#Archit.Walkthroughs
13 messages in this thread
Thanks for your advice, its interesting to hear from someone on the otherside
off the globe how you work.
In Belgium the building sector is in a small crisis, mostly in industrial,
appartement, and government sponsored building projects. So far the bureau I
work in has been spared, because we even had an increase in work compared to
1992. We are a small bureau, we are 3,
My father also an architect is the boss, then you have me, and a third
architect working with us. (My grandfather also was an architect he employed 10
people once)
We do a lot off private housing, but I've been in Canada (Expo 86 Vancouver)
and it is different here, everyone who builds a house is obliged to go to an
architect to make a plan for their house (this is law), although 90procent of
the work goes to about 10procent of the architects. Next to that we are
specialised in elderly homes and psychiatrical institutions for our larger
projects. We also are protected by the order of architects, we have to ask at
least a minimum fee, for the larger projects this is no problem, for housing
however a lot of the architects work under that level cheating in fact, but you
have to sometimes to get work. For housing we get 7 procent, for larger
projects 6 to 4 procent depending on the costs of the project.
Getting back to 3Dstudio, the images impress our clients more then a plastic
model would do, you really can sell modern architecture much more easily
through photorealistic images. People are always difficult to convince for
modern architecture if they do not see an image, even a model doe not always
help, but an computer image overbluffs them :-).
By the end of the year I'll probably be able to tell you more about how I'm
getting on to sell my product, so I'll keep in touch to let you know my
progress. I have on advantage I'm the only architect in about a 50 km radius
working with 3Dstudio and the userclub I'm in is prepared to send architects in
my region to me if they want such images.
By for now
Christophe Van Oyen
As a former architect, I started into animation doing architectural renderings
and animations. Adter devoting my entire time to animation instead of
architecture I have found that architects are the biggest pain in the neck to
do animations or renderings for. No disrespect to any of them, I used to be
one, but they usually want a lot for very little. The other problem is that
most of the ones that use animation companies instead of doing it in house,
have very little understanding of the work that goes into an animation or
rendering. The majority of my clients are now outside of the architectural
proffesion. Though I take on a few now in then because I still love drawing
buildings, but they rarely make me much money.
By the way, I think that Belgiun (sp?) architects have the right idea by
getting laws to protect their proffesion. I see to many architects selling
their soles with long hours and lots of talent for peanuts. This is even more
true in hard times.
Hi Andrew,
I know architects are difficult to work for as well, because I'm one myself and
I also always want the very best for the cheapest price, if possible. I'm not
only trying to envisage architects to make renderings for, but I'll think I'll
have to start with them, as I know a lot of them. By the way which other
sectors or people you work for, it might be interesting to know maybe it might
give me some ideas. I was thinking to try to get in the immobilien sector here,
I have a few contacts, and some might be interested. The most difficult thing
remains to get started.
But I will not be able to do this as my sole profession, as my architectural
bureau has work left know for at least 10 years to come, so I would be a fool
to let this drop away. But as not many people overhere have the scills to work
with 3Dstudio, I'll like to use my knowledge to have some extra income.
By the way it is Belgium, Europe, capital Brussels. We are the only country in
Europe where the profession of an architect is so well protected. But we have
been under attack for the past years, mostly from building companies (who only
build houses) who think we are an obstacle to their profits. But we did strike
back, now they even need 2 architects, one working for them and one working for
their client unattached to their firm. The advantage is that be for plans can
be submitted to the city council they have to accompanied by form from the
order of architects which can see if the architect drawing those plans is
inscribed, otherwise he can not submit any plans.
Christophe
Christophe and Andrew:
Maybe we could start a club of architects who now do animations and don't
like working for architects!
Greg (charter member) Pyros, AIA
Greg
Sign me up for that club as long as you don't tell the AIA enforcement goons
that I'm not really an architect. (No education to overcome).
TedB
Ted:
>> don't tell the AIA enforcement goons that I'm not really an architect
Sorry, Ted, but I don't think you qualify. Remember, the main reason for
the club is to unlearn all that college education and licensing requirements
and study to help make ex-architects productive members of society. If you
haven't been through it, you are obviously way too far ahead of us already,
and we'd just hold you back!
Perhaps you could help us by chairing our AAA meetings (Architectural
Alcoholics Anonymous), the first of which will be at the Anaheim Marriott
on Sunday, August 1, in Gambits at 7:30pm!
Greg Pyros
Why not, but we should'nt through all our collegues over the same shoulder,
some of them are also good to work for.
By the way what is a "charter member", what AIA ??
Christophe Van Oyen
Christophe:
>> By the way what is a "charter member", what AIA ??
Charter member is one of the founders of the group, the word comes from one
who signed the original charter of the organization.
AIA stands for the American Institute of Architects, the professional
organization here in the 'States which requires you to be a licensed
architect to join.
>> Why not
TedB is far too intelligent to be associated with a group like that on a
permanent basis, but I've heard that he will give presentations to us when
he's in town!
Greg Pyros
Hi Greg,
>> >> Why not
>> TedB is far too intelligent to be associated with a group like that >> on a
permanent basis, but I've heard that he will give
>> presentations to us when he's in town!
Could you explain to me what you mean by that, because I have no clue.
I'm interested in getting more contact with AIA, I'm boardmember of NAV
(Nationaal Architekten Verbond) the largest Belgian professional architects
organisations (this is not the order of architects but more or less something
like a trade-union for architects), we give service to all our members (about
800 architects in Flanders), we have our own magazine, we take part in Fairs,
etc … and every board member has specific tasks, I'm representative for the
younger architects and one of the members responsible for the promotion of our
profession.
I'm thinking if I can get contact it could enrich our magazine, maybe vice
versa.
Christophe Van Oyen
Christophe:
You'd have to meet TedB to understand. (Ever see a video of ZZ Top?) A
true character, and wonderful 3D artist.
There must be a way for you to contact the proper people at the AIA national
chapter, which is located in Washington, DC. The phone number I have is
(202) 626-7438, which may not be the right extension, but they could
probably give you the proper one from there.
Good luck,
Greg Pyros
Greg
I will be sure to give a presentation of my intelligence after a few cold ones
in Gambits.<G and D>rool.
TedB
Ted:
Looking forward to it!
GregP
I was under the impression that they have similair lawws in Denmark. We had a
visiting proffesor from there when I was in school.
Other markets that you might try getting into that relate to architecture is
engineering and product designers. It is often easier to model and animate a
new idea or concept than produce a prototype. Other markets include forensic
animations for courtroom litigation, training tapes for industry, as well as
broadcast commercials. (The latter requires either a large investment in
equipment or a good output service.
Always interested in hearing from architects from other countries. My true
love will always be designing space, be it cyberspace or architecture.
Andrew