The happiness that our homes bring us and the happiness that our neighbors get from their homes is one of the most important symbiotic relationships in any society. The neighborhood we live in also gives us an identity. If you take a fairly affluent neighborhood, then it stands to reason that the income level of each neighbor is pretty much the same. That means that they are pretty much well to do. So if they are happy with their homes, if their homes are aesthetically pleasing to them while being comfortable, the general mood of the neighborhood is positive and upbeat.
The Economist Adam Smith once said – ‘No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.’ If any member of the neighborhood is unhappy about his/her living conditions due to whatever reason, that affects the general mood of the entire neighborhood. Which is why ArchWorld speaks to Chartered Architect, Archt. Tharinda Dissanayake on creating aesthetically pleasing homes that sends good vibes through the neighborhood.
Good vibes
Personal housing is all about good vibes. Good vibes through the household and good vibes through the neighborhood. “As professionals, we generally assess the client's requirements with three main domains in mind, ‘Socio-Cultural’, ‘Environmental’ and ‘Economical’ aspects. So then we determine the ‘Architect's Brief’, which is more comprehensive, cohesive and more technical in nature. As I said we consider the whole domain of ‘Environment’ when designing a building. But for a simple house, the approach may be simpler. But as architects our minds are always trained to think scientifically. Thus, planning the building while preserving a tree becomes our top most concern. If we dig in deeper, the environment can be further divided into ‘Abiotic’ (Air, Water, Fire, etc, that is physical rather than biological) and ‘Biotic’ (Humans, Animals, Trees, etc that is biological) layers, where Climate is a phenomenon that naturally occurs within the ‘Abiotic’ layer. So, climatic control is one of the many factors that we take into consideration during designing. Therefore, within architecture schools, there is a subject about Environment and Climate where students are required to learn and demonstrate their skills in this field of scientific thinking,” said Dissanayake
Physical characteristics
He added that when it comes to a house, the first thing that should be considered is the site's physical characteristics.
“For this, I strongly believe that a site inspection by an Architect is a must. Thus, during a visit we consider many factors. The magnetic north is one such, which will allow us to determine what the solar path is. Other than that, many other factors such as wind path, storm water drainage paths through natural terrain are considered and the list goes on. By determining the solar path, it helps when it comes to ‘strategically locating’ spaces that would minimize internal solar heat gains, that will reduce the cooling loads in a tropical country like Sri Lanka.
As we all know, the afternoon sun tends to be harsh and hot, and that means, the west face will gain more heat by absorbing energy photons. Thus, our first attempt is to decide whether living spaces where occupancy is high can be minimized when using the west face openings. But as life is not a bed of roses, this task is not always easy. That is where Architects use specialized tools and methods which they have learned effectively in Architecture Schools. So we need to read the client's expectations through their Socio-Cultural expectations, values and traditions,” stated Dissanayake.
Client requirements
He brought up an example saying that sometimes they need to identify whether the client prefers more secluded spaces where he can meditate in the settings of a Buddhist environment. Some clients may prefer entertainment and enjoyment, so for that a secluded and serene environment will not be the solution. The Architect can scan the minds of people in order to have an idea about the client’s personality. Architecture he says is all about people. So they need to have a good knowledge about various cultures, expectations and trends.
“I believe that it’s a lame excuse to insert unknown beliefs into our culture. Always remember, we had a great civilization where our ancient construction traditions were based on scientific rationalization. Also I feel that something that was not possible during that time could be enabled today with technology and materials,” added Dissanayake.
Next Dissanayake brought up the factor which is the Client's budget – the Economic domain. As we all know, material costs vary. Here, the architect considers various options like low cost material and technologies. Thus, a client should talk to his architect and there should be a frank discussion about what can be done and what cannot.
The way a client describes his/her brief of requirements that denote his/her thinking pattern is very important.
