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The architects' blog

Show Me The Money

Do the following phrases sound familiar to you? “Check development rights for us (at no cost), and you will get the project if it starts.” “We are in good contact with one of the owners of the lot. You will analyze the various planning options (for free) to facilitate our progression.” “We’ve decided to meet with multiple architects. Please prepare materials for the meeting including concepts, plans, and renders (cost-free), to help us choose the most suitable architect for the project’s design.” “My partners and I only need a preliminary sketch for an investor presentation so that we can raise money for the project.” I also felt like getting rich (and for free!) I went down to…
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The ten best architecture websites

Archdaily Architect’s source for tools, information and inspiration archdaily.com Architizer The largest database of architecture online architizer.com Bustler Online publication for Competition and Event listings bustler.net Defringe Online gallery that filters creative content on the web defringe.com Designboom Digital magazine for architecture & design designboom.com Design of the world We love design and…
Read more

Employee vs. Self-Employed Architect

“I like beer, so I decided to try making it myself. I bought special tools for home brewing, found a recipe, and purchased the necessary ingredients: hops, yeast, and grain. Sounds simple, but the whole process was not like that at all. Questions piled up: how long to grind the grains? At what temperature? Is the tank sealed enough? And on and on. Everything had to be prepared with a lot of work, and after 3 weeks, the beer was fresh and ready to drink. In the end, it was fine, neither great nor bad. If I had continued, it would have gotten much better. I learned that just because I like…
Read more

Architecture Competitions

Competitions are an opportunity for architects, especially young firms, to design significant public buildings. Many architects have broken through by winning competitions, such as Zvi Hecker and Avraham Yaski in Israel, as well as Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaas, and Bjarke Ingels abroad. Preparing a proposal for a competition also allows architects to break away from their daily planning routine, free their minds, and develop more innovative concepts. Why do we need architectural competitions? Competitions create a situation where the client, the general public, and the architects all benefit. The client benefits from a wide range of ideas and creative solutions to choose from, which doesn’t typically occur when a…
Read more

Architect Professional Liability Insurance

Architects, like other professionals such as engineers, doctors, and lawyers, are responsible for their work, which has a significant impact on others. Architectural project, from the concept stage to the construction documents, is complex work that requires compliance with numerous laws, regulations, and standards, while also paying attention to details. The project influences the quality of life, the comfort and safety of users, the proper operation of building systems, the aesthetics of the building and its spaces, and its economic value. Architects’ professional liability insurance is designed to protect the architect and reduce the risk of lawsuits brought against them due to professional negligence or inadvertent errors. The insurance provides coverage for…
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Architectural Price Proposal

Price Proposal is one of the most important documents regulating the relationship between the client and the architect. The proposal outlines the nature and scope of the project, defines the services to be provided by the architect throughout the project stages, and specifies the payoff, including the payment schedule. After summarizing the price offer at the initial stage, there are two scenarios: either a full legal agreement is signed, or the signed offer stands as the only document. The latter is often preferable, involving a simple and relatively short document, rather than a complex agreement drafted by lawyers. Given the importance of The Proposal and its impact over the long term, throughout the entire project, it is better…
Read more

Architect VS Project Manager

If you’re looking for a short and simple definition, then you can say that the architect is an “artist with his head in the clouds who draws pictures, focusing on aesthetics and visual representation”. And the project manager is a “senior organizer who ensures tasks are completed in time and within budget, who only knows how to ask when it’s going to be ready and how much it costs”. In practice, the division of duties is that the architect plans the project, analyzes the construction regulations and develops the program with the client. He is responsible for coordinating his design with the team of consultants (constructor, plumbing, air conditioning, electricity,…
Read more

How Much Does It Cost To Build?

Who are the players in a real estate project? And what is their share of the “pie” of cost and revenue? This is the “pie” – which contains all the project establishment costs and the entrepreneurial profit (what is left of the income minus the costs). The total “pie” is equal to the revenues of the project. The percentages are estimated according to the national average.   Costs The largest portion of project costs typically is the land, which can range from a third to approximately 45% of the total expenses. The cost of the land for each housing unit and its relative share of the…
Read more

Architectural Firm Management

The largest architectural firm Gensler, the largest architectural firm in the world, is based in the USA with 50 branches in 15 countries and employs thousands of architects.  The firm engages in planning and design in a wide variety of fields: urban planning, hospitals, airports, stadiums, commerce, offices, hotels, residences and more. Art Gensler, his wife Drew and another partner founded the company in 1965. They started their journey in interior design for commercial companies in office towers. Expanded in the USA, and later all over the world – from San Francisco to Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney. In the book “Art’s Principles” from 2015, Art writes advice and…
Read more

Copyright In Architecture

Copyright law relates to numerous forms of creative works, like architecture, which may include structures, models, or drawings. The work must be original. Copyright exists for the lifetime of the creator and for 70 years after his death. The law provides protection to both the creator and the creation (intellectual property), allowing only the copyright owner to perform actions such as copying (in 2D or 3D) and publication. Those who undertake these actions without the permission of the copyright holder violate the law. They may be required to pay compensation even without proving damage. Architectural works, unlike other types of art like statues…
Read more

