The Power of Small Architecture Firms
Deciding you need an architect is the first step in working towards a solution. The second step is choosing an architecture firm. With so many architecture firms in your local area and worldwide, it can be difficult to know whether you should go with a small architecture firm or a large one. Before you get to the interview stage and research topics like “10 questions to ask an architect in an interview”, you’ll want to start with competitive research. Try searching for local firms where you can visit their office and meet their people. Are you looking for residential or commercial architects?
5 Large Benefits of a Small Architecture Firm
While large architecture firms come with some advantages, you don’t want to miss the benefits of small architecture firms. Here are 4 LARGE benefits to consider:
Unified Understanding of Identity, Mission + Values
One of the most prominent benefits of a small architecture firm is its ability to be unified in identity, mission, and values as a firm. Large companies may lack a sense of direction and have competing visions with multiple partners, stakeholders, and leaders. In addition, employees may be siloed into their own departments with their own leadership structures which makes it difficult for standard-setting, communication, and collaboration throughout the company.
Small architecture firms offer a unified sense of identity. Naturally, with fewer people, it is easier to communicate mission and values including offering increased opportunities for constructive input that doesn’t overwhelm or tie down the group. Employees often feel more connected to their coworkers which creates in and out-of-office relationships.
Why does this matter? It’s important to work with a firm that not only aligns with your values, but also one that you can trust, has a unified goal, process, and methodology to which they work with clients, and tackle problems.
Increased Support + Attention
More people doesn’t always equate to higher customer service. While a firm might have two times or triple the amount of employees as its smaller counterpart, you may still receive the same if not less, attention depending on the size of your project. There might be more red tape and internal processes or workflows that can hinder the timeline or flexibility of the project.
One of the best small architecture firm benefits is our ability to provide personalized support and care as a team versus an account manager or a team lead. At studioTECHNE, we are thankful to have a talented, knowledgeable, and experienced team who can each provide insight and assistance within their areas of expertise. We are driven by the desire to meet your needs and identify the root of your issue, not the size of your project.
Building Personal + Strategic Relationships
Small architecture firms are built on strategic partnerships. With these partnerships, we offer clients the ability to tap into our network of trusted professionals. Larger firms have the advantage of offering in-house services to their clients, thus creating a “one-stop-shop”. Small architecture firms can still emulate this by leveraging their network of trusted professionals.
Through outsourcing some of the areas in which we are not experts, we are able to partner with other talented professionals who can offer years of experience and skills. This also allows us to focus on our part and make sure we are checking off every box.
Hyperfocus + Specialization
We can’t be everything to everyone. Many large firms have multiple departments and offer a wide range of services ranging from residential architecture to commercial. Some clients see this as a benefit; others might see it as the opposite.
With the ability to specialize in a certain area, we become not only the experts but the thought leaders on these subject matters. Being selective allows us to be laser-focused and continue to increase our knowledge and push industry boundaries. This allows you, as the client, to select the exact architecture firm to meet your project’s needs. If you are looking for someone to redesign your home or your yard, there are great small architecture firms who specialize in residential architecture. If you are looking for someone to develop a makerspace in your school, redesign your city’s library, or even build the next pedestrian bridge in your city, call us!
How studioTECHNE | Architects Sets Itself Apart
At studioTECHNE, we are makers and problem solvers. Through understanding who we are and being aligned in our mission, we are able to develop a tested and proven process that allows us to dive deeper into the needs of our clients and a glimpse at the root cause instead of providing a surface-level solution.