“Most of the times, I always prefer to talk to not only the house head, but also the other family members. But, when it comes to houses for an individual, then it's all about reading his/her mind, together with the aspects I have mentioned before. That way, I will get a precise idea about each and every person. There may be a husband and wife who are well experienced and their ideologies are based on realities but sometimes bound strongly to traditional beliefs and cultural norms. Of course we know that generations change and that their children may not cherish these traditional beliefs. Mostly when it comes to teenagers, they are more exposed to the world, modern culture and technology and they value modernity. So, this obviously may create a problem and sometimes there could be arguments. In such a situation, the Architect will act as the Arbitrator. For that, we need to identify and sort out common interests and consider opposing views,” explained Dissanayake.
He also mentioned another example which is a newly married couple who are just starting their lives as a family. Both are young and have little experience when it comes to married life. So they have their own requirements when their house is being designed.
He quipped that they may have fantasies and he loves to listen to those fantasies! If the couples are from different backgrounds the situation sometimes becomes more complex. However, though there are idea mismatches, there should be something in common between the couple. So his job is to identify what that special thing is.
Crucial elements
“Considering the crucial elements of the ‘Socio-Cultural’, ‘Environmental’ and ‘Economical’ domains will set the foundation for a perfect house. To me, if the client and all the family members are happy and enjoying the spaces that I created, then that is a perfect house to me. The collective decision making process is an effort by both architect and client. Discussions will create the so called perfect house. The most important connection is the client and architect one. If the client hates the architect and the architect hates the client, obviously the relationship won’t work. From the very onset Trust needs to be there. Then you can create a perfect home,” explained Dissanayake.
Dissanayake added that another crucial part is when the designs on paper become a reality. Here he introduces the third party which is the contractor who actually builds the house.
“As an Architect, I should be able to convey my design, which was collectively made with the client to the contractor. Here I assume responsibility that all the requirements of the client are satisfied during construction. Most clients want a hassle free construction with no issues. This is where the Architect comes into action in a separate stage called Construction Administration. The architect, together with other consultants comes and thoroughly inspects, examines and instructs the contractor to do the needful. Which is why I say that the Client –Architect- Contractor should be strong. There needs to be transparency. There should be clear communication between all three.
This will enable a perfect dream home. I have personal experience where clients try and go around the architect by giving direct instructions to the contractor. This is where they go wrong. They need to respect, believe and trust the architect. Instead they believe the words of other parties that are actually bogus and incorrect. This is when most of the clients learn their lesson when they build their dream home. They believe other people's words while not believing the architect during construction.
What I always say to my clients is that they should trust me and talk to me directly if there is any doubt. My strategy is face to face talk. If you study the publications of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, Client-Architect standard conditions of engagement, and also the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) Standard Bidding Document series, you will find out how important this client-architect-contractor standard is,” explained Dissanayake
TIPS CONCERNING THE ROLE OF THE ARCHITECT AND THE CLIENT – HOW THE RELATIONSHIP SHOULD WORK
- The client should reveal all requirements to the architect. Be close to your architect like a friend. Trust him and tell him or her about your dreams and fantasies.
- The Architect will decide what needs to be done and if there is some doubt he will educate the client and point out what cannot be achieved and outline other possibilities.
- Always seek professional services under qualified personnel as per the Urban Development Authority Law No 41 of 1978 of the National State Assembly and Urban Development Authority Planning and Building Regulations of 1986 and all its relevant amendments (UDA Act).
- When designing your dream home always seek the services of a professional. This is the Law of the country. It has been mandated by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects Law No 01 of 1976 and its amendments. Architects are the people who have completed a full academic course when it comes to the scientific designing of the built environment. They do not just plan houses. They Design houses.
- Generally, an architect's design needs two kinds of approvals: 1) The clients and 2). The local authority or the Urban Development Authority (UDA). The latter is crucial as that is the law as per the UDA act.
- Finalize all the designs before you apply for the Local Authority / UDA approval. Because, at the end of the day, there is something called Certificate of Conformity (COC) where the authorities will come and check whether what is approved is built. If you change, then get ready for fines that should be paid to the UDA for violating building regulations.
- The trust and connection between the Client-Architect-Contractor triangle must be strictly maintained where the Client shall not bypass the architect and give instructions to the contractor.
- Architects value their design as their own babies. So they do care about the end result. Whatever is specified by the architect is for the client's own benefit, not anything else. If the client has any doubt, just talk with the architect.
