I am an Associate Director at ADAM Architecture
and a Chartered Architectural Technologist,
MCIAT. ADAM Architecture (http://www.
adamarchitecture.com/) are specialists
in Progressive Classical and Traditional
Architecture, considered leaders in this field,
employing around 80 staff, we are the largest
practice of this kind in Europe and have
completed many award winning projects. ADAM
Architecture is a CIAT Registered/RIBA Chartered
Practice which employs both Chartered
Architectural Technologists and Chartered
Architects who work collaboratively alongside
one another. Without this approach to working,
I am absolutely convinced that we would not
enjoy the levels of success we have been able to
consistently achieve.
You may well ask what a Chartered Architectural
Technologist is. Well, to achieve Chartered
status is an accolade awarded by the Chartered
Institute of Architectural Technologists
(CIAT), who are the lead qualifying body
for Architectural Technology professionals,
representing those practising and studying
within the discipline. In short Chartered
Architectural Technologists are experts in the
technology of architecture.
For example, we are able to advise and help
select materials for any given location – such as
tiles in wet areas to paint finishes in Pools and
Steam Rooms – all valuable input when working
with Interior Designer’s in assisting in realising
their design vision for any single project.
Collaboration is one of those buzz words that
we hear used a lot nowadays. I am always
slightly wary of overused words because the
true impact of their meaning can often be lost
or diluted as a result. We often find that during
times of fashionable overuse, a word’s meaning
can often evolve.
But what does the word collaboration currently
mean? I believe it important to understand
the meaning at any point in time, so that the
relevance of a word or term can be understood
in context with its current use.
The Cambridge Dictionary definition of the
word is: “the situation of two or more people
working together to create or achieve the
same thing.” The questions of whether or
not collaboration is relevant in a design
environment and does it bring benefits between
professionals in design process were posed to
me?
It’s interesting, but when you understand the
meaning of the word you suddenly understand
its relevance to the way in which successful
design is driven. Collaboration as a process
provides purpose and direction, drawing on the
true value of the collaborators key core skills
and strengths, allowing those skills to be clearly
focused on. At the heart of collaboration is a
respect for one another’s key expertise.
Interior Design and Architectural Technology,
while related are not one in the same thing.
They are two specialist and distinctly differing
design disciplines that can complement one
another very well.
At ADAM Architecture, we frequently work
collaboratively with Interior Designers on
18
projects. I have found that the most successful
projects are those where this has been
considered from the outset of and continuation
of the design p rocess, rather than being
an afterthought. We understand value and
embrace collaboration to bring best value to
the design process in order to produce stunning
results. We always wish to produce a design
to the very best of our ability, placing the best
blend of talent on each and every project that
we are fortunate to be commissioned and
entrusted with.
Key consideration is given to team dynamic,
personalities, common purpose of aims and
the variety of skills necessary to ensure a
harmonious team is chosen for any single
project required to produce a well thoughtthrough design. This really is the essence of
collaborative working practice. We apply this
same approach with other consultant designers,
such as Interior Designers. You see, it is critical
for designers to work with common purpose;
otherwise a disjointed end result will transpire.
I know that this should be common sense,
but you will be amazed how easily and far too
frequently in my opinion, this is not considered
or managed in the construction industry.
Interior Architecture and Interior Design are
two different areas of design. I often find that
the easiest way to describe the difference is by
using the analogy of imagining a building as a
simple ‘Dolls House’ and if you picked it up and
shook it, all that dropped out, such as loose
furniture, pictures on walls, etc. is known as FF
& E – Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment and
would be classed as Interior Design.