Show Me The Money

Do the following phrases sound familiar to you? “Check development rights for us (at no cost), and you will get the project if it starts.” “We are in good contact with one of the owners of the lot. You will analyze the various planning options (for free) to facilitate our progression.” “We’ve decided to meet with multiple architects. Please prepare materials for the meeting including concepts, plans, and renders (cost-free), to help us choose the most suitable architect for the project’s design.” “My partners and I only need a preliminary sketch for an investor presentation so that we can raise money for the project.” I also felt like getting rich (and for free!) I went down to…

Architect Professional Liability Insurance

Architects, like other professionals such as engineers, doctors, and lawyers, are responsible for their work, which has a significant impact on others. Architectural project, from the concept stage to the construction documents, is complex work that requires compliance with numerous laws, regulations, and standards, while also paying attention to details. The project influences the quality of life, the comfort and safety of users, the proper operation of building systems, the aesthetics of the building and its spaces, and its economic value. Architects’ professional liability insurance is designed to protect the architect and reduce the risk of lawsuits brought against them due to professional negligence or inadvertent errors. The insurance provides coverage for…

How Much Does It Cost To Build?

Who are the players in a real estate project? And what is their share of the “pie” of cost and revenue? This is the “pie” – which contains all the project establishment costs and the entrepreneurial profit (what is left of the income minus the costs). The total “pie” is equal to the revenues of the project. The percentages are estimated according to the national average.   Costs The largest portion of project costs typically is the land, which can range from a third to approximately 45% of the total expenses. The cost of the land for each housing unit and its relative share of the…

The ten best architecture websites

Archdaily Architect’s source for tools, information and inspiration archdaily.com Architizer The largest database of architecture online architizer.com Bustler Online publication for Competition and Event listings bustler.net Defringe Online gallery that filters creative content on the web defringe.com Designboom Digital magazine for architecture & design designboom.com Design of the world We love design and…

Architectural Price Proposal

Price Proposal is one of the most important documents regulating the relationship between the client and the architect. The proposal outlines the nature and scope of the project, defines the services to be provided by the architect throughout the project stages, and specifies the payoff, including the payment schedule. After summarizing the price offer at the initial stage, there are two scenarios: either a full legal agreement is signed, or the signed offer stands as the only document. The latter is often preferable, involving a simple and relatively short document, rather than a complex agreement drafted by lawyers. Given the importance of The Proposal and its impact over the long term, throughout the entire project, it is better…

Architectural Firm Management

The largest architectural firm Gensler, the largest architectural firm in the world, is based in the USA with 50 branches in 15 countries and employs thousands of architects.  The firm engages in planning and design in a wide variety of fields: urban planning, hospitals, airports, stadiums, commerce, offices, hotels, residences and more. Art Gensler, his wife Drew and another partner founded the company in 1965. They started their journey in interior design for commercial companies in office towers. Expanded in the USA, and later all over the world – from San Francisco to Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney. In the book “Art’s Principles” from 2015, Art writes advice and…

Employee vs. Self-Employed Architect

“I like beer, so I decided to try making it myself. I bought special tools for home brewing, found a recipe, and purchased the necessary ingredients: hops, yeast, and grain. Sounds simple, but the whole process was not like that at all. Questions piled up: how long to grind the grains? At what temperature? Is the tank sealed enough? And on and on. Everything had to be prepared with a lot of work, and after 3 weeks, the beer was fresh and ready to drink. In the end, it was fine, neither great nor bad. If I had continued, it would have gotten much better. I learned that just because I like…

Architect VS Project Manager

If you’re looking for a short and simple definition, then you can say that the architect is an “artist with his head in the clouds who draws pictures, focusing on aesthetics and visual representation”. And the project manager is a “senior organizer who ensures tasks are completed in time and within budget, who only knows how to ask when it’s going to be ready and how much it costs”. In practice, the division of duties is that the architect plans the project, analyzes the construction regulations and develops the program with the client. He is responsible for coordinating his design with the team of consultants (constructor, plumbing, air conditioning, electricity,…

Copyright In Architecture

Copyright law relates to numerous forms of creative works, like architecture, which may include structures, models, or drawings. The work must be original. Copyright exists for the lifetime of the creator and for 70 years after his death. The law provides protection to both the creator and the creation (intellectual property), allowing only the copyright owner to perform actions such as copying (in 2D or 3D) and publication. Those who undertake these actions without the permission of the copyright holder violate the law. They may be required to pay compensation even without proving damage. Architectural works, unlike other types of art like statues…

Architecture Competitions

Competitions are an opportunity for architects, especially young firms, to design significant public buildings. Many architects have broken through by winning competitions, such as Zvi Hecker and Avraham Yaski in Israel, as well as Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaas, and Bjarke Ingels abroad. Preparing a proposal for a competition also allows architects to break away from their daily planning routine, free their minds, and develop more innovative concepts. Why do we need architectural competitions? Competitions create a situation where the client, the general public, and the architects all benefit. The client benefits from a wide range of ideas and creative solutions to choose from, which doesn’t typically occur when a…