By Adeyinka Adeboye
From the days of Woli the great builder boss, architects have been advising people on-site not to change anything from their drawings.
Most architects are always on the lookout to see if there’s any deviation from their drawings. However, things have changed. With a lot of construction happening, builders on-site have become knowledgeable and practically oriented. When they notice something that won’t work, they must act.
Your drawings cannot be so rigid that one or two things can’t be changed, but there’s a procedure for making those changes.
Let me emphasize this: as a construction engineer, builder, or even as an architect, you do not have the right to change someone else’s drawing.
Whether it’s an architectural or structural drawing, you don’t have the right to alter it because, during the design process, you don’t know what the designer had in mind.
Yes, people make mistakes, and we often encounter glaring errors, but there is a procedure for addressing them.
Let me use a project I’m handling as an example. This project is part of the site I will use for the Lexis and Structure training.
When we received the drawing, we went straight to the site to assess the location. I discovered that the site is in a close , and my client’s plot happens to be the last building on the right. An estate fence turns that place into a closed-off space.
According to the architectural layout drawing, we had our entrance positioned towards that fence, meaning we would have to pass through the entire site before entering. I thought, why should we hide the beauty of the house? Why drive all the way down before entering the property?
Why not have the beauty of the house visible at the gate? Why not have the columns, entrance point, and everything located at the beginning of the plot?
That was my opinion, and I believed it was the best approach. Besides, the area near the end of the plot is sloped and would require filling to level the ground for vehicle access.
So, I discussed it with my client and explained the reasoning behind my suggestion. We then communicated with the architect.
Most of the time, architects are unaware of on-site conditions, but communication is crucial. Don’t make your fellow professionals look incompetent in front of your client by saying they don’t know what they’re doing.
If you approach it that way, the architect may insist that their drawing be followed strictly, and you have no right to change it.
Discuss the matter with your client first, then engage the relevant professional in a respectful and professional manner. The architect will see your reasoning, and you will consider theirs. Together, you will reach a solution and present your client with an improved view.
We are not here to argue or prove superiority to the client. Each of us has a specific role.
As an architect, you conceive the idea based on the client’s brief. You present it in a model, and the client loves it.
We are the ones who interpret it on the ground, ensuring functionality, stability, and other essential factors.
We need to work together as a team to ensure our client is happy with the result.
So, next time, communicate with your client first. There are many things you can change on-site, from door positions to entrance gates, building line distances to the fence, and soakaway placements. You can make these adjustments once you’re on-site.
Consider factors like the number of toilets and site slope to determine the soakaway location, as well as where you want your driveway to be. But always communicate with the professionals involved. Don’t be a solo builder or construction engineer.
Let everyone’s input be considered. I will teach the procedure for altering drawings and the key factors to consider when making changes on-site.
Always have the latest drawings available on-site at all times.
You will understand the procedure better during Lexis and Structure training Today and Tomorrow . It’s a fully online class. Be part of the training, and you’ll learn a lot.
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