Are you experienced at planning facilities that support success at your organization? 

If the answer is no, you are not alone...but that's OK.  You may find some solace in the fact that even the folks who did go to architecture school may not know how to design a "successful" project.  "Successful"...that is,...as defined by you, not the architectural community.  Too often the design community is driven by their own personal agenda's and preconceived notions rather than leading the design which grows out of an understanding of your organization's view of success.

It's unlikely that the success you have found in your own organization is based upon your expertise in planning, designing, building, and/or operating buildings.  This shouldn't mean that you should settle for a built environment that does anything less than promote excellence in your organization.

Some designers argue that this approach somehow stifles creativity.  This is a farce.  The correct process that grows out of client understanding informs creativity with real life context for how the project can help their clients in addition to being great architecture. This creates an even more fertile ground for creativity because once the Understanding is communicated, the entire team is part of the creative process, not just a lone wolf designer.

The following are the key elements in the process to acheive a successful built environment:

Understand – inspiration through discovery

Understanding who a client is and how a project can help contribute their overall success is critical.  Listening before design begins is a vital step towards understanding, but it must be combined with informed questioning, critique and analysis to create a solid foundation for each project.

Lead – reaching higher through collaboration

True leadership is empowering a collaborative team to achieve results above and beyond client expectations and requirements. A collaborative process must be lead by optimizing the input and buy-in from project stakeholders and provides a clearly defined path to success. 

Design – outgrowth of understanding

Design is envisioning a built environment that embodies a client’s vision, image and view of success.  Excellent design is a balance of functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, innovation, durability, operational efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Create – uniting design and construction

Facilitating teamwork between designers, contractors and the owner allows for great designs to become great buildings.  The highest quality design reflective of the client’s vision and needs must be expertly documented and developed in conjunction with Owner and the construction team to efficiently and effectively build the project, assuring long term viability and operability of the facility.

Succeed – Always reaching higher

Architecture is not an end in itself; it is a vehicle to find greater success for the owner.  The implementation of this process creates a built environment that supports success.  Success of the project relates directly to the projects ability to meet and exceed the requirements set in the Understanding phase of the project.  The client is the only gage for determining if a project is successful.

Optimize – maximizing efficiency and longevity

Understanding what makes the client successful allows the designer to be well equipped to advise how the built environment can promote that success and oversee its realization.  There are opportunities at each phase of a project for optimization.  Maximum utilization of resources, teamwork and processes are essential. 

Following this process is not easy at first due to the requirements to understand before acting; listening before talking; working as a team vs. alone; but facile leaders understand that the process leads to exceptional results.  Each time the process is followed it becomes more integral to the culture of the team.

Share your thoughts on this subject by emailing Bob Reid, AIA, LEED AP at collaborate@elevatearchitects.com.  Bob is the founder of ELEVATE architects+collaborators, an architecture, planning and leadership firm in Philadelphia, PA.