Design Buy Build Issue 19 2016 | Page 18

I am an Associate Director at ADAM Architecture and a Chartered Architectural Technologist, MCIAT. ADAM Architecture (http://www. adamarchitecture.com/) are specialists in Progressive Classical and Traditional Architecture, considered leaders in this field, employing around 80 staff, we are the largest practice of this kind in Europe and have completed many award winning projects. ADAM Architecture is a CIAT Registered/RIBA Chartered Practice which employs both Chartered Architectural Technologists and Chartered Architects who work collaboratively alongside one another. Without this approach to working, I am absolutely convinced that we would not enjoy the levels of success we have been able to consistently achieve. You may well ask what a Chartered Architectural Technologist is. Well, to achieve Chartered status is an accolade awarded by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), who are the lead qualifying body for Architectural Technology professionals, representing those practising and studying within the discipline. In short Chartered Architectural Technologists are experts in the technology of architecture. For example, we are able to advise and help select materials for any given location – such as tiles in wet areas to paint finishes in Pools and Steam Rooms – all valuable input when working with Interior Designer’s in assisting in realising their design vision for any single project. Collaboration is one of those buzz words that we hear used a lot nowadays. I am always slightly wary of overused words because the true impact of their meaning can often be lost or diluted as a result. We often find that during times of fashionable overuse, a word’s meaning can often evolve. But what does the word collaboration currently mean? I believe it important to understand the meaning at any point in time, so that the relevance of a word or term can be understood in context with its current use. The Cambridge Dictionary definition of the word is: “the situation of two or more people working together to create or achieve the same thing.” The questions of whether or not collaboration is relevant in a design environment and does it bring benefits between professionals in design process were posed to me? It’s interesting, but when you understand the meaning of the word you suddenly understand its relevance to the way in which successful design is driven. Collaboration as a process provides purpose and direction, drawing on the true value of the collaborators key core skills and strengths, allowing those skills to be clearly focused on. At the heart of collaboration is a respect for one another’s key expertise. Interior Design and Architectural Technology, while related are not one in the same thing. They are two specialist and distinctly differing design disciplines that can complement one another very well. At ADAM Architecture, we frequently work collaboratively with Interior Designers on 18 projects. I have found that the most successful projects are those where this has been considered from the outset of and continuation of the design p rocess, rather than being an afterthought. We understand value and embrace collaboration to bring best value to the design process in order to produce stunning results. We always wish to produce a design to the very best of our ability, placing the best blend of talent on each and every project that we are fortunate to be commissioned and entrusted with. Key consideration is given to team dynamic, personalities, common purpose of aims and the variety of skills necessary to ensure a harmonious team is chosen for any single project required to produce a well thoughtthrough design. This really is the essence of collaborative working practice. We apply this same approach with other consultant designers, such as Interior Designers. You see, it is critical for designers to work with common purpose; otherwise a disjointed end result will transpire. I know that this should be common sense, but you will be amazed how easily and far too frequently in my opinion, this is not considered or managed in the construction industry. Interior Architecture and Interior Design are two different areas of design. I often find that the easiest way to describe the difference is by using the analogy of imagining a building as a simple ‘Dolls House’ and if you picked it up and shook it, all that dropped out, such as loose furniture, pictures on walls, etc. is known as FF & E – Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment and would be classed as Interior Design.