Can Smaller Architectural Firms do Large Projects ?
Roelof Rabe Director , Roelof Rabe Architects roelof @ roelofrabe . co . za
I am a strong believer that there is a place in the sun for everybody , but when it comes to selecting an architectural firm for your project , it normally makes sense to size the architectural firm in accordance with the size or complexity of the project . But is this the only way ?
Most of us architects have tendered or quoted on a project just to find out that we are competing with small firms , or even one-man-shows , who work from their backrooms with illegal software . And then they lack the skills and infrastructure to execute the project tendered on .
But when considering an architectural firm to do your large projects ( R500 Million to R1.5 Billion construction cost ) one should look at all the following criteria instead of size only :
Design Flair Everything starts with a thought and in most cases , buildings are the manifestations of the architect ’ s thoughts . There is no substitution for good design . Good design will make your
building beautiful , buildable and within your budget . It will further contribute to saleability of your project ensuring a feasible outcome .
Continuity Granted that a firm that is too small or a one-man-show will not suffice even though they have their own place in the sun . The firm must be able to offer continuity at a similar professional level when the key architectural professional is incapacitated or on leave . In other words , the firm must be able to provide its professional services seamlessly in case of unforeseen change in resources .
Technology Technology is key when a smaller firm is considered for a big project . It is quite simply not possible for a small company to deliver works information at the highest level of quality and on time if the firm is not up to date with the latest , cutting-edge
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