Soul Mates or Business Partners? Why Your Architect's Values and Mission Matter

Choosing an architect is a bit like dating. You're looking for someone who shares your interests, values, and goals. After all, you're entrusting this person with bringing your vision to life, so it's important that you're on the same page.

One of the key factors to consider when choosing an architect is their values and mission. Do they align with your own? Are they passionate about the same things you are? Let's dive in and explore why this matters.

First of all, if your architect's values and mission don't align with yours, it's going to be tough to work together. Imagine trying to plan a dream home with someone who prioritizes practicality over creativity, or sustainability over luxury. It's not that one approach is better or worse than the other – it's just a matter of personal preference. And if your preferences don't match up, you're likely to encounter conflicts down the line.

But it's not just about avoiding conflicts – it's about finding a partner who truly understands your vision and can bring it to life. When you work with an architect who shares your values and mission, you'll feel more confident and excited about the project. You'll be able to bounce ideas off each other, brainstorm creative solutions, and ultimately create a space that truly reflects your personality and style.

So, how do you determine whether an architect's values and mission align with yours? Here are a few tips:

1. Look at their portfolio. Do their past projects align with your personal style and values? For example, if you're passionate about sustainable design, look for architects who have experience with eco-friendly building materials and practices.

2. Ask about their process. How do they approach projects? Do they involve clients in every step of the process, or do they prefer to work independently? Make sure their process aligns with your expectations and preferences.

3. Have a conversation. Sit down with your potential architect and have an honest conversation about your values and goals for the project. Ask them about their own values and mission, and see how they respond.

At the end of the day, choosing an architect is about finding a partner who understands your vision and can bring it to life. By prioritizing values and mission, you'll increase your chances of finding a true soul mate, rather than just a business partner.

Flow is a culturally diverse architectural ecosystem where everyone has a voice and a shot at making a better world through the use of materials, form, and space. Our design philosophy is fueled by the strengths and skills each partner brings into the table to achieve a common purpose: great and impactful architecture for humanity. The process is essentially an organized oasis of resources working in harmony via thoughtful collaboration.

Flow is rooted in the dream of the firm's founding partners to make a place for those without a place in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. This dream became an obsession, and it sparked momentum when the firm was invited to participate in the 2019 Licensing Advisors Summit hosted by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards in Minneapolis. This is where NCARB shared a picture of the board members from all states and jurisdictions and none of them was a person of color. Michael Armstrong, CEO of NCARB, acknowledged that this was a problem and that they did not know what to do about it. Flow founding partner Darguin Fortuna believed that was a problem too and that the firm FLOW would insight change over the years.

Our Company is based out of the North Shore in Salem, Massachusetts. We serve Local, National, and International clients. We have licensed Architects in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania & Florida.

We are pleased to share that our Film "The Change We Seek" has won the 2022 AIA Film Challenge People's Choice Award. Did you miss the Film - Watch it Here The Change We Seek & remember to like and subscribe to stay up to date with the latest films and educational content. It's free.