Leave it to the Experts !!

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Practicing Architecture/Interiors for nearly 30 years in India I have realised that ,even after 73 years of Independence, it is a fairly lesser known, often misunderstood professional field and the clients do everything but never “Leave it to the experts”

Here are a few humorous experiences:

-Architects are introduced many a times as “In se milo yeh humarey Architecture hain.”

-Very often project requirements are fixed based on what others have and not what is needed “My sister’s brother-in-law’s neighbour’s house in M’bai has that awesome…..and that Florida hotel pergola was sooooo….” and not much regard is given to the result of hardwork produced before them !!

-They are not sure about what they want “Aur kuch dikhaiye bhaiya…..kuch Rani colour mein hai…?!!”…as if they are in some saree store ,on a Sunday afternoon, dealing with some totally vella salesman looking for endless options before they come to that ever elusive decision.

-The professional feels like being a specimen of sorts when he is introduced to a family junior as “Isney toh kabhie architect hi nahi dekha”…..who then dictates his terms in the design meeting.

-Even the pet of the house has a point of view….”Tommy kaisa laga tumhara room…..”

image by chehakchirps

–“Give us something new and different ,never made anywhere else before….and we want to physically visit it before finalising it ”. As a result of such oxymoron comments, all those “different” architectural marvels end up looking the same.

-“Yeh humare Archiitact hain “ said a senior Dilli wala client to his friend when he visited the construction site.

Some other misconceptions people generally have:

-Trust a casual comment by friends or family over the paid professional’s advise.

-Take the liberty to mess with the design at will….after all they are paying. Imagine a creative work where everybody wants to do their own thing….so it actually ends up being “different”.

-Architecture is nothing but a brilliant idea….which anybody can have. What is the fuss about ?

-We should hire an Architect because everybody else does.

Though one cannot paint everybody with the same brush but generally people in India aren’t as trusting and open to new ideas as they should be. Unfortunately they mostly come with their fixed ideas and ever changing requirements. All they want is some body to certify their own ideas and convert them into an ever changing reality which is so unfair. And yes ,only thing “fixed” is the “fees” with no guarantees of the “last payment”. As a result they donot get what they deserve and often end up misunderstanding the profession.

Internationally the Architects are treated at par with other professionals like Doctors, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants etc. Trust here in India it is a work in progress.

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59 thoughts on “Leave it to the Experts !!”

      1. Some great facts and satire on how the Architecture profession is perceived and practiced. Creative writing can be made very interesting to read if someone has an open mind, so pls consider doing it more often. All the best Ambuj.

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  16. Very well said. Archietecht,🙄 are still lesser known professional breed in household india.remember family designed 6′ 3″ high doors because average height was 5’8″ and end up paying more when height of doors were corrected.

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  22. Reality is bitter and hilarious too. When meeting an architect people proudly boast of doing things on their own and not hiring an architect…I wonder whether they would dare to this infront of a doctor even if they experiment with some home remedy??

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  25. This is the bitter truth of value for professionals which has been hilariously conveyed in your blog. Yaha kuch aaise hai jo architect ko architecture aur lawyer ko liar batate hai, par mano baat meri tho ye bahut kuch sikhate hai, doctor ko ye bimari kya hai internet se padh ke samjhate hai, business kaise hota hai yahi sab dikhate hain, aur Ambuj ko bhe Ambuj tak yahi sab pahunchate hain, aur issi sab ke karan he ye customer is king kehlate hain.

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  27. Hilarious caricature of the dream profession. If it is any solace, the dialect is different, but the experience is global. But in the end, it is a popular yet harsh phrase in business “ I am paying, I am saying”. Architects like you who have molded beautiful marvels, have found the secret recipe- becoming effective businessmen. Well written!

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  28. Ha Ha! Hilarious write-up. Loved the image by Chehak!

    Got me thinking.. One of the few areas where customization is still alive.
    Difficult profession: Nobody knows what they exactly want, probably have a Frankenstein list of requirements (bedroom like Taj hotel, drawing room like that magazine picture, etc etc), lowest cost, no fixed schedule, view change requests like rearranging furniture…..

    Hats off to your talent, patience and perseverance.

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  29. अम्बुज, मेरे भाई, दुखती रग पे हाथ रख दिया तुने! पर बावजूद इसके, हंसी आ रही है!

    That’s because you have presented the subject in such a unique and hilarious way, which, knowing your sense of humor, only you could have done!

    Please make writing a habit and keep writing on the funny side of our profession, so we the Architects, stop taking ourselves too seriously!

    All the best!

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