Selecting an Architect for your building project in the Samoa market

Okay so your in the market to find an architect who can help you navigate the building design and construction process to get to your end goal of a building. So what do you do in a Small Island Developing State like Samoa to select one in a design market that can be characterized as a no corporate welfare here, capitalism at its finest, deregulated free-for-all! There's no Architects Act or legislation to govern the practice of architecture and caveat emptor reigns supreme.

In the market setting I've painted above, anyone can call themselves an architect. Even a CAD jockey with 6 months of 3D modeling skills, some design-builders and even those hocking an infringing copy of someone else’s construction drawings. Yes, it makes for a competitive market, but, it also makes it a risky one, especially if you're thinking of a mortgage and putting yourself at financial risk to procure a building to support your business or build a home. You need someone who is more than a "tusiata" or picture drawer, an architect you choose will become a trusted adviser.

So what's the quickest way to cull the herd in selecting an architect. Ring and make appointments to go in and interview a few. Sure, the interviews, may cost you time and leg work going from office to office interviewing, but it's nothing compared to the financial risk you will undertake of a selection error and your architect fails to help deliver a building that meets your specific needs. Once the building is completed you're stuck with it and the mortgage for the foreseeable future.

As for the Interview;

• Check their educational background, its a 5 year university program to study architecture,
• Ask to see examples of their built work,
• Ask to talk to some of their previous clients,
• Check their experience ask for a résumé, it will give you insight into the range of buildings previously undertaken,
• Ask them of what processes they undertake to help you get your building,
• Ask for their business license, why because, it identifies that are in the market to make a quick tala at your expense and if they will be around to help you at the drop of a call when you need them most.

Generally, most architects have a genuine sense of professional responsibility to client and community. The interviewing process will give you an idea of the latter, their credibility and whether you want to work with them or not. Even if you did'nt select anyone, you'll have walked away in half an hour learning a little something about the design process of buildings to help in your journey of selecting an architect.

When you feel you're found an architect your comfortable with, it will help if you know what sort of building you want by describing a simple list of spaces and/or processes that need to be accommodated in the building. You can provide sketches of what you want but it's not necessary.

With that simple list or sketch any architect worth their salt should be able to give you a written fee proposal, listing the procedures they will undertake and items they will deliver for the fees stated. That fee proposal will also form the contract between yourself and the architect, so you can hold him or her to what they promised for the fee.