All practicing architects are intimately familiar with the fact that the work never ceases – there is always some detail or tidbit that could be altered or perfected. Many factors are woven into the fabric that makes up the engineering process. So it often happens that the work doesn´t sleep. And if the work doesn´t sleep, neither does the architect. Planning buildings is a long, meticulous and oftentimes tedious process – a marathon, not a sprint.
Yes, and?
This incredible profession comes with great responsibility. It can cause those practicing it great stress. Everyone needs shelter; somewhere to work, play, learn, pray, eat. Ever since humankind has stopped dwelling in caves, it has been the architects´ job to ensure that people have a safe and comfortable space to live in. Throughout the ages architects have left an indelible mark on every corner of the planet, reaping the rewards but also bearing the burden of being tasked with shaping the world around us.
The sensation of finally seeing the work materialized is precisely what an engineer strives to achieve. All planning stages are subject to a multitude of influences and often restrictive parameters. Building regulations can hinder even the most creative of intentions, the availability of construction materials may pose an engineering challenge; client demands are to be taken seriously; the budget is king. These are only some of the obstacles that architects and their teams tackle on a daily basis, often resulting in long working hours, accumulated stress and an unsatisfactory work-life balance.
An architect is always concerned with making sure the demands of the client are met, the budget and schedule are kept in check and their own creative vision is fulfilled. Even when the architect has adhered to precise planning guidelines, deadlines can appear seemingly out of nowhere – causing delays with scheduling, construction timelines and (worst of all) defects – all very serious problems that the architect must resolve as soon as possible. The completion of a building is the crowning achievement of much hard work, years of study and a love for the craft – a great feat for the architects and their teams. A feat that often comes at great personal cost.
Work or life?
Sleeping in or getting out of the office early is unfortunately not often in the cards for an architect. The amount of time spent with loved ones or the focus on one´s own well-being can greatly suffer due to work-related reasons. If only time travel existed outside the confines of the silver screen, the daily grind of the building industry would be that much more manageable.
Whether needing to monitor a construction site, have early client meetings or simply get to the office and start project work – the schedule of an architect is often punishing. The work frequently doesn’t let up until late in the day, resulting in a lot of overtime (which sometimes remains unpaid). This profession, just like countless others, has fallen prey to the demands of contemporary life.
Sketching, an activity that used to require ink and paper, is now done on portable electronic tablets. Architectural design involves elaborate CAD software that allows the architect to immediately react to any alterations and share the plans with all who are involved in the project. Building Information Modelling has rendered hand-built architectural scale models obsolete. BIM has become a mainstay in the global construction sector, enabling the architect to collaborate ever more closely with specialists and external collaborators, portray their vision in incredible detail, at a tempo that was unheard of in decades past.
The planning process has long become digital. There is no turning back. Technological advancements have ensured the quickening pace of the construction industry. It is a curious paradox that the more machines can do for us, the less time we have for ourselves. Architects often handle multiple projects at a time, so finding an efficient way to reduce the time needed for each project is of essential importance to the success of a business and the health of its employees. Last year Reuters reported that the global construction market is expecting a growth up to 12.7 trillion US dollars by 2022. Construction activity is gathering momentum worldwide, bringing with it more and more deadlines – and with them more stress – for those who must plan and execute all these designs.
How can you up your game?
So what can an architect or a firm do to make their own lives easier? How can PlanRadar – a seemingly simple construction app – help you, the architect, achieve an even more efficient workflow, stay ahead of the competition and have more time to enjoy the fruits of your labor – and live your life?
- you won´t have to carry around bulky architectural plans
- you won´t have to stop by the office en route to the site – have your team upload those up-to-date plans directly into the app and view them on your mobile devices, at your leisure
- if you, as most architects, are simultaneously managing multiple projects and sites, PlanRadar will make sure that you have a detailed overview of each site in your own pocket – at any given time
- you can set tasks and reminders for yourself, your team and all those involved in the project
- you can drastically trim the time and paperwork needed to communicate with all project participants
- you can use PlanRadar´s innovative ticketing system to document all defects immediately on-site, reducing the need for time-consuming follow-ups at the office (such as uploading and processing images, sifting through hand-written notes and having to type them up, categorizing defects and having to delegate tasks per e-mail or telephone)
- you will always have access to all relevant project documents in the palm of your hand
- you can set up your projects in PlanRadar the way it works for you and your company – the tickets are fully customizable
- you can make annotations directly in the plan, regardless of where you are, and immediately send the alterations to your team
- you can make sure you and your team will enjoy an improved work-life balance because the time spent on these unavoidable but time-consuming tasks will be reduced by up to 7 work hours per week. Happier workers produce better work.
But don´t take our word for it, we know engineers like to try things out for themselves. Get yourself a free 30-day trial and see what PlanRadar can do for you. We already know you are going to enjoy those extra 7 hours.
