6 Tips for Architects. Finding the right Engineers.

Architects. Are you getting back from your engineers the same effort that you put into your projects?

Wanna know why?....

It is very probable that you have been fighting; and scrapping to be creative. Perhaps you are still waiting for that time where the REAL essence of your designs live long enough in the minds of your clients, so that they are built the way they should be built. You have a hunch that everyone will thank you for your perseverance... eventually.

If only you had back up, just when you needed it the most. Sterotypically the contractor is more interested in getting on and off the job in the quickest time, with as little fuss as possible. They are delivered to you complete with 'eye rolling' one liners like "I've worked for 20 years on countless home builds, and not one client ever complained about the finish of their door knobs!"

Even the presence of an educated colleague, the professionally qualified engineer - does little to further your cause. Economy, practicality, buildability are the engineers mantras. "Give the client mediocre and cheap design, and they will love you for it!"

Architects know different, they know that mentality will not be rewarded in the long term. It will definitely not have a strong enough appeal to get you automatically novated to the next build project.

Times are changing though. Contractors are slicker, they understand that sexy design and quality finish pays for itself, time and time again. Engineers are remembering how they achieved so much success in business in the past, and once more they are flashing their personalities and creative side.

If you find yourself regularly referring work to structural engineers, it would be a fair assumption that these projects are the ones which you yourself have been personally recommended to by a recent or previously satisfied client. It is also very likely that you have not had to endure a beauty pageant style bidding process to land it either. They trust your judgement.

The following 6 helpful hints have been developed to be of value to your practice on any given construction project; but have a particular potentcy if your clients are homeowners or developers, and your those projects are residential in scale.

The next time that you hand a list of preferred engineering partners to your valuable clients, think on these points. You may find yourself forging new and ever more productive relationships with some of your biggest fans and game changers... Structural Engineers.

I thought that I would start you with an obvious one first...

1. Insurances and qualifications. Very important, as this protects you, the client, and contractors from footing the bill for costly engineering mistakes. In certain countries [some US states included] it is legally required that engineers must be professionally accredited before before being able to certify design calculations. Elsewhere, even though it has been said that academic and professional qualifications alone, are not necessarily proof that you have the best suited engineer for the job - they do however, give you and your client a great deal of peace of mind. Professionally qualified engineers the world over will have been pier reviewed, and essentially have built up enough experience to know their limits. They also understand where they can bring real value to your project. Stack the odds heavily in everyone's favour by referring the professionals.

2. Engineers are not just a technical resource. You probably heard this a lot in college or university, and the reason why you heard it a lot is because it's true! Engineers are your reinforcements. If you got a problem, they'll solve it, and if properly utilised they are adept in helping you maintain control over a project brief. If you consider this to be the start of a REAL relationship, then engineers [in most cases] represent the realist 'Yin' to your dreamer 'Yan'. They can just as easily make the most amazing things come to life, as well as put the breaks on certain illogical project decisions. So let them in on your dreams. You will be surprised with the results.

3. Engineers can be an extension of your businesses personality and vision, and their solutions reflect upon your hard work and creativity. Do not introduce them to your valuable clients as the 'party poopers'. If you feel this way about them, then find another engineer to partner with. Should you chose to refer them, bare in mind that they need to not only accentuate your branding and image [incredibly important], but assist your client with understanding why they made the right choice by selecting you as their architect.

4. Finding a competent engineering resource is easy. Let's face it, they know what they are doing - but who wants to be known ONLY as being competent? So insist that the engineers you refer to clients are engaging, thoughtful and live to share knowledge externally, as well as within the design team environment. You may go through a number of engineers before you find the right practice, group or freelancer who 'gets' what it is that you are selling, but don't give up too easily. Watch the online forums for that spark of interest, and talk to them if they drop in on your institutions meetings.

5. Social entrepreneurship and interaction. You want engineers to openly share, and use their personal marketing efforts to help you sell your ideas to your clients too. Mentioning to a client that your preferred engineer is innovative and an award winner, may only result in them scrutinising the fee estimates as they roll in, "so how much extra am I paying for my award winning engineer then?". This is not condemning an engineers need to be brave, and to take on exceptional projects briefs, but more a criticism of the fact that many clients will not realise what it is that an engineer can do for them. What you really want to hear from your clients are responses like "Ooo I've heard of them!", or "they're the ones who ......fill in blank here..... aren't they?". Promoting a sense of family in the community, fills us all up with a satisfying glow, which if nurtured can lead to enticing, powerful and productive project relationships. Take advantage of this by looking out for these socially dynamic behaviours from your engineering neighbours.

6. Distance and localism. I'd like to finish off with another obvious one. Engineers are certainly more likely to be able to attend a larger number of site meetings if they are selected for projects which have a close proximity to their offices. When the majority of your projects are regional, then instruct engineers who are in or very close to that region. My experience has shown me that engineers [due to logistical reasons] are far more responsive and able to act upon design developments and unforeseen circumstances, because of that closeness. This statement by no means represents every single engineer or practice in the world, but it is a preference that you should be taking a very seriously. Note: specialisms in certain construction techniques, or a very strong preference towards a particular engineer may force you to consider non-local help. If so, then consider asking the preferred engineer to seek to partner with another local engineer to provide a 'site support service', incase of complications. If you refer engineers who are naturally more open and collaborative, then this should not be too daunting for them. Engineers are problem solvers - they will find a way to make it work for the benefit of the project.

I hope you found my hints and tips useful. It's time that you get out there and begin asking some hard questions about the contributions of some of your engineering colleagues.

Engine[er]


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Location:Watton, Norfolk, United Kingdom