Architecture is war
(And how it applies to your renovation)
“The talent of the strategist is to identify the decisive point and to concentrate everything on it, removing forces from secondary fronts and ignoring lesser objectives.”
“Architecture is war”
What do a 18th century Prussian general and a contemporary Japanese architect have to do with your architecture project? I will show you.
If you’ve never heard of Tadao Ando, he is a legendary architect in Japan who is known for serene and poignant designs. That made his statement so jarring the first time I heard it.
Much of his designs are concrete buildings, which can steer brutal and cold in the wrong hands. But Ando can make concrete give the aura of pillows or leather when desired.
I subconsciously assumed that Ando was a peaceful, quiet, reflective guy - because that’s how his work makes me feel. And maybe he is. But what you are and what you have to be to get there are not always the same.
To achieve the effects he intended, he had to fight. We all do. And it doesn’t mean being a jerk, but you have to stand your ground and resist the forces around you.
Architects fight battles against resource constraints, client changes, regulatory hurdles, site conditions, supply chain issues, economic fluctuations, and legal issues. Any one of them could derail a project into the purgatory of the unbuilt project.
The well meaning builder who wants to do it an easier way who you have to say no to because it conflicts with the end goal.
The building department engineer who derails a project because of a typo in the building code.
The client who wants to shop for barstools when we need to design the kitchen first to see if they’ll even need them, let alone which size to buy.
^They are all true stories. I’m not immune from this either. I’d like to jump into design right away but if you believe designs are solutions to problems, it doesn’t pay to solve what you don’t fully understand.
That leads us to General Clausewitz. The general was known for his war theory. Today his ideas are taught in business schools. In fact, I first learned of him in graduate school from Cecil Balmond, a brilliant engineer who is concerned with poetic meaning as much as snow loads.
Not everyone is tasked with being a strategist, but your architect ought to be one of them. He or she can steer the ship in any direction, or no direction if they don’t have a strategy. But you can’t steer a ship to your destination without knowing where it is and what it takes to get there.
You may be thinking, “Dude, I just want an addition to my house out the back. Why are you bringing Prussian generals into this?”
Process matters as much for the billion dollar complex as it does for a kitchen. Priorities must be established, challenges anticipated, and a strategic plan crafted.
Just like in war, a thorough diagnosis is your strategic compass. It forms the bedrock upon which all decisions, designs, and solutions are built. Without a clear diagnosis, you risk wandering aimlessly, and your project may drift into the realm of unrealized dreams.
In architecture, the battle for success is as real as any war, and victory belongs to those who plan and strategize wisely. This is why you should insist that every architecture project begins with a comprehensive diagnosis before the design takes shape – because the path to victory is paved with strategic foresight and careful planning.
But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what clients who’ve undertaken this important step before design have to say:
Meet Bryan, a real estate developer in Tacoma, WA.
Faced with the decision of renting, selling, or converting his property into a main home and ADU, our Needs Analysis revealed a unique, profit-maximizing solution that wasn't publicly known. Here's what he had to say: "Andrew has been a pleasure to work with. Knowledgeable and well-versed in architecture and building codes. Very helpful and responsive to any questions or concerns. Highly recommend."
Meet Matt, a coop apartment owner in NYC.
Armed with a modest budget, he sought to transform his 550 sq. ft. apartment into a space that truly reflected his unique style. Through our Needs Analysis, we honed in on what truly mattered to him, ensuring no time or resources were wasted on anything less than transformative. Here's what Matt had to say: “Andrew quickly came up with living spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. He understood the spaces I find inspiring and was able to create a truly unique and magazine-worthy space I enjoy coming home to every night. He worked hard to bring world class design and stay within my budget. We had less than 4% of construction overages over the course of the project. I highly recommend using Andrew to transform any sized space into your dream home.
******* Still in the information gathering phase? Take a look at the resources page for free guides that will organize your thoughts and give direction to your next project.
******* And if you’re ready to start your project the right way, schedule a call with me and we’ll map out the diagnosis so you don’t end up wasting time and money spinning in circles.