient and less stressful process.
There is no geographical limit: whether because architects and client are based in different regions / countries or temporarily away for any reason, most meetings can be carried out online, as for most industries:
Beginning of the project (feasibility and concept design): although a site visit is always very helpful, it is also true that a good documentation provided by the client (photos, existing documents, plans…) can be more than enough for a preliminary and a feasibility study. Just as for an architecture competition, when it is not always possible to visit the site, so for any project, a general overview and a clear brief are the main ingredients needed to get the process started.
Project development: in these phases there are many specific decisions that need to be taken, sometimes quickly. An efficient online meeting is working as well as, if not even better at times, than a meeting in person. Even more so, if the questions are provided prior to the meeting, which will then be the opportunity for fine tuning and confirming the final decisions.
Execution: clearly an on-site presence is necessary at this stage, but, again, this does not mean that both Clients and architect must always be present at the same time: sharing photos, video-calls and a transparent communication can work perfectly well.
The bottom line is that the use of technology doesn’t necessarily mean having to renounce to the the human side of the professional relationship: the secret is to keep up the human aspect (by listening to the needs, be available and understanding) and combining it with the appropriate tools.
Honestly, the in-person processes are not necessarily a guarantee of human connection, the opposite!
If I was convinced of this aspect prior to the creation of AFLOW architecture, I am even more convinced now, when 80% of my clients have been or are international people either living abroad, or often outside the country for professional reasons.
This means that what they require is:
Communication in English
Flexibility in the process: online meetings and exchanges via email as much as possible.
Having worked in this sense multiple times in the past years, I have started to propose online service / a combination of in-person and online services to most clients and, so far, the feedbacks are only positive.
This is why AFLOW is now proposing two different services for the very initial phases of the projects and even before, for that phase when there is the need and/or wish to develop an idea, but the uncertainty about the feasibility and fear of the project ahead.
Find out more about our online architecture consultations services here and get in touch to find out more about our approach and how we could help, wherever you are available.
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