Why Supervision Is Essential
I believe that an architect who doesn’t supervise construction is not truly fulfilling their role. When you design, you must understand the realities of the field to propose good solutions for your clients. This is especially true in places like Nicaragua, a tropical country where weather conditions—humidity, intense sun, and heavy rain—make building a real challenge.
My Experience with a North American Architecture Studio
A few months ago, I met with an architect from a North American studio. They reached out to me because someone who had watched my videos wanted a proposal from my studio to develop a project in a high-end development on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast. This studio already had their own architectural designs, but they needed a local architect to develop and adapt those ideas to our tropical environment.
I reviewed their proposal and admired its quality. However, during our discussions, the architect told me they might hire me only for the supervision stage. I think this decision came from the fact that I openly share on my social media how we supervise and build the projects we design. I truly love being involved in the construction process and sharing how our ideas become reality.
The Importance of Being on Site
For me, an architect who doesn’t visit the construction site or talk with the contractor is missing a fundamental part of the job. Designs are based on theory, but if those ideas don’t work in practice, then the design philosophy needs to be reconsidered. Construction is where I and my team learn the most, and I often bring them to supervision visits so they can see firsthand how the 3D models or drawings translate into physical structures.
If an architect remains only in the office creating drawings without experiencing construction, they won’t improve their skills or design buildings that last over time. I admit I have made mistakes in my designs, but I only realized them when I saw the construction in progress. This real-time learning is invaluable.
Challenges and Misconceptions
Sometimes, contractors think architects are unrealistic or “crazy” because they don’t understand the construction process or because some architects don’t engage in it. That’s why I emphasize the importance of architects living through the construction phase, especially here in Nicaragua. It’s the only way to truly learn how things are done locally.
Moreover, architecture involves more than just the building’s appearance. We must consider structure, plumbing, electrical systems, and more. If I don’t see how the plumbing network is built, for example, I might propose something that causes problems later for the contractor and my client.
Reflections on My Role and Lessons Learned
During that meeting, the North American architect told me that perhaps I wasn’t the right person for the design phase. Ultimately, I only supervise my own projects because I cannot oversee another designer’s philosophy. This experience taught me an important lesson: before starting your own architecture office, you need to have some construction experience. Without it, you will face many difficulties in your architectural career.
So, I ask you:
Would you trust an architect who doesn’t visit your construction site?
I think supervision is fundamental for successful architecture. I welcome your thoughts in the comments—I will be reading and sharing my responses.
👉 If you want a more private conversation, please send me an email to: design@rlastudionic.com
Thank you for reading. If you found this perspective useful, please share it with others and stay tuned for more content like this.
