Very often, I hear fellow Architects complain about people abusing 'free ideas'
from young Architects and passing them on to contractors. The client’s just
misuse the preliminary design services and do their own thing. What we fail to
see is the duality to the issue. Problem starts with the over ambitious
designers out of/ still in school way too eager to get something they designed
built. They can’t go to bed peacefully after 4th year in Architecture
school if they don’t have some ‘project’ at hand. If one expects professional
treatment, one should act professional. There is no difference between a
Kashmiri Shawl or Calcutta Sari wala walking around Mumbai suburbs selling
stuff every November and a young eager Architect (are they even allowed using
the title yet?) wanting someone he/ his Dad knows to buy/ accept his design and
build it. Paise nako kaka!
I don’t have a legit source to confirm, say a survey or
something, but I bet that the most unprofessional interior and single family
home projects are completed in Navi Mumbai (not under-estimating rest of the
country). Ironically, they are designed and executed by so-called Architects/
Interior designers. There are also other breeds called ‘interior decorators’
and ‘interior Architects’. Every one of us wants our own office, wants to be
our own boss and execute our own ideas. What we fail to understand is that
Architectural services come along with a lot of responsibilities. You are not a
web-designer designing a website for a restaurant so people can order online
and make reservations. You are the restaurant. And you can’t experiment for
your pleasures at the cost of someone’s business/ dwelling. What young
designers are doing right now with fascinated clients loving birch finishes and
yellow lights over designer glass bowl sinks is clear prostitution of the
profession. And prostitutes are always bargained with. And they always complain
about what they are paid. And when they finally get a job with a desk and a
24-inch screen, their boss knows what they are. He did the same. He treats them
the same way and they quit making the ‘my office’ feeling stronger. And
eventually every young Architect complains. We have already gone too far and
there is no one day solution to this problem. Nor do I claim that I can come up
with one. But I sure see a problem.
The ‘Young Indian Architect’s Paradox’ is that they think they
can maintain their dignity by ‘not’ working for another Architect who is always
a retard and working for a client who appreciates every stupid/ intelligent
idea put in front of him. Fun begins when the client doesn't pay this
young designer, presses his own ideas, directly communicates with the
contractor and slowly pushes him out of the whole process. Confused, the young
designer claims that the client used his ideas and got it built in a shoddy
way. “I stopped working for that client; he was getting on my nerves.” The
truth is, buddy, you were never qualified enough to build it for him. Not as a
professional at least. And even if you had been involved throughout the
process, chances are that the end result would not differ much.
Problems lie on multiple levels. For instance let’s compare
the amount of time required after graduating from Architecture school to get a
license so as to legally use the title ‘Architect’ and practice as one, in the order of country, governing body and duration are as follows–
USA, NCARB, 5-7 years
London, RIBA, 3-5
years
Most of
Europe, Differs, 2-3 years
India, Council of Architecture, Right away!
NCARB, the regulating body for Architecture licensure in the
US is often criticized for the amount of time needed to get licensed. Moreover,
you need to apply separately for each of the 50 states, if you are seeking
projects in different states. So NCARB is a central body, but not really. Think
about those 5 years you work as an intern after getting your Master’s degree,
so that you can use the title and ask for that additional 10k, of course with
all the legal liabilities. No wonder why an American Architect gets furious if
you put the work ‘Architect’ on your resume at the age of 22! Following are the
titles people can freely use if they are registered in other parts of the world
and seeking work in the US:
Eurotect - European architects
Toyotect - Japanese Architects
Taichitect - Chinese Architects
Pacmantect - Philippine Architects
Currytect - India Architects
Tacotect - Mexican Architects
Pizzatect - Italian Architects
Asstect - Puerto Rican female Architects
Bulltect - Spanish Architects
Kimchitect - Korean Architects
Beertect - German Architects
HopTect - Australian Architects
Finetect - Singapore Architects
Photect - Vietnamese Architects
Shawarmatect - Middle east Architects
Halaltect - Israeli Architects
Mapletect - Canadian architects
Kisstect - French Architects
Champtect - Irish Architects
(Credits: someone with pseudo username on some Architecture
forum)
I am not against having a plain and simple registration
process which takes less than a couple of years to use the title. I hate NCARB
equally. The argument I am trying to make is that you can’t expect the society
to treat you as a ‘Starchitect’ just because you paid tuition for 5 years (one
more than those stupid engineers!). After all, didn’t you think that most of
your professors, now fellow Architects were retards and never deserved to be
Architects? Respect can’t be demanded. I think there is a dire need for young
professionals to put in more time and effort before diving head first. Choose
who you want to work for. At least complete a full project at an office. Stick
around for a bit. Don’t get lured by your aunt offering you the first project
and at the same time pushing you to get married. Travel. Even the best authors
take time to write a good book. What you are building right now is equivalent
to ‘50 shades of gray’ in literature. Sorry, does it even qualify to be part of
contemporary literature? Or is that what it is coming to? Do you hate that
book? Well, look back at yourself. After all, it is up to you. Be patient.
Don’t turn into someone you have hated for this long.
Young Architects/ students fail to understand that without
having a legitimate practice, a signed contract, a real project, a good set of
drawings and some kind of experience of getting shit done, no client is going
to pay and the projects won’t be a success. The suburbs are developing very
fast. They need your services. But don't let them buy you out for cheap. It
won't be beneficial for either of the parties. Don't whore the profession. The Tikli
Architecture/ Interior Design services are not raising the standard of
living. Take some time fellas, Architects don't have to retire till they die.
You have a lot of time! Get out of this mental burden of building something to prove yourself to the society as an Architect. You need white streaks in your hair for people to take you seriously as an Architect, and for you to find a worthy and legitimate client.
