Jonathan Tate, a New Orleans based architect and developer, constructed a series of 12 new homes in an experimental multi-family residential infill project in the Irish Channel area of the city in a bid for density, sustainability, and affordability. Construction projects usually involve different entities: developers, architects, engineers, and contractors. The common process in commercial real estate development – a developer hires an architect, who consults an engineer on technical details, to deliver a set of construction drawings, and the contractor comes in to build what is specified. This traditional linear approach could lead to soured relationships because it is so fragmented, as the parties do not generally share the same goal: contractors focus on construction means and methods, developers are looking at the bottom line, and architects and engineers value their technical expertise. However, if everyone works more closely, all sides see advantages. In this case, sometimes architecture firms develop their own projects, calling themselves “design-build” firms. An architect playing the part of also a developer appeals to some because of the greater business and creativIty potential.
Discussion Question: What benefits and drawbacks pair up with architects playing the role of developers in our cities and the world?
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