A while ago, someone accused me of being a “rich man’s architect!” A RICH MAN’S ARCHITECT!
What does that even mean?
I have given it much thought, to an unhealthy degree. Why would the person say that? Was it something that I said? Or was it the cost estimates that hinted only the rich could afford? But the costs are linked to the client’s requirements. Or maybe it was the process and technicality in construction that only the rich could follow through? Maybe. Was it my insistence on beauty because, you know, ‘only the rich deserve beauty!’ But then again, even modesty in Architecture can be beautiful.
Either way, it needs some more thought.
Is the practice of architecture in Nairobi and Kenya at large only for the rich? The fees may suggest so, but that is something for later discussion.
It might have been implied that the same way the rich afford to have drivers, gardeners, assistants, chefs, butlers, and any service they desire is the same in hiring an architect. For the commoner, it is not a necessity but a luxury. For the rich, it is a necessity. To some, our services seem opulent. We display our finest works with out-of-this-world renders of large mansions and skyscrapers that only the rich can dream of. Maybe it is also because we are too complex in our approach to design and construction that the average man shies off from inquiring about Architectural services.
We cannot ignore the fact that construction costs in Kenya are high. The addition of consultant fees, local authorities, statutory fees, and many others augments the bill. Of course, there is a price to pay for good services and products. Nonetheless, it is possible to scale architecture to suit the budget and still remain fine. It should not be as is the case currently, that only with a certain minimum budget can you engage the services of these much-needed consultants.
I have worked for Nairobi-based architectural firms that don’t take a certain calibre of jobs, citing that they are beneath them or too low-priced to focus their resources. Inversely, I have worked in other firms and designed gatehouses. I recently even crafted a goat shed. Let us not think of survival for a moment. A qualified architect should and can help you have something quality within your budget.
I think that the sentiment is true. We have implied that architecture is for the rich, or more specifically, good, fine architecture is for the rich. Before architecture was for a distinguished select, architects would study under their masters and skills were transferred through apprenticeship. Their tasks were simple; they gave insight into space carving, building formidability, and beautiful dwellings. Both users/clients and the designers/ architects would collaborate in the design and construction. This model kept the client/ user’s head in his budget and the designer’s dream in reality.
We see many beautiful ancient designs and wonder whether we lost it along the way. I suggest that it is because a well-trained designer would be involved regardless of the amount of available resources. What of today? We do not expect an architect to be involved in some projects because they are cheap or are not multimillion-shilling projects. The low-cost designs end up missing the designer’s touch, failing in strength, functionality, and beauty. Therefore, when the same client scales up, they no longer need the architect as they never needed them in the first place. The result is morbidly ugly, non-working, and structurally unsound structures we see today.
The point I want to pass across is, what if we handled every extensive or minuscule design with the uniqueness it deserves? What if, in spite of the budget and available resources, an Architect helped craft fine architecture? What if all design demands a designer, and what if a designer is available?
We could do small projects and scale up as resources grow but have unique architecture nonetheless. We could do architecture for everyone because We Are Truvius Design.