Building Dialogue

JUNE 2015 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \

Colorado Pulse

have them actively engaged in the design

process. It’s not just about the building –

it’s about how it’s used. People use a cheap

building very differently than one that’s

been thoughtfully designed.”

She adds that it can be demoralizing when

great ideas must be eliminated from a proj-

ect (other than safety and code compliance)

because there just aren’t enough hours allot-

ted. “No one gets into architecture because they

want to design ‘just good enough,” explains Van

Do. “They want to do their best – something they

are proud of. When you cut your fees, it limits

what you can produce and what you can deliver.”

She adds, “For a designer, long hours and not

getting paid for the time invested – combined with

one’s contribution being unappreciated by the cli-

ent – leads to burnout, then turnover.”

In conclusion, Van Do points out that architects

are used to working within budgets and time con-

straints, but they also want to be realistic. “We know

that clients have a set budget, others they are respon-

sible to and objectives they need to meet, but as profes-

sionals, architects can’t provide the services a project re-

quires if they’re hamstrung with low fees,” she explains.

“The goal is fair and realistic fee structures that allow an

architect to deliver their best services within appropriate

parameters.

“There needs to be a give and take, and consideration

of the fair market value for our services. Constant cutting

serves no one in the end,” she adds.

POWERHOUSE ENERGY CAMPUS AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

7.5 20 50%

�berglass

window frame

efficiency rating

killowatts of

electric solar

power

energy savings

under current code

Named Top Green Project and the Colorado/Wyoming areas Best Overall Finalist by ENR Mountain States

‘Design services are often

thought of as a commodity,

like going to Costco.

Clients think if something

accomplishes basically the

same thing, why would I

spend the extra money? But

the devil is in the details.’

– Angela Van Do

Boulder Associates