"Architects design things we can't actually build."
It’s the age-old jab builders throw at architects, but I’m on a mission to prove the divide doesn't have to exist. I recently sat down to discuss how we can bridge the gap between "the poetic" and "the practical" in the building industry.
As a carpenter’s son, I’ve always had a foot in both worlds. I understand the builder’s frustration with unbuildable plans just as much as I value the architect’s need for design integrity. In this episode, I dive deep into my 'Align Build Collaboration' method—a strategy I developed to bring builders to the table from day one and eliminate those costly "surprises" on-site.
My Key Takeaways:
The Power of Early Involvement: Why I believe having a builder in the room during the design phase saves everyone time, money, and headaches.
Tender vs. Negotiated Contracts: My thoughts on weighing the traditional competitive bid against a more collaborative approach.
Sustainable by Design: How I approach creating climate-adapted, energy-efficient homes without sacrificing a shred of aesthetic beauty.
Collaborative Success: How I navigate the tension between professional contracts and the human relationships required to actually get a house built.
My work across residential and heritage projects has shown me that when we stop pointing fingers and start talking early, we don't just build better—we build smarter.