Dealing with Clients - My Experience as an Architect

As an architect (Ar. PRS Sivakumar) I have been lucky to work on projects of the
elitist of politicians and industrialists in Tamilnadu as well as for common people. I
share my experiences below for the benefit of young architects on this forum. I feel
that dealing with every client is an enriching experience in itself for an architect. And
if they come from varying backgrounds, it makes for all the more a fascinating
journey. Contrary to what some people might think, as far as the projects of politicians
etc., were concerned, I felt really blessed. Either they themselves dealt with me
personally (most of the times) or the highest level official dealt with me. When I first
hesitated that I might not get along with any “false & fancy ideas” of theirs (if they
had so), I was guaranteed that they would go by my ideas and that the projects - from
concept to completion - would conform to my designs and advice. So it was perfectly
smooth going with these projects and I was treated with high regards and was also
compensated with very decent remuneration without any hassles ! And with other
elitists of the society who either belonged to the corporate class or technocrats or
industrialists, (I was mostly doing their personal bungalows / villas or their own
personal office premises ), since it was their personal buildings, they always dealt
with me directly - the entire family with grown up children too. Half way through
their projects, I would have become their close family friend too ! And many a time
their brothers/ sisters/ cousins would also become my clients. And for larger scale
Institutional projects / corporate offices/ industries, it so happens that the owners /
partners themselves deal with me directly. I have to thank the Almighty for blessed
me like this ! These type of clients have taken me abroad with them to China,
Malaysia, Indonesia (Bali Islands), Dubai. Abu Dhabi, etc. either to select materials or
to make me see some places personally so that I got a feel of that place - They gave
me exposure to good things in life so I could design better ! I once again reiterate that
all these clients came to me by word of mouth through my other clients - of course
also having seen my previous projects done. So even before they came to me they
knew my attitude and I was accepted by them for what I was & I am still being
accepted for what I am. Among these clients there are two types. One type of clients
know exactly what they want and explicitly convey it to me by showing me pictures
of what they like & what they do not like. And they are quite realistic in their
expectations with the land on hand. And these clients have quite high taste. To me,
this type is the one who make my work easy. The concept gets finalized in not more
than 3 sittings and -
The other type - they do not know exactly what they wanted - they are confused
seeing so many on the web, in ads, inputs through their friends & relatives, they may
not even realize how large their building would be. With these people, the second
sitting with me would be a long session riddled with questions by me. By the time
they have finished answering my questions fully, they would have realized more or
less what they wanted. This session may take even 4 to 5 hours. After this the 3rd
sitting would be with the first concept drawings. Again this would be a long session.
At this time they would have realized that they left out something which they should
have told me before and some provisions were superfluous. Now I have dug out more
of what they wanted from their minds. Even with these people (because I am also a
good mind reader), the concepts would be frozen in the 4th or 5th sitting. From then
onward they start listening to whatever I say. Among these elites, the projects I get
the most satisfaction are that with such of those who have very high expectations from
me. The more demanding their expectations are, the more satisfaction I get fulfilling
their expectations and it is sheer joy & pleasure for me designing for these demanding
clients. Among these there are quite a few who think whatever I say or advise is Bible
to them. If, by any chance, I made an error, they would think that I have done this for
some reason ! So I have to be triple times more careful with my drawings with these
people.

But I have had some bitter experiences with some corporate buildings where I did not
have direct discussions often enough to the owners/ CMDs. I had to deal with the Vice
Presidents & GMs. Then all kinds of fishy stuff started happening which I could not
tolerate. My formidable attitude did not have effect with these people. But here again,
except for bitter experience, I won. I had the Vice President thrown out of the
company ! The CMD had faith in me. All the other fellows became submissive! With
bitter experiences with two projects, I decided not to take up projects where I had to
deal with the subordinates. That holds good till today. And now regarding the
common people, they come to me with a lot of expectations - to get a very efficiently
designed building in the available small land space. They do not expect any fancy or
very stunning looking building / house. They come to me to get a building which
would be value for money spent. But these common people first have lot of hesitation
to meet me or come to my office - for fear of being declined ! Because the majority of
my clients belong to the much upper class, these people have a fear of getting snubbed
!! These people, before they finished discussion with me - had had a wrong
impression about my true self. In fact, I encourage these people to avail my services -
at a more nominal fee - in a few cases at such a low fee that it would only cover my
establishment expenses and nothing left out for myself. I consider serving these
common people as among the noblest services I do. I always consider & wish that my
knowledge should become useful to even the man on the street. I hate being projected
as a service provider for the high & mighty alone. While the high & mighty might
enrich my bank account, serving these common people enrich my spiritual
advancement and give a meaning to my life. So when these people come to me,

I brain wash them for 2 to 3 hours till they find themselves quite comfortable with
me having no reservations by the end of the discussion (or brain washing session).
And I always think twice before what I speak to them - lest they become
uncomfortable mentally. I respect them the same way I do with the elitists. The day I
really become happy is the day when I see smiling & happy faces of these people after
they occupied the building & enjoyed the benefits of my design. Other than this I have
not had any peculiar situations with these type of people.