Architects always face a tough choice making phase in every project. Should we give what client wants or should we give them what they need?

The decision-making process for architects involves a delicate balance between giving clients what they want and what they need. While clients’ wants are their expressed desires and preferences, their needs are the underlying requirements and considerations that contribute to a successful and functional architectural design. Here are some key points to consider when facing this dilemma:

1. Client Collaboration: Architects should engage in open and effective communication with clients from the beginning of the project. Actively listening to their wants and needs and involving them in the design process fosters a collaborative approach.
2. Understanding the Project Context: Architects must thoroughly understand the project context, including site conditions, regulations, budget limitations, and sustainability goals. These contextual factors help inform the decision-making process.
3. Professional Expertise: Architects bring their expertise to the table, considering factors beyond clients’ immediate wants. They analyze the functional requirements, spatial relationships, safety concerns, environmental impact, and long-term usability of the design.
4. Education and Guidance: Architects can educate clients about design principles, best practices, and potential implications of their decisions. This empowers clients to make informed choices that align with their wants while considering their needs.
5. Creative Problem-Solving: Architects can find innovative solutions that satisfy both the clients’ wants and needs. By exploring design alternatives and presenting options, architects can strike a balance that meets both objectives.
6. Prioritizing Client’s Well-being: While fulfilling clients’ wants is essential, architects have a responsibility to ensure the well-being, comfort, and safety of the users. Addressing the functional needs of the project is crucial in creating a successful design.
7. Communication and Compromise: Architects should maintain open and transparent communication with clients throughout the decision-making process. If conflicts arise between wants and needs, open discussions and compromise can help find a mutually satisfactory resolution.

Ultimately, architects aim to create designs that not only meet clients’ desires but also fulfill their needs for functionality, sustainability, and overall project success. By striking a balance between these two aspects and engaging in effective communication and collaboration, architects can navigate the decision-making process with clients in a way that delivers a design that satisfies both their wants and needs.