Key Findings from the Process of Being Selected as a Potential Partner In other, the lack of specific expertise on the market forces architects to import professionals with the skills from abroad. In more competitive markets the difficulties often come from the short supply of professionals. In our deeper interviews with the community, we heard that exploring new partners in untouched fields or new tasks is the biggest frustration, as well as a nerve-wracking responsibility. Problems with soft skills like communication and collaboration styles were highlighted also by 10.8% of architects and 7.1% of consultants, and commitment or attitude by 9.2% and 7.1% respectively.Ĭhallenges with partners’ availability were marked by 15.4% of architects and 14.3% of consultants, whereas cost aspects are frustrating to 9.2% of architects and 7.1% of engineers & consultants. Integrity or transparency issues were flagged by 10.8% of architects and 21.4% of consultants. Looking at the perception of the process of finding the partners, 56.3% of engineers and consultants stated that it’s hard for them to find the right ones, with 37% of architects also confirming issues on that front.ĭigging deeper into the problems that the community is facing when selecting new partners -quality and accuracy in vision proved problematic for 23.1% of architects and 14.3% of consultants & engineers. Lastly, the importance of the cost was selected as one of the key elements of the mix by only 20% of engineers, with an interesting low of 7.1% in the case of the architects. Interestingly though, in our survey creativity was selected as an important characteristic of a future partner only by 8.6% of architects, and by none of the engineers or consultants that took part in the research. In the further interviews with the architects, we heard multiple times that the dynamics of collaboration, attitude, co-creativity, and learning from each other are one of the key areas they appreciate when working with their external partners. It was brought up by 25.7% of architects and 20% of consultants. Already existing relationship is decisive for only 8.6% of architects and 6.7% of engineers.Īn interesting aspect that came up in our survey was the importance of soft skills and collaboration fit. Integrity and reliability got 35.7% and 20%, whereas portfolio and proven track record received 14.3%, 26.7% respectively. When asked about what’s the most important when they are looking for a partner, skills and expertise were key for 37.1% of architects and 26.7% of consultants. Save this picture! © ivector | Shutterstock

Key Aspects of Selecting Partners for Architecture Projects This means that the very initial stage of the project, the moment when the inspiration takes place, is also the critical moment to be on their radar. Some of the architects we spoke to mentioned that the partner selection has an actual influence on their design: “I design keeping in mind the contractor that will be executing the project”.

No matter the project stages when the partner will be needed -58.8% of the respondents select their future partners at the very beginning of the project. 84% have an influence on selecting partners for the construction stage, out of which 41.7% do it always and 58.3% depending on the project. Looking at the construction stages, the influence of the architecture offices leading the design remains strong. Only 30% of architects cover all the design stages within their office, confirming the collaboration aspect is critical from the very early stages of architecture projects. 70% of architects surveyed need and select partners in the design stage, out of which 32.9% collaborate externally on a regular basis, and 67.1% depending on the project. The key finding of the research is that the majority of architects and architecture offices take a very active part in selecting partners working on their projects - they are the key decision-makers or influencers in this process.

Architect design partnership