Three Top Characteristics of A Successful Architect

Architecture is a lucrative, competitive industry. The successful architect must be creative, efficient, attentive to details, and able to operate under strict budgets and looming project deadlines. Commercial architects must be even more disciplined and organized than architects in the residential sector. We will discuss the top three characteristics of a successful architect to stand out and move ahead of the in the commercial architecture industry.

1. Creativity

Perhaps the most critical characteristic of a successful architect is creativity. As a successful architect, your creative ideas must also be practical and achievable within specific deadlines, defined budgets and meet your client’s expectations. You may have designed the best 17th century inspired office building complete with moat and drawbridge, but the reality is that it will most likely never see the light of day in the real world. You must combine creativity with conservative, practical, and modern design techniques that will not only meet the demand and the intended purpose of the building project, but also financial projections and client satisfaction. In essence, a quality you must possess to be a successful architect is what can only be defined as “controlled creativity”. As an architect, you are rarely going to be given a blank check and complete creative license over a project. The key is to walk the fine line between creative, practical, and budget considerations. Once you master this critical skill, you will be a much more professional,  productive architect.

2. Organization

A top-tier successful architect must understand and demonstrate organization. With all of the project details, client requests, budget constraints, building codes, project deadlines, and last minute updates and changes, organization is absolutely critical. Even with modern technologies such as tablets, smart phones, and modern software, a successful architect must be organized and detail oriented in all facets of the project from start to finish. This is especially true in commercial architecture. Businesses and corporations tend to be less flexible with time schedules and budgets than residential customers. The old adage “time is money” has never been more important when dealing with a commercial property client. Impeccable organization is a key to ensuring each project is completed on time, within the budget, and to the client’s satisfaction.

3. Communication

A successful architect must be well spoken and professional in presentations and interactions with potential and current clients. To be more specific, by communicating details assertively, ensuring mutual understanding, and reaching clear agreements, you will mitigate unnecessary conflict and promote healthy client relationships. Your clients will be more receptive to your ideas when your verbal and written communication skills are sharp and professional. Excellent communication skills will impact your ability to sell your services to prospective clients, and promote your clients’ faith in you as a professional in your field. Take advantage of the opportunity to employ your communication skills in writing.  Network with other architects via online forums and blogs dedicated to modern design to stay informed of the trends in architecture as a whole. Make sure you use these media to learn as much as you can each and every day about the architecture industry.  You will then stay on top of changing industry standards, changes in building materials, and modern design trends. We have discussed the most important qualities of a successful architect in this article. Obviously these qualities are not the only deciding factors in a successful architecture career, whether residential or commercial, but they are the most important qualities to adopt, possess, and improve upon every day to insure a lasting career in architecture. If you combine the three top qualities of a successful architect that we have talked about in this article, you are on track to a meaningful, inspirational, and successful career.