Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsLet them Eat Cake
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2015
This book was very helpful for understanding many of the legal issues which an aspiring architect will encounter. The little stories and anecdotes make the life lessons more palatable and therefore more memorable.
Some parts of the book may have an unrealistic bias in the direction of the architect. For example he states clearly that each change order needs the signature of the client, the contractor and the architect. Then, the "Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice" will tell you that often the client will be unwilling or unresponsive to these changes and it may become the only option to document change orders so as to make certain a solid paper trail remains in place.
He says when you go to sleep with dogs, you wake up with fleas. He is stating that if you do business with less than terrific clients you may run into trouble. Sadly however some younger or less experienced professionals will not have our pick of the litter with our clients, and therefore may have to get our hands a little dirty from time to time.
He implies that each form, document, request etc be on a physical piece of paper. In the twenty first century this should all be done electronically. While this may seem like a small matter, it is my opinion that this way of thinking typifies the attitudes and behaviors which are holding architects back and allowing ground to be lost to engineers and "project managers"
He talks about Howard Roark, the protagonist of the classic Ayn Rand Novel "The Fountainhead" as a poor model for architect. I agree that we have to be willing to make some sacrifices and work to make our clients happy. Yet he is dismissive of any practice remotely unfavorable the architect such as GMP cost structures for architects' fees. I argue that if contractors can provide this GMP service should the architect not also strive to? On one hand we can strive for professionalism, but I continue to observe many construction projects executed with vertically integrated design build teams, probably with GMPs and/or Cost plus fee. Sure this is a lean and mean approach to building, but architects are loosing ground big time here on these projects.
He suggests that clients be required to submit a minimum initial payment, so as to cover the expenses of the first months operating cost of the practice. This could be difficult for small fledgling practice to expect. Then he suggests that this can be withheld in case of a dispute. Does this mean we just take the clients' money if we don't agree?
Still a great book and highly recommended just having a few growing pains here.
