The architect wars

The Israeli construction industry is breaking records, but if you thought that our country's architects and designers were laughing all the way to the bank, you should think again.

Behind the scenes there are quite a few intrigues, wars and half-truths.

That's how it is when the fee is stretched over many years

David Rosenthal

11/09/2022

Sunday, September 11, 2022, 00:03

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Such a product is worth a considerable salary, but when it stretches over many years - it's a problem.

Eyal Apel Architecture and Design (Photo: Elad Gonen)

They are well-dressed, exude glam and style, and it is obvious that they are endowed with good taste: architecture and interior design are seen by the general public as glamorous professions that deal with purely aesthetics, but those who know those who practice the craft closely can say that in practice these are abrasive fields that involve hours of work in front of a computer, maneuvering between websites Dusty construction and withstanding daily pressures from the authorities, suppliers and of course the customers.

It doesn't end there - even though there seems to be work for everyone, many of them still have to fight for new projects to meet the burden of their business expenses.

On the face of it, it seems that the professionals in the field extract a handsome coupon from each project, but since most of them are spread over years (usually between one and four years), in many cases the huge investment does not actually translate into a decent income.

ethics?

lol

The industry knows how to tell that the complex situation causes quite a few professionals to act at any cost: some of them lower their fees significantly in order to appear attractive compared to their competitors, but without their clients knowing they receive fat bonuses from the suppliers.

Others try to find loopholes and hijack projects already launched by a colleague - another architect or designer.

"There are quite a few cases where it comes from the clients themselves and the professionals, who are hungry for projects, take advantage of it to their advantage and forget about professional ethics along the way," explains a senior and respected architect in the industry who preferred to remain anonymous, "those property owners start the process with a certain architect but as soon as they start disputes, or they are not satisfied with the products, they turn without informing the original architect to another professional. It is perfectly legitimate to surround yourself with professionals with whom you have good communication, but it is less legitimate that the same architect who has just entered the picture does not explain to them the ethical complexity of the issue and establishes contact with the incumbent architect in order to get his permission to enter the picture. By the way, not before making sure that clients have paid him his salary and closed an account with him. This is the minimum that should be done in such cases."

Everything should be visible and not behind the customers' backs.

Planning and design Shlomit Zaldman (Photo: Shay Gil)

Transparency is a top value.

Shlomit Zaldman (Photo: Eli Pasandi)

"The whole issue of bonuses and commissions that architects and designers charge at the expense of their clients has become a real trade - it smells bad, completely unprofessional and the issue needs to be settled here and now," says one of the veteran interior designers in the industry, "they are under pressure to close projects and operate according to the following equation: 'We will reduce the fees to a minimum and we will earn the difference from mediation between the client and the supplier.' And they would have given up the customer bonus, the benefit would have been passed on to the customers themselves, who would have enjoyed attractive prices. Those professionals are sinning first of all for their job - I understand the need to supplement income, but there is a way to do it. Full transparency is required here, everything should be open, official and not behind the back of the customers, most of whom, by the way, would prefer to pay approx.T is higher for a reliable professional with receipts who will present to them the exact work process, including the matter of bonuses and commissions."

In the opinion of Shlomit Zaldman, owner of an architecture, planning and design office, transparency is a top value: "Most potential clients come by word of mouth, that is, following the recommendation of past clients who have experienced a proper, professional and humane process. Already at the introductory meeting I explain the work processes and present organized schedules I give them a sense of security that they are in good hands, and this is an acute detail when it comes to such a significant and high-budget project for them.

I present myself clearly and do not believe in the concept of 'selling myself'.

This way the customers know exactly what to expect and have a real ability to compare the offer with the offers of my colleagues."

Lots of credit stealers.

Eyal Apple (Photo: Shirad Nissim)

The architect Eyal Apel, owner of the firm Apel Architects, also testifies that the vast majority of clients come following a recommendation they received from a close person for whom the firm designed a project: "This is further proof of how acute building a good reputation is in this field. It is the one that ultimately leads to continuity of work Today, many builders know how to appreciate the professionalism and experience of the architects, and at the same time, professionals who are not licensed architects also often infiltrate the ranks - some are engineers, others are designers, they may be talented but do not have the licenses, insurance or experience in complex projects. Another issue A very dark matter in the industry is the matter of taking credits - attempting to steal copyrights in practice and this is very disturbing. We often see architects or interior designers who enter the picture at very advanced stages or when the building is already finished and appropriate the project for themselves."

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