Topics related to architectural offices are important to discuss due to their direct influence on architecture as a product of such offices.
Structural Development of Offices Today Historically, architecture was not a solitary profession and architects worked with assistants or students. Architecture was undertaken as teamwork with the architect playing the key role. Before turning into a full-time job, architects were wealthy individuals relying on other sources of income. They engaged in architectural design as a part-time activity. It was not until the 19th century when the first architectural offices were formed that architecture was defined as a full-time profession. Of course the structure of architectural offices has changed through time and on all levels. The developments of society as well as changes in the architects’ social status, the clash between the local and global culture, the architects’ responsibility for nature and the environment and the change in building codes and regulations as well as many other factors have changed architecture as a profession. However, the professional developments resulting from technologi- cal advancements and the introduction of computer and internet to architectural offices have had a decisive effect. The transition from manual to computer drawing tools has increased design precision bringng the early design models much closer to the reality of projects. Modeling potentials have influenced design methods. Previously, being skillful at manual drawing, a talent irrelevant to the essence of architecture which can be gained through training, was considered an important privilege for the architect. Today, creativity and mental abilities needed for developing a concept into reality has rightfully gained priority. Any imaginable space can be drawn using new tools and, contrary to manual sketches merely deco- rating the design, each line drawn by computer finds a counterpart in the real world. According to Yanni Loukissas, a researcher at MIT probing into the effects of computers on architectural profession, the advent of computers has made it easier for architects and engineers to com- municate and enhance their historically problematic relationship. In his book, ‘Co-Designers: Cultures of Computer Simulation in Architecture’, Loukissas refers to the close collaboration between architects and engineers in different departments of the Arup Office and how Sydney Opera House was realized as the first outcome of such a cooperation using computer models. Computers define the new method of data production in architec- tural offices while the internet determines how information is circulated between them. With the help of social networking, as soon as the concept of a project is formed in one location, it is shared, analyzed, discussed and criticized all around the world, allowing other proj- ects to be inspired by it or even copy the logic. On such a level, the connection between architects and architectural offices across the globe sharing their experiences has accelerated the development of architectural profession. Previously, architects could familiarize themselves with the architecture of other parts of the world and spend hours sketching them only through long journeys and visits to a limited number of buildings. With the appearance of internet, the dependence of architectural offices on location is decreasing. That is to say, the employees could be established anywhere. They only need to connect through video- link and attend online sessions to discuss different issues. Such a connection is vital to offices looking for markets all over
Virtual Connection between two office branches in Netherland and Belgium
the world. After the 2008 US economic crisis, many American offices such as Steven Holl opened branches in China. Many European offic- es are working today in the UAE or Bahrain. Easy communication has increased the flexibility of offices. When local economy or architectural market goes down, it is possible to look for it elsewhere.
The Role of Offices in Architectural Education Most architectural graduates enter architectural offices as work- forces lacking experience and necessary efficiency in professional work. This is because, according to architectural schools, an architect is one who is capable of independently developing architectural con- cepts to such a level that can be accurately executed by the builder according to the supplied plans and specifications. This is a myth that does not happen in the real world. Architectural offices compensate for the deficiencies of academic education and therefore take over an important part of architectural education. Graduates of architecture usually turn into real workforce after a couple of years of training in office. In many instances, they quit working at an office after gaining experience and exactly at the point when they are about to become efficient. This is while educating professional workforce imposes a considerable cost on such offices. The problem of getting professional workforce has always existed for architectural offices. Ave Arup en- gineering office has found a solution to this problem. Part of the Arup Office is dedicated to educating young chosen talented designers who will live in the office and be trained there. All their activities including their recreation, sport and education is supervised and paid for by the office. The condition for receiving such education is a professional loy- alty to the Arup Office after their training comes to an end to cooperate for a certain time period.
The Role of Small Offices in Enhancing Architecture and the Necessity of Supporting Such Offices In the recent years, small and medium-sized offices in Iran have played the main role in enhancing the quality of architecture on a national scale. Ten years of Memar Award and the considerable share of small and medium-sized offices in it prove such a claim as well as the participation of such projects in international competitions such as WAF. However, compared to the whole body of construction happening across the country the number of projects referred to these offices is small. For many clients and individuals who own capital today, it is difficult to distinguish between commercial architectural offices and those dedicated to architecture. There is also no balance in the num- ber of projects referred to the latter group considering their capacity and potentials. As a result, in order to win projects, such offices have to compete not only among themselves but also with other offices in the business. Moreover, small offices need to spend more time on each project to sustain a certain level of quality which also results in accomplishment of fewer projects. That is to say, considering their low fees, they earn less than commercial offices. Due to all these factors, they have a greater chance of being targeted by financial problems and finally dissolved. Promoting architectural offices and their services is the respon- sibility of architectural organizations and foundations, architectural journals and the media, including newspapers, radio and television. The same way people are informed of best films by festivals, the best projects or offices can also be promoted. This is while the majority is unaware of what these offices do. The problems of architects and their clients result from the fact that the client is unaware of what is happen- ing in an architectural office and which services he is paying for. In other parts of the world, distinguished offices are promoted by office awards and are supported by architectural associations. As such, all forms of education and of informing the public can contribute to archi- tecture as a profession. Promoting distinguished offices will create a more equal condition for all architectural offices.
*Habibeh Madjdabadi did her masters in architecture and started her professional work when she ranked first in the Competition for Interior Architecture and Revival of Historical Buildings. Several of her designs have won awards in local and international architectural and design competitions.