What is and what could be with Michael Clarke Architect Michael Clarke

Episode Notes
In this episode we push some technical boundaries as I speak to some ideas for experiencing site specific space whilst playing guitar.

The undertaking is an effort to showcase the connection between music and architecture and how design ideas can come from outside the profession.

We look at two songs to illustrate this point, one by me and one by Radiohead. We then briefly link these ideas to an experience of one of the main exhibition spaces at the Tate Modern in London, England by Herzog and De Meuron.

Episode Notes
In this episode we conclude the mini series - "why an architect would say yes to a commission" by focusing on the third reason - that the commission is a good project. We talk through some stories to help appreciate what might make a project good and how this might be contrary to popular belief. For many architects the size of the project, project type and location are not necessarily defining factors.

Episode Notes
Following on from episode 20 we talk about the second reason why an architect would say yes to a commission or increase visibility to a potential client or client organisation - because the project has a good client.

Contrary to what some may believe this isn't a client that is always saying yes. Nor is it the opposite. Instead it is someone who is able to engage in the process and help the architect understand the characters in the design response to a specific client vision.

Episode Notes
Recently I was talking to my business coach and colleague in my business coaching group about some current trends in architectural practice. They both indicated that they had always thought architecture, realising a project with an architect was an undertaking only available for the select few. They are not unique in their thinking.

This compelled me to revisit the question "why work with an architect?" by discussing why an architect would say yes to a commission. Why would an architect want to work with a client?

This comes from a place of compassion, sympathy, empathy for potential clients to help them remove that predisposition or forgone conclusion that working with an architect is not for them. That an architect would not be interested in their project. That engaging an architect isn't warranted or justified.

We answer this question by looking at the three "goods" we are looking for when accepting or pursuing a commission.

In no order these are:

Good fee, good client, good project.

We like to have two of these ticked before signing a project. Ideally we have all three. Rarely do we say yes to a commission that only has one.

Today we look at the concept of a good fee and how it is linked to the overall undertaking - the time involved in realising a design response to the client's vision.

Episode Notes
Like many others for years post university I had awkward conversations in social circles that went something like this:

Someone: "What do you do for a living Michael?"
Response: "I work for an architectural firm"
Them: "So you are an architect?"
Me: "No"
Them: "Did you study architecture at university?"
Me: "Yes"
Them: "So you are an architect?"
Me: "No"

Confused? They were too. This is because the word architect is protected in the states and territories of Australia and graduating from university does not grant legal license to use it. Candidates (graduates) need to get registered which involves passing a national examination in addition to other things.

For years I have been involved in courses that help candidates get registered so in this episode I wanted to answer a question that comes up regularly - "how do I get registered?" by answering a different question "why should I get registered?" Or specifically why did I get registered.

This is a high level short discussion with limited detail for the benefit of candidates seeking to frame their study on the way to getting registered.Or for clients, consultants, contractors and other collaborators looking to appreciate what it means and how much it matters.

Episode Notes
In this episode we tell a story of design development that occurred during construction for a project in 2012. It was a collaboration with a steel fabricator that resulted in a mirror finished stainless steel desk plaque that I lovingly refer to as the Michael Clarke plaque.